http://forum.xitek.com/showthread.php?threadid=488603

 

来源：
http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/index.htm

http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/news/DP1_UpdateMessage_071130

全文如下：

Dear Valued Customers,

Over one year has passed since we announced the DP1 and showed the first concept prototype at photokina 2006. At the following PMA in March, 2007, we showed some redesigned engineering samples of the DP1. Since then, we have not made any announcements on the DP1. I apologize for this lack of information, and I would like to give you an update on the development status of the DP1 now.

After PMA, we reached the pre-beta product development stage early in the summer. During this pre-beta work, we tried to optimize the image quality, but we found it was difficult to achieve image quality as good as in our other SD cameras. The images looked okay, but they clearly did not have the special image qualities that we see in our SD cameras: delicate, refined and 3-dimensional images rendered in fine detail. After a careful evaluation, we found that the image processing pipeline we had developed for the DP1 was not ideal for achieving the best image quality as it was intended for the faster image processing speed, and we needed to make major revisions to it. At that time we had a choice between compromising image quality and moving forward or taking a different path. After long and sometimes intense discussions, we finally decided to change the entire image processing pipeline.

When we decided to change the entire image processing pipeline, we also decided to return to the simple and original product concept of "a camera with the best still image quality in a compact body" and dedicate all of our DP1 development resources to that concept. Because of this change, we had to change some of the specifications that we had announced. (An official announcement with the final specifications will be made at the appropriate time.) However, as far as I can judge from what I see in the current version of the DP1, I am convinced that the camera is moving in the right direction now.

I would like to inform our community of loyal and prospective users that we have now started the next major phase leading towards production. At the beginning of November, we began alpha testing of what we feel will be the final design. Unless we encounter serious unforeseen problems, we now think that the following development steps will progress well.

We are very aware of the many discussions in the Internet about the length of time we are spending on the development of the DP1. We have also read about the disappointment of many prospective users who wanted this camera very soon after the announcement. Although we know that many people would like to know when the DP1 will be available for sale, we honestly cannot say at the moment. Much will depend on how smoothly the next development steps go. Also, we feel that it is much more important to get it right than release it early.

We have also noted the many different ways people want to be able to use the DP1. This is heartening. However, we hope that prospective users look carefully at the finished product in light of how they intend to use it. Like our previous digital cameras, this will be a tool for photographers who value excellent image quality above all else – this time in a smaller package. It will also be a good camera for people who would like to see this quality in their own results. And, finally, we are also sure that creative users will find many uses for the DP1 that we have not even thought of.

Again, I deeply apologize for the length of the time you have been holding out for the DP1 and appreciate your patience very much. I know it is difficult for some of you to wait a little more time, but we’re working very hard to deliver a camera that we think will be worth the wait.

Thank you very much.

Kazuto Yamaki
Chief Operating Officer
SIGMA CORPORATION

 

柯纳翻译：

 

亲爱的重要客户：

自从我们在Photokina 2006公布DP1并展示概念样机到现在已经过去一年了。随后在2007年3月的PMA我们展示了一些重新设计的DP1样机。从此以后我们就没有发布任何DP1的新闻。我为没有公布消息向各位道歉，同时请容许我向大家报告DP1研发状况。

PMA结束后我们的研发在早夏达到Beta测试前阶段。在这个阶段我们尝试优化图像质量但我们发现非常困难得到与我们其他SD相机相同的质量。图像看上去还可以但显然他们缺乏在我们其他SD相机上的那些特殊画质：特别、精细和立体并具有丰富细节的图像。经过仔细研究我们发现专为DP1设计的图像处理管道（引擎）并不能得到优秀质量而更加适合快速图像处理速度，因此我们需要进行重大改进。当时我们面临着选择继续往前走而对图像质量作出妥协，或者采取另外一个方向。经过漫长而且有时非常激烈的讨论后，我们最后决定更改整个图像处理引擎。

当我们决定更改整个图像处理引擎时，我们同时决定回到原来的简单设计理念：一个具有最优秀图像质量的小体积相机，并让整个DP1设计队伍忠实于这个理念。因为这个改变，我们必须改变一些原来宣布过的技术指标。（有关最终技术指标将在合适时间正式公布。）不过以我自己对目前版本DP1的观察，我坚信相机设计往正确方向发展。

我向我们的忠实和未来客户说我们现在开始移到下一个向正式生产发展前的重要阶段。从11月开始我们开始Alpha测试（内部测试），使用我们相信是最终（硬件）设计。除非我们遇到没有预见的严重问题，我们现在觉得后面的发展将会顺利进行。

我们非常清楚互联网上有关我们花了长时间设计DP1的讨论。我们也看到很多消息公布后就想要这台相机客户的失望。虽然我们知道很多人希望知道DP1何时开始发售，现在我们真的不能说。这取决于下一个阶段的顺利程度。此外我们觉得要把事情做对比早点发布更重要。

我们也注意到用户希望用不同方式使用DP1，这让我非常欣惠。不过，我们希望未来客户仔细研究最终产品后再决定如何使用这个产品。和我们以前的数码相机一样，这是一个对那些重视画像质量高于一切摄影师的一个工具，而这次是一个很紧凑的包装。这对于那些希望亲自得到这些高质量用户也是一个好选择（？）。最后，我们坚信一些有创意的用户会发掘出我们没有想到的用途来使用DP1。

我再次为大家等待DP1所付出的时间而抱歉，并非常感谢你们的耐心。我知道你们还要等待再多一点时间的困难，但我们会非常努力地做出一个我们认为值得等待的相机。

非常感谢各位。

适马公司运营总官山木和人(Kazuto Yamaki) 【译注：CEO Michihiro Yamaki的儿子，在美国长大】