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SIGMA 50mm F1.2 DG DN Announced

March 26^th, 2024

by Jose PradaMarch 26^th, 2024

SIGMA just announced a new lens, the SIGMA 50mm F1.2 DG DN, available for Leica L-mount and Sony E-mount. Sharing the same aperture as the SIGMA 35mm f/1.2 DG DN that was released in 2018, this new lens becomes the brightest 50mm they offer so far. Let’s take a look at it!

The SIGMA Art series continues expanding their catalog by adding the SIGMA 50mm F1.2 DG DN. Remember that DG denotes a lens designed for a full-frame camera and DN indicates ‘mirrorless’. The Japanese company claims this lens to be the “best standard lens in SIGMA’s history”. Among its characteristics, there is little flare, spherical aberration, and a reduction in color fringing.

Image quality in a compact size

SIGMA designed this 50mm lens not only by keeping image quality in mind but also by keeping it in a compact size and a lightweight body for today’s shooters (745g). By reducing chromatic aberration and fringing across the range, the company wants to offer a lens that can be used at its maximum aperture with high image quality. That is usually the selling point when we look for such fast lenses; we might want to use them wide open when needed without dealing with image degradation and softness.

Main features

SIGMA recognizes that, while some focus breathing is present, it is almost suppressed and unnoticeable. According to the company, the secret of the high performance of this 50mm F1.2 DG DN is the use of a 17-element lens. That usually means an increase in the overall length of the lens, but SIGMA has overcome this problem by using thinner layers of glass and reducing the space between the elements.

The SIGMA 50mm F1.2 DG DN’s focusing lenses are positioned at two different locations, making it a “floating focus” lens that improves optical performance from infinity to close-up, as well as helps reduce the focus breathing. The lens features a linear motor with high driving accuracy and quietness, designed to reduce its volume while maintaining its thrust.

Regarding bokeh, the lens features a 13-blade circular aperture, so the bokeh is less polygonal and closer to a circle even when stopping down the lens.

Finally, regarding build quality, the SIGMA 50mm F1.2 DG DN is designed to be dust-proof and drip-proof, and the front element features a water and stain-repellent coating. Made from polycarbonate, the lens has an AFL button that can be assigned to different functions depending on the camera. Also, in addition to the aperture ring, the lens features an aperture ring lock switch and a click switch to turn the aperture ring on and off.