A Guide to Sigma Lenses for Sony E-Mount

Welcome to my guide to Sigma lenses for Sony E-mount cameras. This guide covers both APS-C and FE (full-frame) lenses. All of Sigma’s current lenses for Sony E-mount are included along with their specs, a brief review and links to sample images and my recommended reviews from around the Web.

Simply click the link below to jump to either APS-C or FE lenses.

• Sigma APS-C Lenses
• Sigma FE Lenses

Sigma APS-C Lenses for Sony E-Mount

Sigma’s APS-C lenses for Sony E-mount are designed for Sony mirrorless cameras with APS-C sensors like the Sony a5100, a6000, a6300, a6400, and a6500. However, they can also be used on Sony full-frame E-mount cameras like the A7 Series in APS-C / Super 35mm mode.

Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary

If you are looking for one of the sharpest wide-angle APS-C lenses with autofocus, then the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN is certainly a lens that you will want to take a closer look at.

With a maximum aperture of f/1.4 this is a very fast lens. Central sharpness is very good at f/1.4 and f/2, and it becomes even sharper at f/2.8 through to f/8. Diffraction does start to kick in from around f/11 but sharpness still remains good.

There are signs of CA (Chromatic Aberration) both centrally and at the edges of the frame, but this is very low and can easily be corrected in-camera if you are shooting JPEGS and in post if you are shooting raw. Barrel distortion is practically nonexistent and certainly nothing to worry about.

Flare resistance is extremely good and even when shooting directly into the sun it’s very difficult to induce any flare at all. The nine bladed aperture also produces very pleasing sunstars when you step the aperture down.

The focus ring is buttery smooth and the lens itself is well built and weather sealed, the only real downside to this lens is that the AF motor is not the quietest.

For astrophotography shooters this lens does unfortunately exhibit some coma. Stars are nice and round in the center of the frame, but closer to the edges they do start to stretch a little. But that that certainly doesn’t stop this being one of the best APS-C lenses for astrophotography, here’s a YouTube Review worth watching if you shoot astro, and also a Sigma 16mm F1.4 vs Rokinon 12mm F2.0 Comparison for astro.

Pros: Sharpness, price, low CA, build quality, flare resistance
Cons: AF motor noise
Recommended Reviews: Dustin Abbott | Technology Mafia (YouTube)
Sample Photos: Flickr
Lens Construction: 16 elements in 13 groups
Minimum Focusing Distance: 25cm / 9.8in.
Minimum Aperture: f/16
Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
Aperture Blades: 9 rounded
Auto Focus: Yes
Stabilization: No
Filter Thread Size: 67mm
Length: 92.3mm / 3.6in.
Diameter: 72.2mm / 2.8in.
Weight: 405g / 14.3oz

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary

The Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens is one of the sharpest lenses available for Sony E-mount and their APS-C range of cameras. It’s even sharper and offers better contrast than the more expensive Sony E 35 F1.8 lens. A new firmware update has also addressed earlier autofocus issues, although the Sony E 35mm F1.8 is still faster and more accurate when it comes to focusing.

As to be expected with such a wide lens, there is some vignetting when shooting wide-open, with around 1 1/3 stops light lost in the extreme corners. However, stop down to f/1.8 and you’ll already see a big improvement here. There is some lateral CA but this is easily removed in post or corrected in camera with JPEGS. Barrel distortion is definitely present but again this can be corrected in camera or in post.

When shooting wide-open at f/1.4 the central sharpness from this lens needs to be seen to be believed as does the creamy smooth bokeh, you’ll need to step down to f/2.8 to achieve the same levels of sharpness with the Sony E 35mm F1.8.

There’s no doubt that this is a brilliant lens and it’s one that I have recently added to my own gear bag.

Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN (Shot on a6400) @ f/1.4 | 1/400 | ISO 160 | Full Resolution SOOC Download: JPEG | RAW **

Pros: Sharpness, size, price, bokeh
Cons: Vignetting, distortion
Recommended Reviews: Lavikka Photography (YouTube) | DPReview
Sample Photos: Flickr
Lens Construction: 9 elements in 7 groups
Minimum Focusing Distance: 30cm / 11.8in.
Minimum Aperture: f/16
Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
Aperture Blades: 9 rounded
Auto Focus: Yes
Stabilization: No
Filter Thread Size: 52mm
Length: 73.3㎜ / 2.9in
Diameter: 64.8㎜ / 2.55in.
Weight: 265g/ 9.3oz.

Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary

Just like both the Sigma 16mm and the 30mm, the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens delivers level of sharpness that need to be seen to be believed. Central sharpness is excellent from f/1.4 right through to f/11, and it is still very good even at f/16. The extreme edges are very good from f/1.4 to f/2.8 and excellent from f/4 to f/11.

