DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY NEWS FROM ePHOTOzine

  Key OS Differences Affecting Everyday Use

The battle between iOS and Android continues to define the smartphone landscape. iOS, available only on Apple devices, offers a closed, highly optimised system with deep integration across its own ecosystem. Android, meanwhile, powers a wide variety of handsets from Samsung, Google, OnePlus, and others, offering more choice, customisation, and price flexibility.

iOS typically presents a smoother learning curve for users accustomed to simplicity and a polished interface. Android, however, appeals to those who value granular control, with options to personalise everything from the home screen layout to app automation.

 

Photography Tools & Camera Performance

While hardware varies widely across Android models, flagship devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Google Pixel 8 Pro now compete head-to-head with the latest iPhone 15 Pro in photographic performance.

• Android highlights: Multiple lens setups, higher-resolution sensors, and extensive manual controls in native apps.
• iOS strengths: Apple’s computational photography and ProRAW capabilities offer exceptional results for those editing in post.

For photographers, the availability of professional apps like Lightroom Mobile, Snapseed, and Halide on both platforms ensures high-quality editing on the go. However, iOS still holds an edge in third-party app optimisation and smoother workflow integration with macOS devices.

 

Security, Ecosystem, and Smart Features

iPhones are widely seen as the more secure option, thanks to Apple’s strict App Store policies and hardware-level encryption. However, Android has made significant strides with regular security updates and sandboxed app access, especially on Google Pixel devices.

Smart assistant integration also differs. Android leads with Google Assistant’s superior contextual understanding and smart home integration. Siri, though improving, still lags in flexibility and command interpretation.

Photographers using smart displays, voice-activated editing reminders, or cloud storage tools may find Android a more fluid experience, though Apple’s iCloud Photo Library offers seamless syncing across devices.

 

 

App Compatibility and File Management

For those working with RAW files, large image libraries, or cloud-based editing apps, Android's openness offers more flexibility in file handling and storage management. iOS users benefit from more intuitive, app-centric workflows but may find file transfer or cross-platform sharing slightly more restrictive.

That said, both platforms now support RAW editing, 10-bit HDR playback, and integration with cloud platforms like Dropbox, OneDrive, and Adobe Creative Cloud.

 

Price and Upgrade Considerations

Android phones come in a wide range of prices, from entry-level models under £200 to ultra-premium devices exceeding £1,200. iPhones, by contrast, occupy a narrower, more premium range. However, Apple devices retain higher resale value and typically receive OS updates for longer.

For buyers looking to stretch their budget, discount platforms like Discoup.com list promotional codes and offers for both iOS and Android devices across a range of UK retailers, allowing users to access flagship tech at more accessible prices.

 

Final Thoughts

Whether upgrading your smartphone for better photo performance or switching ecosystems entirely, the decision between Android and iOS should go beyond brand loyalty. Consider your photography needs, editing workflow, device compatibility, and long-term value.

For many creatives, the choice comes down to flexibility vs. integration, and both platforms now offer compelling tools for mobile photographers at every level.

 

[SECTION]INTRODUCTION[/SECTION]

 

 

Quick Verdict

A camera that has eye-catching style, but more than that can deliver eye-catchingly superb results. There are perhaps mixed feelings about the handling and the lack of image stabilisation in particular, but for travel, landscape and general social photography the BF will deliver the goods.

 

Take a solid block of Aluminium, add no doubt some phenomenally expensive drilling equipment with copious amounts of oil to cool all the drilling, and we end up with the very different looking Sigma BF. Sigma have never been afraid of pushing the boundaries with different camera designs, and this is a very obviously unique piece of kit. Minimalistic in appearance and also in ergonomic approach, with few switches and dials and a very heavy dependence on combinations of button pressing and a touch sensitive screen. There are plenty of camera designs for both button and dial enthusiasts and menu driven enthusiasts, so let's see if the Sigma BF can win the day with its sleek, less-is-more styling and operation as well as due consideration being given to the quality of the images it produces.

 

Sigma BF Features

The camera feels chunky and solid, as well it might considering its unibody construction, but weighs in at a surprisingly light 388g, or 446g including battery. Normally that might read "battery and card" but in this instance the BF has no card slot, but a built in storage of some 230GB. There is a USB-C interface, covering recharging, data transfer and also the attachment of external storage devices. When attached to a computer, the camera acts as a mass storage device and images can be transferred. However, there's no card to be removed and stored separately as another backup and this may or may not be an issue for the individual photographer.

The body is dust and splash resistant, but has no image stabilisation built in. There is electronic stabilisation for video only. The top plate has the shutter release. The front has the L mount. The bottom plate houses the battery that is a complete unit that requires no battery compartment door, plus the substantial looking tripod mount.

 

 

The back has the 3.2" touch sensitive TFT monitor with 2,100,000 dots and this is of course the only way of composing images as there is no EVF. There is also a small status window that displays whatever parameter is currently selected. This can then be instantly altered using the rotary dial. The centre button on the dial selects the opportunity to change the selected parameter. There is an info button that opens up more detail, a playback and an on/off, thus completing the very basic methods of accessing the camera's functions. 

