Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG Art Development Announced – Completing the F1.2 Portrait Prime Trio

Lens NewsCP+ 2026

by Nino LeitnerFebruary 26^th, 2026

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Sigma has revealed it is developing the 85mm F1.2 DG | Art, a large-aperture medium-telephoto prime for full-frame mirrorless cameras in L-Mount and Sony E-mount, with a planned launch in September 2026.

The lens is being shown as a development prototype at the Sigma booth during CP+ 2026 in Yokohama, Japan. With this addition, Sigma completes its lineup of F1.2 Art primes, joining the Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG II | Art and the Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN | Art. The trio now covers three of the most essential focal lengths for portrait, documentary, and narrative work, all at that coveted F1.2 maximum aperture.

What we know so far

Details remain limited at this stage, as this is a development announcement rather than a full product launch. According to Sigma, the 85mm F1.2 DG | Art features a new optical design that promises exceptional resolution even wide open, paired with a compact and lightweight body. Autofocus is driven by a dual HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) system, the same motor technology Sigma has deployed in its most recent Art lenses, including the 35mm F1.2 DG II | Art and the 35mm F1.4 DG II | Art that was also just revealed ahead of CP+ 2026. The dual HLA system has proven to deliver fast and quiet focusing across the current Art lineup, which bodes well for both stills and video applications.

The lens uses an 82mm front filter thread, which is consistent with several other Sigma Art lenses, including the 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art and the 28-105mm f/2.8 DG DN Art. That filter thread commonality is a practical advantage for shooters who want to share ND filters or polarizers across multiple lenses – you simply buy the large 82mm filter and adapt it to other smaller diameters using inexpensive step-down rings.

Competitive landscape

The 85mm focal length at F1.2 is well-established territory for portrait and cinematic work, offering a flattering perspective with extremely shallow depth of field. Canon has long offered the RF 85mm F1.2 L USM (and its Defocus Smoothing variant), while Nikon offers the Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.2 S. With Sigma entering this space, all four major full-frame mirrorless lens mounts will have an 85mm F1.2 option available.

For Sigma shooters specifically, the new lens will sit above the existing 85mm F1.4 DG DN | Art, which launched in 2020 and remains one of the most compact 85mm options on the market at just 630g. It will be interesting to see how Sigma balances the faster aperture with the company’s stated goal of keeping the lens compact and lightweight; pushing from F1.4 to F1.2 typically demands significantly larger glass elements.

What it means for video shooters

For filmmakers working on mirrorless camera systems, a fast 85mm prime is a staple for interview setups, medium close-ups, and any scenario where strong subject separation is needed. The F1.2 aperture allows for even thinner depth of field and better low-light performance than F1.4 alternatives, although the real-world difference is modest. What matters more for video is how the lens handles focus breathing, bokeh rendering, and autofocus tracking, none of which Sigma has detailed yet. Given the company’s recent track record of addressing these characteristics in its newer Art designs (with features like suppressed focus breathing and de-clickable aperture rings), expectations are understandably high.

Availability

Sigma has confirmed the 85mm F1.2 DG | Art will be available in L-Mount and Sony E-mount, with a September 2026 launch date. No pricing has been disclosed at this time.

What do you think about Sigma completing its F1.2 prime trio? Is the 85mm focal length the one you have been waiting for, or would you prefer Sigma to focus on other focal lengths at this aperture? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!