Sigma SD1 'Merrill' announced

Sigma has confirmed that the company's flagship camera is to be rebadged and released at a much cheaper price – in the US at least.The 46-megapixel SD1 DSLR will now be known as the SD1 Merrill, in honour of Richard "Dick" Merrill, the co-designer of the Foveon X3 Direct Imaging Sensor technology at the heart of the camera.In a letter to its customers, Sigma's new CEO, Kazuto Yamaki confirms that the specifications of the camera will remain the same as the SD1:"This product has the same features, performance, and specifications as the Sigma SD1, however, the price is substantially revised. We are gearing up for its release in March 2012, and the market price is expected to be approximately $3,300 MSRP." This is a substantial price drop – the original launch price of the SD1 was $9,700 MSRP (£6,199.99 in the UK). The reduced price is attributed to a reduction in the production costs of the sensor.In a bid to appease SD1 users who spent serious cash on the original camera, Sigma is launching a 'support program' that is expected to run from the launch of the SD1 Merrill to the end of 2012. Existing customers will receive points which can then be exchanged for Sigma products. There is no confirmation of how and when this program will launch in the UK.The Sigma SD1 Merrill UK price is to be confirmed, but the camera will be available from mid March.