Video capabilities are strong, with 6K/30P and L-Log available.
However, the camera has a short battery life, theres no IBIS, and ergonomics arent the best.
Its no secret that the Sigma BF has beenmy most anticipated camera of 2025.
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)
Is it still one of thebest mirrorless camerasout there?
Read my full Sigma BF review to find out.
Its available to pre-order for$1,999/1,969(body only) and comes in silver and black colorways.
Alongside this, Sigma is also launching nine new lenses in matching colors.
The BF occupies a unique position in the market.
Visually, there isnt another camera that looks like it.
The Sigma BF oozes Cupertino minimalism.
The only plastic in the construction of its bottom plate where the battery compartment lock is located.
It has a textured body which feels premium to look at and touch.
Its aluminum build makes the camera heavy, weighing 13.7oz (body only).
Sigma says the BF has environmental sealings on its body and lenses which provide resistance against water and dust.
I had no issues using the camera in light rain and on sandy beaches.
Unlike the cameras Ive mentioned which have sculpted grips for better handling, the Sigma BF is virtually flat.
All you really get is a protruding grip to rest your thumb on, located on the back.
But this is still far from the most comfortable camera Ive used.
I found this frustrating.
With the lens on, the cameras too big to slip into a pocket.
I found myself constantly putting the Sigma BF back into my backpack.
I would have liked to be able to carry it around my neck.
In line with the minimalist design, the camera doesnt have much going on in terms of ports.
The left edge of the Sigma BF has a USB-C port for charging and image transfer.
This port can also be used for webcam streaming via the UAC/UVC standard.
The bottom plate houses the BP-81 battery pack which can be removed by pushing the battery compartment lock.
Its important to note that the Sigma BF doesnt have a slot for an external SD card.
Instead, the camera comes with 230GB of internal storage.
Menus and UI
The Sigma BFs user interface is simplicity itself.
you’re able to choose whether you want shooting information (shutter speed, ISO, etc.)
displayed on the monitor, enable and disable grid lines, center mark and electronic level.
The interface never feels overwhelming or like theres too much going on.
The main system options menu is extremely straightforward too.
And with that, lets dive into the Sigma BFs controls.
It simplifies photography, and Im all for it.
Lets start with the top plate first.
It houses the shutter button which feels soft to press while giving good tactile feedback.
Next to the monitor on the back lie all other controls.
The dial lets you quickly cycle through the various prefs.
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)
Then its just a matter of rotating the dial to change that particular setting.
For example, press right and the ISO will be selected.
Rotate the dial and youll be able to change the ISO value.
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)
It works similarly for every other shooting setting.
I also love the playback button.
Simply placing a finger on it not pressing it shows the last photo you took.
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)
It works very well, as does eye detection.
it’s possible for you to see the examples in the gallery above.
Animal AF works extremely well, as you could see in the photos above.
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)
The birds are in focus and stand out as the primary subjects while the background blurs beautifully.
Instead, the camera utilizes electronic image stabilization (EIS) for video only.
EIS incurs a 1.25x crop, thereby limiting the angle of view.
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)
The second clip is stable and smooth but its heavily cropped, which Im not fond of.
Its slightly lower than the Fujifilm X-M5s and the Sony ZV-E10 IIs 26MP resolutions.
When you half-press the shutter button, the dial on the back lets you adjust the exposure compensation.
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)
you might then adjust the exposure quickly (5 EV, in 1/3 increments).
I actually found this genuinely useful, especially in low-light controls.
it’s possible for you to see examples and the names of the filters in the gallery above.
Sunset Red and Teal & Orange quickly became my favorite Color Modes.
They remind me of Nostalgic Neg on Fuji cameras.
The Monochrome Color Mode takes lovely photos too but I still prefer Fujis B&W Acros recipe.
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)
The photos above were taken at 1/12,800s, f/4 and ISO 800.
All the birds are in focus, and their beaks and feathers look sharp and detailed.
The camera has a native ISO range of 100-102,400 for stills.
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)
As you could see, noise starts to creep in but it doesnt ruin the photo.
Noise in the second photo has been reduced but sharpness hasnt been totally destroyed by smoothing.
I then cranked the ISO up to 12,800.
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)
Again, the first image above is the DNG file and the second is the SOOC JPEG.
And again, the Sigma BF has done well to reduce noise and grain without major detriment to sharpness.
Youve got a usable image once again.
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)
The Sigma BF, however, does a decent job of reducing noise.
The second image (the SOOC JPEG) also looks okay.
Dynamic range
The Sigma BFs dynamic range performance is fairly decent too.
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)
The first photo is a JPEG export of the DNG file.
The second photo is the same image but with shadows and exposure boosted in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom.
This photo was taken at ISO 100.
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)
The shadows arent very noisy and have been recovered well at the lowest native sensitivity.
Besides, the video quality is gorgeous.
All 13 Color Modes are available when filming too.
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)
The compilation above was shot in the Standard Color Mode and with EIS disabled.
The different colors of the waves and the sand have been captured accurately.
I also love the sounds the Sigma BF has recorded.
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)
The cameras equipped with a stereo microphone.
you’re free to then color grade it in Adobe Premiere Pro, for instance.
I also recorded continuous 4K/30P video indoors to gauge battery life.
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)
I was able to use the Sigma BF for 109 minutes before it died.
Compared to cameras in its price or features bracket, this is very underwhelming.
Charging the camera from zero to 100% with a 65W charger takes just under two hours.
Ive fallen in love with its minimalist design and its luxurious feel.
And hybrid shooters will enjoy 6K/30P and L-Log capabilities too.
Color reproduction is faithful too.
Standard(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
The cherries on top of the cake are the Sigma BFs straightforward user interface and controls that simplify photography.
This camera isnt without its shortcomings, though.
The Sigma BF doesnt have the best ergonomics either, with single-handed use frustrating.
FOV Classic Blue(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
The Sigma BF has made photography fun for me again.
Sunset Red(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
Monochrome(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
Forest Green(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
Rich(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
709 Look(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
Teal and Orange(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
Warm Gold(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
FOV Classic Yellow(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
Cinema(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
Powder Blue(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
Calm(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)
ISO 6,400 DNG.(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
ISO 6,400 SOOC JPEG.(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
ISO 12,800 DNG.(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
ISO 12,800 SOOC JPEG.(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
ISO 51,200 DNG.(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
ISO 51,200 SOOC JPEG.(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
