The Best 6 Sigma Art Lenses – Review & Guide 2023

Sigma Art lenses are a line of high-end camera lenses designed for professional photographers and serious hobbyists. These lenses are known for their exceptional image quality, sharpness, and clarity. The Sigma Art series is intended for full-frame cameras, but some models can also be used with APS-C format cameras.

Sigma Art lenses are built with the latest lens technologies, including multi-layer coatings to reduce lens flare and ghosting and advanced autofocus systems that are quick and accurate.

A variety of Sigma Art lenses are available, including wide-angle, standard, and telephoto lenses and macro lenses. Whether you are a landscape photographer, portrait photographer, or street photographer, there is a Sigma Art lens that is well-suited to your needs.

This article will overview some of the best Sigma Art lenses available today and discuss their various features and benefits. Whether you are looking to upgrade your photography equipment or are in the market for a new lens, this article will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Six Best Sigma Art Lenses:

Here are our recommended top Best lenses for sigma art:

1. Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM – Prime Lens for Canon EF-Mount

During a vacation in New York, I met a person who had come from Canada. During our hang-out with his friends, he hired me to take beautiful photographs of different streets and buy family gifts at stores. 

It was my task this time to take photos of the most expensive street in New York, Fifth Avenue. I used the Canon EF mount and the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM to accomplish this task. I could zoom in and see the details of my clicked photos.

The Sigma 50mm F1.4 Ar DG HSM lens is a fantastic piece of equipment. Street photographers will love it. And 50mm is outstanding for landscapes and portraits. It is great for travel photography and photojournalism, outdoors or studio. The build quality is fantastic. 

The lens has 13 glass elements in 8 groups. The glass is very high quality. Sigma has used low-dispersion glass. The outer elements are coated with Sigma’s Super Multi-Layer Coating, which reduces glare and chromatic aberration. I can expect crisp and clear images.

Specifications: 

Item Dimensions3.94 x 3.35 x 3.35 inches
Item Weight1.80 lbs
Lens TypeNormal
Maximum Aperturef/1.4
Maximum Focal Length50 millimeters
Maximum Aperture RangeF1.4
Maximum Format Size35mm full-frame
Minimum Aperture16
Minimum Focal Length50 millimeters
Minimum Operating Distance0.4 meters
Photo Filter Thread Size77 millimetres

Why I recommend: 

As for the autofocus mechanism, the lens uses a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) to power it. This is a fast lens with smooth operation. And the Sigma HSM is also quiet when it comes to focusing. That’s great for photographers who want to keep a low profile when working.

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM ranks among the best lenses today regarding sharpness, especially when used at its widest aperture. Even though it’s not a macro lens, it works well when you want to take close-up pictures of products. Product photographers are likely to be pleased with that feature.

One of its most attractive characteristics is its max aperture of f/1.4, which gives you plenty of natural light. That opens up more options with ISO and shutter speed. It allows for the creation of a beautiful bokeh effect. This is something that portrait photographers and product photographers will enjoy.

Why I don’t recommend: 

In the end, we were disappointed that this lens does not feature image stabilization. Another issue is that it is not fully weather-sealed, which means that you must be careful when shooting outdoors, but these are only two minor issues in an otherwise fantastic lens.

Pros

  • Outstanding image quality
  • Fast and accurate autofocus
  • Excellent build quality
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Reasonably priced

Cons

  • Slightly noisy autofocus
  • Minimum focus distance is not as close as some other 50mm lenses

2. Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG – Zoom Lens for Canon EF-Mount

I poured the tiny drop of water onto the glass surface and then added the different colors to the fall one by one. I inherited an artistic mind from my father. With the combination of colors, my mind clicked.

I took my Canon EF camera and mounted the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG. I obtained excellent images of this small drop by maintaining a small distance and sharing it with friends. I was surprised to receive commands from my friends merely using the zoom lens. A great all-rounder, the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 Art DG OS HSM lens meets nearly any photography brief. 

I can take it with minimal equipment on photography trips. It has excellent optical quality, and its results outperform third-party lenses in this class. It won’t be long before you have your go-to Sigma lens. 

However, the quality and features make it worth the extra money I spend with Sigma. The lens has a rugged construction. It has a metal barrel at the centre. The rubber seals at the end of the mount provide dust-resistant and splash-resistant protection.

Specifications: 

Item Dimensions3.5 x 4.2 x 4.2 inches
Item Weight2.00 lbs
Lens Typezoom
Maximum Aperturef/2.8
Maximum Focal Length70
Maximum Aperture Range2.8
Minimum Aperture22
Minimum Focal Length24
Photo Filter Thread Size82 millimetres

Why I recommend:

 With 19 glass elements, the optical quality is fantastic throughout the zoom range. These elements include three Special Low Dispersion (SLD) elements arranged in tandem with four aspheric glass elements. It is an example of precision engineering.