Focusing is both fast and quiet, flare well controlled and the build quality is very high. The bokeh is is very smooth making this an excellent choice for a portrait lens. Chromatic aberration, mild vignetting and distortion is present, but in-camera corrections help to address these and if you shoot raw you can also correct in post.

With a 35mm equivalent focal length of 84mm this lens is ideal for portrait photography. If money were no object I’d certainly like to own one.

Pros: Very sharp, price, build quality, bokeh
Cons: Vignetting, CA
Recommended Reviews: Technology Mafia (YouTube) | Camera Labs
Sample Photos: Flickr
Lens Construction: 10 elements in 6 groups
Minimum Focusing Distance: 50cm / 19.7in.
Minimum Aperture: f/16
Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
Aperture Blades: 9 rounded
Auto Focus: Yes
Stabilization: No
Filter Thread Size: 55mm
Length: 59.5mm / 2.3in
Diameter: 66.5mm / 2.6in.
Weight: 280g / 9.9oz.

Sigma FE Lenses for Sony E-Mount

Sigma’s FE lenses for Sony E-mount are designed for Sony mirrorless cameras with full-frame sensors like the Sony A7 Series and A9. However, they can also be used and are fully compatible with Sony APS-C E-mount cameras.

Sigma 14mm F1.8 DG HSM Art

Without doubt, the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 Art is one of the best ultra-wide angle lenses ever made to this date. This lens has been available in both Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts for some time, but now Sigma has adapted this lens for Sony E-mount. So you are basically getting an SLR designed lens with an adapter bolted on, this means that it does retain its considerable size and weight.

However, despite the rather crude form of adapting this lens to Sony E-mount, this can easily be forgiven since the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 Art produces exceptionally detailed images with very little distortion and chromatic aberration. The lens does have a large bulbous front element so unfortunately it won’t accept screw on filters.

This lens does show signs of coma from f/1.8 to f/2.5 and you might even see traces of coma at f/2.8 if you have very bright stars at the edges of the frame. However, coma is still not as prominent as on many other wide-angle lenses, and also you are unlikely to have very bright stars at the edge of the frame, so I still think it’s a very good choice for astro shooters.

Pros: Extremely sharp, very well built
Cons: Size and weight, coma frame edges
Recommended Reviews: Alyn Wallace (Canon Mount) | DPReview (Nikon Mount)
Sample Photos: Flickr
Minimum Focusing Distance: 27cm / 10.6in.
Minimum Aperture: f/16
Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
Aperture Blades: 9 circular
Auto Focus: Yes
Stabilization: No
Filter Thread Size: N/A
Length: 126 mm
Diameter: 95.4 mm
Weight: 1,120g / 39.5oz.

Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM Art

The Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM Art follows in the footsteps of the wider 14mm lens and thankfully also carries over the excellent levels of sharpness. Unfortunately it does still have the large bulbous front element so it won’t accept screw on filters.

Build quality is extremely high but it does weigh in at 950g. Autofocus is quiet and reasonably fast, but it’s not as fast as native Sony lenses.

Wide-open at f/1.4 and this lens is extremely sharp even in the center, stop down a little to f/2 and f/4 and the sharpness improves even further! The edges are a little softer but not by a lot. Chromatic Aberration is visible when shooting against a bright background, as is a little barrel distortion which you may or may not want to correct in post. Resistance to flare is very good and the bokeh is creamy and smooth.

Vignetting is certainly not the best controlled especially at f/1.4 (−3.02 EV). Step down to f/2.0 and this improves to −1.61 EV, at f/2.8 you’ll see around −0.70 EV. By f/4 and f/5.6 you really have very little to be concerned about.

The Sigma 20mm f/1.4 Art Lens most definitely earns the Art badge. It’s a unique lens that is certainly worth considering if you are looking for something in this focal range with a wide aperture.

Pros: Center sharpness, build quality, wide-aperture, bokeh
Cons: Weight, vignetting
Recommended Reviews: Manny Ortiz (YouTube) | Fstoppers
Sample Photos: Flickr
Lens Construction: 15 elements in 11 groups
Minimum Focusing Distance:27.6 cm / 10.9 in.
Minimum Aperture: f/16
Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
Aperture Blades: 9 rounded
Auto Focus: Yes
Stabilization: No
Filter Thread Size: N/A
Length: 129.8mm / 5.1in.
Diameter: 90.7mm / 3.6in.
Weight: 950 g / 33.5 oz.

Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG HSM Art

If you don’t mind the size and weight of this lens, then the Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG HSM Art lens is definitely worth taking a much closer look at. Like all of the Art series of lenses from Sigma the build quality is top notch and central sharpness is excellent from f/1.4 up to f/11, the edges are a little softer until you reach f/2.8.

