SIGMA

Sigma Corporation is a Japanese imaging company founded in 1961 by Michihiro Yamaki in Tokyo. The company primarily manufactures cameras, lenses and imaging equipment, with their main manufacturing facility located 300km north of Tokyo. Known initially as a lens manufacturer, Sigma expanded into camera production and made a significant move in November 2008 by acquiring sensor developer Foveon Inc. In 2018, Sigma entered the L-mount alliance with Leica and Panasonic, further expanding their presence in the digital imaging market.

Sigma offers several key product lines in the imaging industry:

- Digital Cameras: Sigma produces digital cameras including the fp series, which features the world's smallest and lightest full-frame mirrorless camera. The fp L, launched in 2021, comes with a 61MP full-frame sensor and features hybrid autofocus combining contrast and phase detection. - Camera Lenses: Sigma produces high-quality lenses across three distinct lines: Art lenses for premium optical performance, Contemporary lenses balancing performance with portability, and Sports lenses designed for action and wildlife photography. - Mount Adapters: The company produces mount adapters like the MC-11, allowing photographers to use Sigma lenses across different camera systems.

In recent strategic moves, Sigma joined the L-Mount Alliance in 2018, partnering with Leica and Panasonic to develop products for the L-mount system. The company continues to invest significantly in research and development, with a notably high percentage of their budget allocated to product development compared to industry competitors. Their manufacturing approach emphasizes in-house production at their Japanese facility, which allows them to maintain high quality standards while offering competitive pricing. In February 2024, Sigma announced a development agreement with Canon to produce lenses for the RF mount system, marking another significant expansion of their lens lineup.