The specification is detailed below, but we have a 24.6 MP Full Frame CMOS BI sensor, giving images of 6016 x 4012 pixels. Operational temperature range is 0C to 40C. Drive options include a video setting, offering 6K 30p, 4K, FHD and 120fps. Subject detection covers humans and animals, humans or animals. The electronic shutter has speeds of 30s - 1/25,600s plus B (up to 5 minutes). Frame rates are 3, 5 and 8 fps.

To complete the picture, the Contemporary lenses 17mm f/4, 20mm f/2, 24mm f/2, 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2, 45mm f/2.8, 50mm f/2, 65mm f/2 and 90mm f/2.8 are available with the same Aluminium finish as the camera body, albeit it in some instances (but not all) at a higher price than their black counterparts.

 

 

Sigma BF Key Features

• Full Frame
• L Mount
• 24.6MP CMOS BI sensor
• Formats 21:9, 16:9, 3:2, A, 4:3, 6x7, 1:1
• 13 Colour modes
• 230GB Internal Storage
• 14 bit DNG/JPEG
• Electronic shutter 30s - 1/25,600s + B (up to 5 minutes)
• Drive rates 3, 5, 8 fps
• Hybrid AF -5 to +18 EV
• Subject detection humans + animals, humans, animals
• Exposure metering range -7EV to +20EV
• ISO range 100-102,400
• 3.2” fixed touch sensitive LCD monitor, 2.1M dots
• 6K 30p
• 4K
• FHD 120fps
• Operation 0C to +40C
• Splash and dust resistance
• Li-Ion BP-81 battery - 260 images/60mins video
• 446g including battery
• 130.1mm x 72.8mm x 36.8mm

 

Sigma BF Handling

This is a tricky one to approach, as it might well claim to be a uniquely new approach to ergonomic design. I doubt that it could be considered intuitive in that multiple combinations buttons need to be pressed to find and alter the common parameters. P, A, S and M modes are clear enough, but some of the other settings are opaquely placed. A video switch would have been useful, but instead, selection is found under the drive options. In the end, Aperture Priority was used almost exclusively, with the aperture ring on the lens, and this proved to be the most useful combination. Other photographers will disagree and use different settings, and that is fair enough. Can buttons be pressed accidentally? They can and were, especially at first, so the use can be somewhat fiddly. It merits constant checking, especially that the focus point has not been inadvertently shifted. 

The AF is snappy and accurate, so no problem there. Likewise, exposure is accurate and when the exposure compensation is selected, then that can be easily altered by using the rotary dial. Thus handling does start to come together and after a while things start to flow. It is still potentially fiddly, but more likeable and certainly delivering some superb quality images.

The electronic shutter does not seem to read particularly quickly, so distortion of moving wheels and fan blades, for example, is quite obvious. It is not a problem with still subject matter. 

Is the unibody Aluminium construction an advantage? It results in a very angular appearance, with sharp edges. The review sample has been through a few users, and already the edges on the body and even the lens hood are showing small nicks that we would not expect to see in, say, a plastic bodied camera. However in terms of appearance it is certainly an eye-catcher and more than one complete stranger asked what it was, although it might be vaguely insulting that the camera is noticed before the photographer...

Handling issues are one thing, and with such a unique design one photographer's approach might be quite different from another's. For those who like few buttons and dials and a menu-driven design ethos, then here it is. The final benefit of all this has to be the excellent image quality and a camera best suited to still subject matter.

 

[SECTION]PERFORMANCE[/SECTION]

Sigma BF Performance

The performance section is where we look at the image quality performance of the camera. Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.
 

Sigma BF Sample Photos Previous Next

 

Lens Performance – The Sigma 35mm f/2 DG Contemporary lens has been previously tested and reviewed, and found to be an excellent and Highly Recommended performer. 

 

A summary of the performance:

Sharpness leaves nothing to be desired. Centrally, it is excellent from f/2 to f/4, outstanding at f/5.6 and f/8, excellent at f/11 and f/16 and still very good at f/22. The edges are very good at f/2 and f/2.8, excellent at f/4, outstanding at f/5.6 and f/8, excellent at f/11, very good at f/16 and it is only at f/22 that things soften to still being reasonably good. Still, this is an outstanding result generally and even at f/22 the lens can be used to obtain very satisfactory results. 

CA (Chromatic Aberration) is measured with any in-camera corrections switched off, as far as we can know anyway, and the end result is almost no CA at the centre. The edges do show colour fringing in demanding subjects such as branches against the bright sky. If this is a problem then the corrections in-camera can be switched on or other software can be used. 

Distortion measures -2.16% barrel, again with corrections switched off, and this is quite obvious when we have straight lines at the edge of the image. Of course, many subjects will not find this to be a problem, but if it is either in-camera or software solutions are available.

Bokeh is helped considerably by the rounded diaphragm and is very pleasant. It may not be so critical in a wide-angle lens where the objective may be to maximise depth of field, but if out of focus backgrounds are required then the bokeh is very easy on the eye.