There is no doubt that this Sigma lens is wide enough to cover landscapes and architecture shots. It has an excellent focal range for portraits and fine art photography. And its longer focal length allows you to shoot events, nature, and sports. Street photographers will surely love this Sigma lens.

The name “HSM” stands for Hyper Sonic Motor, which is highly efficient and quiet, resulting in outstanding autofocus performance. There is a smooth twist action on the focusing ring. This gives you excellent manual focus control, and the HSM autofocus motor is also reliable.

Why I don’t recommend: 

It doesn’t have the largest maximum aperture. However, due to the wide aperture of f/2.8, there will not be enough light for situations involving low light.

Pros

  • Fast f/2.8 aperture
  • Excellent build quality
  • Very good image quality
  • Useful 24-70mm focal range
  • Reasonably priced

Cons

  • Heavy and large for its class
  • Some distortion at 24mm

3. Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 Art DC HSM – Best Wide-Angle  Zoom Lens 

Architecture photography is very different from other types of photography. This subtype of photography takes more time than the rest. I have been developing my interest in architectural photography for the past two years. I selected many places to fulfil my thirst for architectural photography. 

I bought an EF Canon camera. I used this camera in conjunction with the wide-angle Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 Art DC HSM lens to improve the visibility and stability of the overall images. I received many reviews and comments by posting these photos on my Instagram account. I have used it for the past couple of years and am very satisfied.

 It’s a well-made piece of equipment that can meet the needs of many photographers. The images taken with the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 Art DC HSM lens are bright and brilliant. In addition to its affordability and lightness, it weighs just 1.79 lb (811 g). My focal range is 18-35mm, so I get a great wide-angle shot at 18mm. The lens can also be set to 35mm for a more conventional trial.

Specifications: 

Item Dimensions4.76 x 3.07 x 3.07 inches
Item Weight1.79 lbs
Lens TypeWide Angle
Maximum Aperture1.8
Maximum Focal Length35 millimeters
Maximum Aperture RangeF1.8
Maximum Format SizeAPS-C / DX
Minimum Aperture16
Minimum Focal Length18 millimeters
Minimum Operating Distance0.28 meters
Photo Filter Thread Size72 millimetres

Why I recommend:

It has the perfect range for photographs of interiors and exteriors. Aside from landscape photography, you can also use it for studio and environmental portraits. The wide angle is ideal for music videos and sweeping shots. 

However, real-estate photographers are likely to be most interested in this lens. The 18-35mm f/1.8 Art DC HSM lens isn’t going to change your lens every time you go to take property shots. However, the build quality of this lens sets that straight. 

The lens has 17 elements in 12 groups. Among them are five low-dispersion elements and four aspherical elements. There is a low-dispersion glass that reduces aberration. The manual focus ring also offers smooth motion and accurate control. The lens body is made of thermally stable composite material. So it’s another lightweight option.

 Why I don’t recommend:

This Sigma Art lens isn’t perfect despite its strengths. It lacks image stabilization, though that is less important for wide-angle lenses. It also doesn’t have weather sealing, which impacts outdoor photography. Wide-angle lenses can be prone to aberrations and distortions.

Pros

  • Excellent image quality
  • Fast and accurate autofocus
  • Bright f/1.8 aperture
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Weather-sealed construction

Cons

  • No image stabilization
  • Slow maximum aperture at the telephoto end

4. Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 Art DC HSM – Best Sharpest  Zoom Lens 

It has always been my dream to do astronomy, so I started by taking pictures on the roof of my home of stars and the moons using the Canon EOS Rebel and Sigma 85mm f/1.4 SLD Art EF HSM, which is the sharpest in the world. Taking off the initial step is tricky, but there is a lot of success that lies behind that initial step. 

By making many clients with my struggles, I found the best wide-angle lens to take long-distance photographs excellently and smartly, and I succeeded in finding the best wide-angle lens. Despite its limited focal range, the Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 Art DC HSM lens delivers when it comes to image quality. 

There are few zoom lenses with a wider maximum aperture, making it a fantastic option for creative photography. This lens was developed by Sigma to be used with APS-C sensor cameras. Its focal length should equal 80-160mm on a full-frame camera. The build quality is outstanding for its price point, and looks professional.

