WORLD’S FIRST DIGITAL CAMERA TO INCORPORATE FOVEON® X3™ IMAGE SENSOR TECHNOLOGY

„WORLD’S FIRST DIGITAL CAMERA TO INCORPORATE FOVEON® X3™ IMAGE SENSOR TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE IN OCTOBER\r\n
\r\nNew Sigma SD9 digital camera with Foveon X3 technology captures \r\n
\r\nthe highest level of sharpness and color detail in its class\r\n
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\r\nPhotokina, Cologne, Germany, Hall 10.1, Stand C8 – (September 24, 2002) – Foveon, Inc., a technology leader in high quality digital photography and Sigma Corporation, a world class optical manufacturer, jointly announced today that the new Sigma SD9, high-definition digital Single Lens-Reflex (SLR) camera powered by the new Foveon X3 image sensor will be available for sale on October 21, 2002 for a list price of (U.S.) $1,800.\r\n
\r\n“;“The Foveon X3 image sensor in the Sigma SD9 contains over 10.2 million color photodetectors, which are organized in 3 layers within the sensor to form 3.54 million full-color pixels. By dedicating three color photodetectors for each pixel, the SD9 produces images that are sharper, have better color detail and are more immune to color artifacts than currently available six megapixel digital SLR cameras. The Foveon X3 image sensor is the world’s first full-color image sensor that captures red, green and blue light at every pixel in a single exposure. The Foveon X3 technology breakthrough is accomplished by embedding three photodetectors in silicon at each pixel. \r\n
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\r\n\“We are delighted that internationally renowned Sigma Corporation has chosen to incorporate the Foveon X3 image sensor technology into their new Sigma SD9 digital camera,\“ said Jim Lau, Foveon’s CEO. \“The Sigma SD9 is the first product to reflect the major breakthrough in price performance that is made possible by Foveon X3 technology. With the introduction of the new SD9 digital camera, Sigma is offering photographers an unparalleled photographic tool to help capture digital images of exceptional quality.\“\r\n
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\r\nUnlike image sensors used in current digital cameras that use a single layer of photodetectors and only capture one color per pixel, Foveon X3 image sensors use three layers of photodetectors and capture all three primary colors (red, green and blue) at every pixel. As a result, Foveon X3 image sensors deliver increased image sharpness, better color detail, and much greater resistance to unpredictable color artifacts. In addition, Foveon X3 image sensors capture the full color of an image without the expense, complexity, and limitations of multi-chip systems such as a 3-CCD camera or a multi-shot system. \r\n
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\r\n\“The Foveon X3 technology enables the compelling image quality advantages of a three-sensor or multi-shot digital camera, but at the price of a single sensor. That is the heart of the price/performance advantage of the \r\n
\r\nFoveon X3 technology,\“ continued Lau. \“Until now, digital cameras have been capturing only one-third of the color for each pixel. With the Sigma SD9 and Foveon X3 technology, consumers are getting a camera that captures all the color for each pixel and they will see a tangible difference in what they have been missing.\“ \r\n
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\r\nAbout Sigma\r\n
\r\nFounded in 1961 by Michihiro Yamaki, Sigma has become one of the world’s largest suppliers of after-market lenses for 35mm single-lens-reflex cameras. Sigma’s product line currently lists over 34 lenses with focal ranges spanning from 8mm to 800mm. Through sustained reinvestment in precision manufacturing, design automation and world class excellence in optics, Sigma has focused its efforts on delivering very high quality lens products at the highest value to its customers.\r\n
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\r\nAbout Foveon\r\n
\r\nSince its founding in 1997, the company is focused on the development of image capture products for digital cameras and image capture applications that enable higher levels of image quality and new system capabilities not possible with today’s CCD technology. On February 11, 2002, Foveon introduced the world’s first full-color image sensor – the Foveon X3 Pro 10M (F7-35X3-A25B) designed for digital SLR applications. The company has expanded its product line to include image sensors for smaller optical formats suitable for point and shoot camera applications. Foveon is a privately held company. Investors include: National Semiconductor Inc., Synaptics Inc. and New Enterprise Associates.\r\n
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\r\nGeneral Inquiries:\r\n
\r\nFoveon Inc.\r\n
\r\nTel: 877-436-8366, www.Foveon.com, 2820 San Tomas Expressway, Santa Clara, CA 95051\r\n
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\r\nSigma Photo\r\n
\r\nTel: 011-81-3-3480-1431, www.Sigma-Photo.co.jp , 2-3-15, Iwado-Minami, Komae-SHI, Tokyo, 201-8630 Japan\r\n
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\r\nPress and Media Inquiries:\r\n
\r\nFoveon Inc.\r\n
\r\nSteve Rosenbaum, S.I.R. Marketing Communications, Inc., Tel: 631.757.5665 Fax: 631.757.5448 \r\n
\r\nEmail: sir@sironline.com“;0;45;4;“admin“;““;0;““;0;0;0;0;0