Flare resistance is excellent and no flare is generally visible, even under quite demanding situations.

Vignetting is obvious wide open, but stopping down soon sees it brought under control to quite reasonable levels. Again though, with the right subject matter, vignetting can be useful, and correction can be switched on in-camera or other software can be used.

 

Sigma BF ISO test images Previous Next

 

ISO Performance – Noise levels are controlled well, with clean images up to and including ISO 400. Noise starts to creep in, but is still subtle and sharpness is well maintained from ISO 800 to ISO 3200. There is a dip at ISO 6400, which can be regarded as the limit for the best quality. ISO 12800 and ISO 25600 perform well, with very obvious noise but a good retention of detail. ISO 52200 and ISO 102400 lose the plot, noise takes over and although the boxes on the test chart retain their integrity, sharpness is not good. Overall, an impressive performance.

 

Sigma BF White-balance test images Previous Next

 

White Balance – The options are AWB, AWB ambient, tungsten, fluorescent, daylight, cloudy and shade. Most of the images were shot using the AWB setting with ambient light priority and this seemed to serve most eventualities very well.

 

Sigma BF Digital filters Previous Next

 

Digital Filters – Sigma describe the digital filters as Colour Modes and the following are offered: Standard, Rich, Calm, Powder Blue, Warm Gold, Teal & Orange, FOV Classic Blue, FOV Classic Yellow, Forest Green, Sunset Red, Cinema, 709 Look and Monochrome. Given the current popularity of monochrome images and even cameras, the mono choices could be usefully expanded. Otherwise, a curious choice in many ways, but the show stopper seems to be Warm Gold, which caught the attention of the non-photographers who glanced at the images as they were being prepared.

 

 

Video –  The BF has a basic specification that covers casual video shooting, but it seems unlikely that this would be chosen as a primarily video shooting camera.

• 6K, 4K, FHD 120fps
• H.264, H.265, L-Log
• Electronic image stabilisation (video only feature)
• 60 minutes shooting battery life

 

[SECTION]VERDICT[/SECTION]

 

Value For Money

The [AMUK]Sigma BF|Sigma+BF[/AMUK] body is priced at £1969.00

The full range of silver finish lenses to match the camera covers 17mm, 20mm, 24mm, 35mm, 45mm, 50mm, 65mm and 90mm. The lenses are well made and well priced. Some have a premium price over the black versions, but this seems to be variable and many are the same price.

• 17mm f/4, £579
• 20mm f/2, £659
• 24mm f/3.5, £489
• 24mm f/2, £579
• 35mm f/2, £579
• 45mm f/2.8, £659
• 50mm f/2, £649
• 65mm f/2, £659
• 90mm f/2.8, £579

With quirky designs like the BF there may be no direct competitors, but we can look at alternative 24MP compact full frame cameras:

• [AMUK]Panasonic Lumix S9|Panasonic+Lumix+S9[/AMUK], £999
• [AMUK]Sigma Fp L|Sigma+Fp+L[/AMUK], £1999
• [AMUK]Sigma fp|Sigma+fp[/AMUK], £1599
• [AMUK]Sony A7C II|Sony+A7C+II[/AMUK], £1899

This leaves the Sigma BF a bit short on specifications and facilities and relying on its unique construction and style to justify its premium price position.

 

Sigma BF Verdict

The Sigma BF is clearly capable of producing some superb images. Stills photographers looking for quality in travel, landscape, portrait, social, still life and general image making will not be disappointed. The BF is less suitable for fast moving subjects because of the rolling shutter distortion so is probably not for sports enthusiasts, or indeed racing and motor sports. It is also very menu-oriented so if that suits the photographer that's fine, but less fine for those who prefer dedicated dials and buttons.

It is quirky, which is a good thing in that individuality in design means that those who gel with the concepts have something ideal for them. The maverick who stands out from the crowd will appreciate the eye-catching design and the simple good feeling of using well made, individualistic technology that delivers the goods. 

The lack of some commonly desired facilities such as image stabilisation will trouble the mainstream of users, as will the Aluminium uniblock design that is all about style but perhaps has fewer practical benefits. So although there's no recommendation for the general photographers, we can recognise the quality, the unique style and the excellent lenses that could be absolutely spot on for the individual.

 

Sigma BF Pros

• Superb image quality
• Stylish design
• Impressive ISO performance
• Creative Filter options
• Dust and splash resistance
• High quality lens range at keen price levels
• L mount

 

Sigma BF Cons

• No image stabilisation
• No EVF
• No articulated screen
• Sharp edges prone to damage
• No memory cards

 

[REVIEW_FOOTER]R_features=3.5|R_handling=3.5|R_performance=4.5|R_value=3.5|R_overall=3.5|A_level=3.5|A_text=A stylish and individualistic camera that delivers superb image quality|E_id=8016[/REVIEW_FOOTER]

 

View the Sigma BF camera specs in the equipment database.

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