Specifications: 

Item Dimensions6.7 x 3.7 x 3.7 inches
Item Weight3 lbs
Lens TypeWide Angle/ normal 
Maximum Aperture1.8
Maximum Focal Length100 millimeters
Maximum Aperture RangeF1.8
Maximum Format SizeAPS-C / DX
Minimum Aperture1.8
Minimum Focal Length50 millimetres

Why I recommend:

With Sigma Art lenses, we’ve learned to expect good optical quality. The Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM is no exception. The outer case is made of thermally stable composite materials. It’s durable but light. The focal length and aperture range make this an ideal lens for people’s photography. 

The wide aperture provides a shallow depth of field, while the nine curved aperture blades create a beautiful blur in out-of-focus areas. You can use this focal range for intimate portraits with tight compositions and full-body shots with wider angles. 

Due to its quiet and reliable HSM AF system, it is suitable for weddings and fashion photoshoots. It has a manual focus override; you can control it by turning the focus ring. It’s convenient and easy to reach and comfortable and smooth to use.

Why I don’t recommend:

At these focal lengths, you’ll wish it had image stabilization, as it is very heavy and not something you’ll want to carry around and use handheld for long periods. Its focuses breaths quite severely.

Pros

  • Fast aperture of f/1.8.
  • Art line lens with excellent image quality.
  • HSM motor for fast and silent autofocusing
  • Weather-sealed construction
  • Rounded nine-blade diaphragm for beautiful bokeh

Cons

  • Heavy and large for a zoom lens.
  • No image stabilization.

5. Sigma 85mm f/1.4 SLD Art EF HSM – Tele Prime Lens For Nikon F-Mount

Taking pictures of your favorite game players in real-time is very difficult, according to my experience in sports photography. My favorite volleyball player is Giba, a Brazilian volleyball player. I left my city in Canada to see Giba playing volleyball in Brazil. As a result, my dye heart player requires high-performance actions achieved with my Nikon F polaroid combined with my best telephoto lens Sigma 85mm f/1.4.

The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM lens is great for creative photography. With its excellent image quality and performance, it’s an ideal partner to high-megapixel digital cameras, so that it could be the perfect Sigma art lens for portraits. 

With the Sigma 85mm, you can crop your images tightly, and it has a 28.6-degree field of view. This is the perfect lens for product and food photography. It also makes a great addition to fine art photographers.

Specifications: 

Item Dimensions3.4 x 3.4 x 3.4 inches
Item Weight1.70 lbs
Lens TypeTelephoto
Maximum Aperturef/1.4
Maximum Focal Length85 millimetres
Maximum Aperture RangeF1.4
Maximum Format SizeAPS-C
Minimum Aperture16
Minimum Focal Length33 millimetres
Photo Filter Thread Size86 millimeters

Why I recommend:

The lens quality is outstanding, giving you amazing resolution and image quality. It is a prime lens with 14 glass elements in 12 groups. That’s quite a lot. The Sigma Multi-Layer coating on the front element helps to reduce aberrations and ghosting. 

We have seen excellent autofocus performance throughout the Art line of lenses. This is true for the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM lens. The HSM AF system works beautifully with this lens. Besides being fast, accurate, and quiet, you also have a full-time manual focus feature. 

You take control of the manual focus feature by turning the ring on each Sigma’s Art line lens. This 85mm Art lens’s wide aperture is ideal for low-light photography. Furthermore, we know that it gives a wonderful bokeh effect regarding portraits.

 Why I don’t recommend:

There’s no image stabilization, so you’ll need a tripod more often. But the lens is dustproof and splashproof. It’s not weatherproof, so you can only use it in the rain for a short time. But it does give you some protection from the elements.

Pros

  • Excellent image quality
  • Fast and accurate autofocus
  • Good build quality
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Beautiful bokeh
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Some chromatic aberration at wide apertures
  • Can be slow to focus in low light

6. Sigma 70mm f/2.8 Art DG – Best Macro Prime Lens for Sony E Mount

When I opened my fridge, I saw only avocados that could be used for macro photography, so my mind started thinking about taking macro photos of the different fruits to make the tedious hours more interesting. I cut the avocado in half and added a few drops of water to the inner surface of this fruit. Using a Sony E mount camera with the Sigma 70mm f/2.8 Art DG macro lens, I was able to get amazing close-ups of the avocado. 

Sharing it on my various social networks simultaneously allowed me to get appreciation from my close friends. Sigma’s 70mm f/2.8 Art DG macro lens is a specialist. It’s ideal for high-resolution cameras, and it’s a macro lens. 

Macro photography takes precision gear because it’s a detailed art form. The build quality keeps up with the rest of Sigma Art. A full glass lens with 13 elements in 10 groups. The outer elements are coated with Sigma’s patented coating to minimize ghosting and lens flare. It is one of the best art macro lenses for Sony E mounts.

