Dubbed the most anticipated compact camera of the year, the DP1 was instantly acclaimed for its sensor size, raw capture and fast lens, but still met criticism for its slow processing engine.

The DP2, which will be released in March 2009, will feature a faster True II processing engine, designed to speed up proceedings.

The lens has also been modified. The DP2 will be fitted with a faster 24.2mm f/2.8 optic, equivalent to 41mm in 35mm format. 'A lot of photographers wanted something between 35mm and 50mm,' says Paul Reynolds of Sigma UK. The DP1 fits a 16.6mm f/4 fixed lens (or 28mm in 35mm format).

The DP2 will share most of its predecesor's features, including its body, metering and exposure modes and 2.5-inch LCD screen. It will also have a hot shoe, allowing the use of dedicated external flashguns such as the EF-140 DG.

The DP1 will not be discontinued, says Reynolds. 'We will run the two together so that people can have a choice between two compact cameras with different lenses,' he tells BJP. While its price has not yet been set, the DP2 is expected to be slightly more expensive than its predecesor.

Sigma has also announced the upcoming launch of the SD15 digital SLR. The 14 million pixel resolution camera will sport a Foveon X3 sensor, which Sigma claims 'can capture all primary RGB colours at each and every pixel location arranged in three layers'. It also features the True II image processing engine, providing enough power to reproduce high definition pictures 'rich in gradation'.

Sigma has not released any additional detail about the DSLR, which is still under development. Reports elswhere suggest a similar resolution to Sigma's existing digital SLR, but that the camera will have faster capture rates and a larger screen.

In other news, Sigma has unveiled its new 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM zoom lens. The large aperture lens has a Super Multi Layer Coating to reduce flare and ghosting. One Extraordinary Low Dispersion glass, two Special Low Dispersion glass elements and three aspherical lenses provide correction of all types of aberrations, Sigma claims.

The lens also features a Hyper Sonic Motor, to ensure a quiet and high speed autofocus as well as full time manual focusing capability. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 38cm and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:5.3. The rounded nine-blade diaphragm creates an attractive blur, claims Sigma.

It will be available for Nikon, Canon, Sigma mounts first, followed by Pentax and Sony mounts later on, Reynolds says. Price and availability have not been communicated.

Visit www.sigma-imaging-uk.com.