Sigma BF Singapore launch – a short hands-on mini review

​In April 2025, Sigma Singapore officially launched the Sigma BF camera, the Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm ƒ3.5-6.7 DC OS and Sigma Sport 300-600mm ƒ4 DG OS lenses through a cosy and intimate event at Artyzen Singapore.

Many thanks to Mezame from DCPro and Sigma Singapore for having me.

So here’s sharing my short 2 hours hands-on thoughts with the Sigma BF, and I hope, a much more in-depth review if Sigma Singapore kindly hands me a review set.

In all fairness, I am sure that while the sports and wildlife photographer would be excited with the Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm ƒ3.5-6.7 DC OS and Sigma Sport 300-600mm ƒ4 DG OS lenses, my focus was on the Sigma BF camera.

By now, anyone in the photography world would know the Sigma BF camera marks a significant milestone in minimalist camera design, with some saying that Sigma has gone to the extreme far end in keeping to their vision of a camera stripped to the bare essence of photography and I do agree with this.

Thing is, I am always glad to see a camera manufacturer doing something creative, different instead of the same old slightly faster, better, costlier formula.

The camera’s top plate is as simplistic as it can possibly be, populated by the shutter button and nothing else. Mounted is the Sigma 65mm ƒ2 DG DN.

That said, the Sigma BF camera was as expected: a beautiful, well built camera that is every bit the balance between performance and simplicity

The Sigma BF stands out with its radically simple design. Crafted from a single aluminium block, it features a true unibody construction, standing out even more with its seamless aesthetic. The camera’s interface is thoroughly reimagined, incorporating pressure-sensitive haptic buttons and a single control dial.

Yes, there is only 1 port on the camera, a USB-C port, which you will use for charging and photo transfers. I understand it is a USB 3.2 capable of up to 10 Gbps speeds.

To my pleasant surprise, a direct USB-C to USB-C connection to my iPhone 16 Pro was extremely fast to set up, connect, and transfer. In fact, one of the best interfaces I have experienced across so many brands so far.

The Sigma BF full-frame mirrorless camera is engineered to provide an intuitive and streamlined photography experience, appealing to anyone who, I guess, believes that certain compromises can be made in one’s relentless pursuit towards minimalism in a camera body.

Despite its minimalist approach, the Sigma BF is packed with modern, advanced features, with the key ones below:​

• A 24.6-megapixel full-frame backside-illuminated CMOS sensor.​
• A hybrid Autofocus system, phase detection and contrast detection, capable of subject detection
• A 230 GB built-in SSD eliminates the need for memory cards and allows storing over 14,000 JPEG images or 2.5 hours of high-quality video. ​There is no slot for any memory cards.
• 14-bit DNG lossless RAW files, up to 8 fps. There is no mechanical shutter.
• Supports 6K recording at up to 30 fps and L-Log colour grading and HVEC encoding
• Thirteen creative colour modes, including options like Teal and Orange, Powder Blue, and Warm Gold
• The Sigma BF comes in L-Mount, allowing use with various lenses from Sigma and other L-Mount Alliance partners.

Handling the camera was straightforward, once you had figured out how to access the options. The Sigma BF’s physical design concentrates all controls into just three buttons: a dial, a shutter release, and a power button; all in 3 menus.

Personally, I am very particular about how skin tones turn out, to the point where I sold my Leica M11-P for the M10-R after selling my M10-R to buy the M11-P originally, and the Sigma BF’s output is beautiful.

Of course, nothing is perfect. I did find the lack of a viewfinder a tad challenging to get used to, and some professionals will probably lament the absence of a hotshoe too (I mean, I do use flash), mechanical shutter, or in-body stabilisation, and this really goes back to the individual photographer’s use case.

My take is that, well, Sigma is honest throughout – going with their intentions to build a most pared down camera focusing on the essentials, and even so, this Sigma BF camera will earn its fair share of fans.

Of course, a short 2 hours will never be sufficient to write anything substantial about the Sigma BF, especially one as radically different. (I won’t trust anyone who professes a conclusion and full review based on a 2-hour experience either)

I hope to share more on the Sigma BF if I get a review set from Sigma Singapore later, or, I guess, if the stars turn out right, done from my paid-for by me personal set.

Thank you for reading.

Disclaimers:

1. Many thanks to Mezame from DCPro and Sigma Singapore for having me at the launch event.
2. I am obviously not paid to write this article, and opinions are mine and mine alone.
3. As always, all photos here are taken by me, and as far as possible, I do not like to use stock photos in my reviews (that’s lazy)