Sigma SD1 the magical device with magical price

Finally after a long waiting time Sigma has announced the availability and price of its amazing SD1 Digital camera

Many people have been excited about this (amazing sensor, great weather-resistant body, improved LCD screen, new features...) and price near it's main rivals Canon 7D and maybe 5D Mark II,

,but what was the surprise to everyone, that actual price announced:

The Sigma SD1 will be available for the MSRP of $9,700 through select authorized Sigma dealers.

Yes this is more than 9 thousand dollars ! It is in the same price league as Canon 1Ds Mark III or Nikon D3x !

The funny thing I noticed in press-release:

"The SD1 will carve out a new category in the marketplaceby providing high-end photographers with an alternative to very expensive medium-format cameras and digital backs, while offering unrivaled image quality," said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. "By embracing the SD1, serious photographers will also be able to take advantage of Sigma’s extensive lineup of affordable lenses, which are compatible with this new camera. The selections of lenses for medium-format cameras on the market are somewhat limited, so this will be a huge advantage for SD1 users. This is undoubtedly a very special camera, and we’re thrilled to share it with the photo community."

Well let's sum-up this statement. Basically Sigma is trying to sell a camera aimed as an alternative to high-end medium format photographers, and trying to provide affordable low-end lenses with it :) This is really some bitter joke in my mind.

I personally have used Sigma lenses, they are good (image quality-wise, there are even some better options than Canon right now, like excellent 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM), but their build-quality is poor, the wear-and-tear is very visible due to the outer case plastic. I wouldn't trade any of my Canon lenses for Sigma's.

In my mind, this is some joke or how some people say (total fail), you don't sell high-end equipment with low-end lenses.

There are many other points that I can bring up, but I guess Michael Reichmann said it really well, and I agree with him completelly

But let's wait and see, what I really would like to see is actual comparisons with
Canon 1Ds Mark III or Nikon D3x, then we can really say if this price tag is justified. But will it sell even if it beats D3x (which I think it can!) ? This is another question...

P.S. There is already a Dpreview.com preview, check it out