The DP2 looks the same as its predecessor and has some of the same pluses and minuses.

Sigma caused something of a stir just over a year ago when it released the DP1, a small-sized digital camera with a digital SLR-sized imaging sensor inside. Though that camera's clunky design and glacial operating speed drew a fair share of criticism, many reviewers seemed willing to overlook some of its faults because of the stunning image quality it produced.

Indeed, when I reviewed the DP1 in these pages in June 2008 I wrote that its image quality was "near the best I've seen" in a compact camera, adding that my photos from the Sigma were on par with those captured with entry-level digital SLRs.

Just over a year later, Sigma has come back with the DP2, a camera that changes very little from the previous model and, consequently, has made it harder for me to overlook its glaring deficiencies this time around. I found the DP2 so annoying to shoot with during recent travels in Europe that I gave up after a day and switched to the bigger and, it should be said, better Canon 5D Mark II.

In fact, what I found while traveling with the DP2 is that one of its oft-sited strengths—its small size—is actually misleading. Since the camera must extend its telescoping fixed-focal length (41mm equivalent) lens to shoot—which it does slowly and noisily—it becomes far too big to fit in your pocket. The result is you have to carry the now awkwardly balanced DP2 gingerly at your side with one hand, or use the enclosed camera strap and wear it around you neck.

The result? A) You look like a tourist; and B) It sort of defeats the purpose of having a "pocket camera" in the first place.

In the end, I found the bulkier 5D Mark II to be the much better traveling companion thanks to its comfortable grip and fast overall speed. Regarding image quality, while the DP2, like the DP1, might stack up fine against rival point-and-shoot models, it's nothing compared to the 5D Mark II, nor even to more recent entry-level DSLRs such as the excellent Nikon D5000 or Canon Rebel T1i.

In short, what seemed so exciting a year ago—being able to fit a DSLR-sized (APS-C) sensor inside a small camera—doesn't impress as much in 2009. But while the DP2 may feel like a letdown as a follow-up to the DP1, is it still a decent camera that's worthy of including in your camera bag? Read on and find out.


TWIN BROTHER?

There's very little to distinguish the DP2 from the DP1 in terms of looks. In fact, the two cameras are nearly identical. Though I didn't have a major problem with the DP1's design—and in fact, kind of liked its basic black, classic styling—there are some annoying hiccups I really wished Sigma had fixed with the new model.

For one, the tiny buttons on the back of the DP2, like its predecessor, are labeled with recessed, black letters and icons that are impossible to decipher on the all-black body. The only way to figure out what the functions are is to pull the camera close to your eye and tilt it so there's no glare. Very annoying and another reason why this camera is so slow to operate.

The other area I wish Sigma had added to the DP2 is some better way to grip the camera. Like the DP1, there's only a grid of small bumps on the front of the DP2 for your fingers to rest on and I found it hard to get a firm hold on the camera when shooting, especially once the lens extends. And this is definitely a camera you don't want to drop since that extended lens is very fragile.

In terms of specs, the only major difference between the two cameras is that the DP2's lens has a narrower focal length—41mm compared to 28mm on the older camera—but a faster maximum aperture, f/2.8 compared to f/4. At first, this change seemed like an odd choice to me. Sure, everyone loves a faster lens but why give us a narrower lens? Shouldn't a camera that's designed for street and travel photography offer a wide angle lens for shooting, especially since it's a fixed focal length?

After posing this question to Sigma, I discovered that the company is actually going to keep the older model in the line-up rather than replace it with the DP2. That's good news to budget-conscious photographers since the DP1 has dropped drastically in price since the new camera was unveiled. Last I checked it was selling for $384 at Amazon.com. In contrast, the DP2 has an MSRP of $870 though you can easily find it on the Web for $650.

Even if they were equal in price, I might still go for the DP1 because of the wider lens. Sigma is billing the new camera as designed for portrait photography because of the narrow focal length and the faster aperture and while this may be true, the only portraits you're going to be able to capture with this camera are posed shots—not candids—since like it's predecessor, the DP2 is slow as molasses to use.


SLOW POKE

Even after a firmware upgrade designed to improve the DP2's autofocus speed, the camera took just under two seconds to lock in its focus. (The camera uses nine focusing points which are manually selectable.) This is slightly better than the DP1 but certainly nothing to write home about. In real world shooting situations, it feels like a lifetime, especially if you're photographing a subject that's not a landscape or a snail.

Even prior to that, it takes about four seconds for the camera to power on and extend its lens. And if you accidentally left the lens cap on while it powers up, the camera will scoldingly tell you to start all over from the beginning.

In addition to autofocus, there's a somewhat crude though effective manual focus option that involves turning a dial on the camera body until you get a sharp image. You can also digitally magnify your image in this mode to make sure you have it as sharp as you want it.

Again, though I was willing to overlook some of these annoyances with the DP1 because I was so jazzed that Sigma was the first and still the only manufacturer—at the time of this writing—to put a DSLR sensor into a small camera, this time around it was aggravating.