Specifications: 

Item Dimensions4.2 x 2.8 x 2.8 inches
Item Weight0.02 ounces
Lens TypeMacro
Maximum Aperture2.8 millimeters
Maximum Focal Length70 millimeters
Maximum Aperture Range2.8
Maximum Format SizeFull Frame
Minimum Aperture22 millimeters
Minimum Focal Length70 millimeters
Photo Filter Thread Size49 millimeters

Why I recommend:

To focus on the Sigma 70mm Art lens, Sigma designed a coreless DC motor. It is fast and near-silent in operation. And it makes precise minor adjustments to get the perfect focus. You don’t need to rely on the autofocus motor. You also have a full-time manual guide if you want to take control. The focus ring is broad and easy to control.

Even though the maximum aperture isn’t as wide as other lenses, it still offers plenty of natural light with its wide stop of f/2.8. With a longer focal length, bokeh effects are easier to achieve, even with a slower aperture. As well as enhancing the soft focus effect, the aperture ring also enhances it. There is no color streaking within the shallow depth of field.

This Sigma 70mm f/2.8 Art DG is a dedicated macro lens, but it is versatile enough for many tasks. It has macro features that make it ideal for product photography. Also, it has a long focal length that allows for close-up portraits. It also has a wide range of uses for food photographers.

Why I don’t recommend:

In terms of optics, the Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro Art lens has a complex construction with many elements and special coatings, which help reduce chromatic aberrations and maintain image quality even at wide apertures. 

Pros

  • Excellent sharpness
  • Wonderful bokeh
  • Fast and accurate autofocus
  • Well-built and solid construction
  • Good value for the price

Cons

  • No weather sealing
  • Slight vignetting at f/2.8
  • May not be compatible with all camera brands

Buyer’s Guide:

If you’re in the market for a Sigma Art lens, here’s a buyer’s guide to help you make an informed decision:

Purpose

Determine what type of photography you will be doing and choose a lens designed for that specific type of photography. Sigma Art lenses are available for various genres, including macro, portrait, landscape, and sports photography.

Mount

Consider the mount compatibility of the lens with your camera body. Sigma Art lenses are available for Canon, Nikon, Sony, and other camera brands.

Aperture

Consider the lens’s maximum aperture and whether it suits the type of photography you will be doing. If you plan to shoot in low light, a lens with a large maximum aperture (such as f/1.4 or f/2) is a good choice.

Focal length

Consider the lens’s focal length and how it will affect the perspective of your photos. A longer focal length will provide a more compressed perspective, while a shorter one will give a wider perspective.

Image stabilization

If you plan to shoot in low light or use a slower shutter speed, consider a lens with built-in image stabilization. This can help to reduce camera shake and produce sharp photos.

Size and weight

Consider the size and weight of the lens and whether it is suitable for your style of photography. A lighter lens may be a better option if you carry it for extended periods or travel with it.

Price

Consider the cost of the lens and whether it fits within your budget. Sigma Art lenses are generally more expensive than standard lenses but offer high-quality optics and build quality.

Reviews and Rating

Read reviews and ratings from other photographers and compare the different Sigma Art lenses to find the one that best suits your needs.

Considering these factors, you can find the best Sigma Art lens for your photography needs.

Conclusion: 

We hope this article has helped you decide which Sigma art lens is best for your needs. With a wide range of lenses available, it cannot be easy to narrow down the choices. We have outlined the top 6 Sigma Art Lenses according to their features, price, and performance so that you can find the perfect one for your photography style. No matter what type of image capture you are looking for, a Sigma Art Lens will meet your expectations – at an affordable price too!

FAQs 

What is an Art lens in Sigma?

The lenses in the Art series are known for their exceptional image quality, precise autofocus, and build quality. They are built focusing on optical performance, using complex optical designs and special coatings to produce sharp, accurate images with minimal chromatic aberrations and distortion.
The Sigma Art lenses are designed to meet the demands of modern photographers, with fast maximum apertures, robust construction, and compatibility with the latest camera technology.

What is the difference between the Sigma lens and the Sigma Art lens?

Sigma lenses are designed for a general audience, while Sigma Art lenses are designed for photographers who demand the highest quality and performance. The Art lenses offer better image quality, build quality, and performance but are generally more expensive than the standard Sigma lenses.

How do you know if a Sigma lens is Art?

To determine if a Sigma lens is an Art lens, look for the “Art” designation on the lens or packaging. Sigma Art lenses are typically marketed as such and are visually distinct, with a sleek, modern design and high-quality build. They also typically have fast maximum apertures, precise autofocus, and advanced optical designs.

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