In an era of feature overload, the Sigma BF stands out as a breath of fresh air—redefining professional photography through minimalism. This 24.6MP full-frame mirrorless camera is not just a tool but a philosophical reflection on the essence of photography: What remains when you strip away everything non-essential?

Design: The Art of Subtraction at Its Finest

The first impression of the Sigma BF is its striking unibody aluminum construction. Milled from a single block over seven hours of precise CNC machining, it weighs just 388 grams, making it incredibly light for a full-frame camera.The clean black-and-white color palette caters to various aesthetic tastes while subtly nodding to photography’s origins—black symbolizing the purity of the darkroom, and white embodying the infinite possibilities of light.

In contrast to the typical array of buttons found on traditional cameras, the BF streamlines controls to just three touch buttons, a single dial, and a shutter release. The touch buttons provide haptic feedback that mimics the feel of physical buttons, preserving a tactile experience while embracing modern simplicity. Subtle design touches like a thumb grip and textured front surface enhance handling without compromising the camera’s elegant look.

Operation: A Return to Photography’s Core

"At first, the minimalist interface left me unsure," many photographers admit upon first using the BF. But its design quickly reveals its wisdom. A dual-layer menu system offers quick access to five key settings—shutter speed, aperture, ISO, EV compensation, and color mode—while tucking away secondary options in deeper menus. This forces photographers to leave distractions behind and focus on composition and light, evoking the purity of shooting with a film camera.

A small display on the top of the camera shows key settings at a glance, while the 3.15-inch LCD on the back can be set to a completely clean live view, eliminating all distractions.

Performance: Minimalist Yet Mighty

Don’t be fooled by its pared-down appearance—the Sigma BF is no lightweight in capability. It features a 24.6MP full-frame sensor, ISO range of 100–102400, an electronic shutter with speeds up to 1/25600s, and 1,215 hybrid autofocus points that can quickly and accurately recognize people, cats, and dogs. In testing, autofocus speed and high ISO performance rivaled that of traditional pro-grade cameras.

Its 13 built-in color modes are another standout, transforming technical parameters into artistic expression. From the narrative-cool tones of “Calm” to the bold vibrance of “Rich,” each profile is crafted using visual psychology. Unique presets like “Powder Blue” and “Warm Gold” even produce cinematic results straight out of camera, significantly reducing the need for post-processing.

Storage & Connectivity: Built for the Future

One of the BF’s most forward-thinking features is its built-in 230GB SSD, capable of storing roughly 14,000 JPEGs or 4,300 RAW files. This not only removes the hassle of managing memory cards, but also prompts a reevaluation of the shutter’s significance—every shot becomes a more deliberate act. The USB-C 3.2 Gen2 port allows for 10Gb/s data transfer and fast, convenient charging.

For video, the BF supports 6K at 30p and 4K at 120p, using efficient HEVC encoding and offering an L-Log profile for professional workflows. While the absence of a mechanical shutter might lead to rolling shutter effects in fast-moving scenes, the completely silent operation of the electronic shutter is a major advantage in most scenarios.

Market Positioning: For the Purists

Priced at $1,999, the Sigma BF clearly isn’t for everyone. It’s for creators tired of bloated feature sets, those yearning to reconnect with the fundamentals of image-making. It’s ideal for street photographers needing something lightweight and responsive, or content creators wanting quality visuals without being bogged down by complex controls. As Sigma CEO Kazuto Yamaki puts it: “The BF isn’t about doing everything—it’s about doing the most important things exceptionally well.”

Conclusion

By the end of the review period, I found myself checking settings less and focusing on the frame more—that may be the BF’s greatest achievement. Through subtractive industrial design, it adds something essential to the photography experience: clarity, intention, and presence.