Flare resistance is quite good and the bokeh is pleasing for a 24mm lens. Chromatic aberrations (either lateral or longitudinal) are not a significant issue but there is a very minor amount of fringing when shooting subjects against a very bright background. Coma performance shooting wide open at f/1.4 however could be improved, you’ll need to step down to f/2.8 before you see a significant improvement which is worth baring in mind if you shoot astro. Vignetting is certainly visible wide open and you’ll need to step down to f/5.6 before this improves.

Since this lens was released Sony have released the excellent FE 24mm F1.4 GM lens, which if you can afford (it’s around double the price) should most definitely be your first choice over this particular Sigma 24mm.

Pros: Excellent center sharpness, flare performance, distortion, price
Cons: Edge sharpness, coma, heavy, focusing
Recommended Reviews: Manny Ortiz (YouTube) | Dustin Abbott
Sample Photos: Dustin Abbott
Lens Construction: 15 elements in 11 groups
Minimum Focusing Distance: 25 cm / 9.8 in.
Minimum Aperture: f/16
Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
Aperture Blades: 9 rounded
Auto Focus: Yes
Stabilization: No
Filter Thread Size: 77mm
Length: 90.2mm / 3.6 in
Diameter: 85mm / 3.3in.
Weight: 665 g / 23.5 oz.

Sigma 28mm F1.4 DG HSM Art

Recommended Reviews: Christopher Frost (Canon Mount)
Sample Photos: DPReview (Shot on Canon)
Lens Construction: 17 elements in 12 groups
Minimum Focusing Distance: 28cm / 11in.
Minimum Aperture: f/16
Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
Aperture Blades: 9 rounded
Auto Focus: Yes
Stabilization: No
Filter Thread Size: 77mm
Length: 107.7mm / 4.2in.
Diameter: 82.8mm / 3.2in.
Weight: 865g / 30.5oz.

Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM Art

Recommended Reviews: Fstoppers | Gerald Undone (YouTube)
Sample Photos: Flickr
Lens Construction: 13 elements in 11 groups
Minimum Focusing Distance: 30cm / 11.8in
Minimum Aperture: f/16
Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
Aperture Blades: 9 rounded
Auto Focus: Yes
Stabilization: No
Filter Thread Size: 67mm
Length: 94.0mm / 3.7in.
Diameter: 77mm / 3.0in.
Weight: 665g / 23.5oz.

Sigma 40mm F1.4 DG HSM Art

Recommended Reviews: Gerald Undone | Kai Wong (YouTube + Canon Mount) | Camera Labs (Canon Mount) |
Sample Photos: Flickr
Lens Construction: 16 elements in 12 groups
Minimum Focusing Distance: 40cm / 15.7in.
Minimum Aperture: f/16
Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
Aperture Blades: 9 rounded
Auto Focus: Yes
Stabilization: No
Filter Thread Size: 82mm
Length: 131mm / 5.1in.
Diameter: 87.8mm / 3.4in.
Weight: 1,200g / 42.3oz.

Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM Art

Recommended Reviews: Fstoppers | Dustin Abbott (YouTube)
Sample Photos: Flickr
Lens Construction: 13 elements in 8 groups
Minimum Focusing Distance: 40cm / 15.7 in.
Minimum Aperture: f/16
Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
Aperture Blades: 9 rounded
Auto Focus: Yes
Stabilization: No
Filter Thread Size: 77mm
Length: 99.9mm / 3.9in.
Diameter: 85.4mm / 3.4in.
Weight: 815g / 28.7 oz.

Sigma 70mm F2.8 DG Macro Art

The Sigma 70mm F2.8 DG Macro lens for Sony E-mount (full-frame) is the first macro lens from Sigma that has been adapted to Sony E-mount. However, the word adapted here is very important since the E-mount version of this lens has been adapted from their Canon and Sigma versions that were originally designed for SLR cameras and not mirrorless. The additional adapter that is built onto the back of the lens body for the E-mount does add extra weight and length to the lens over its SLR equivalents.

Still, despite this lens being adapted from their SLR versions, it is a beautiful lens that costs almost half the price of the Sony FE 90mm F2.8 G OSS macro lens. The images that it produces are razor sharp across the frame, chromatic aberration is well controlled as is distortion. The boken is silky smooth and the lens feels like all Sigma Art lenses do, extremely well built!

a7R III + Sigma 70mm F2.8 Macro @ 1/1000 | f/5.6 | ISO 500 | Cropped | ** Full Resolution SOOC Download: JPEG | RAW

Autofocus on this lens is not the fastest, you certainly won’t be nailing sharp images of any bugs in flight. However, for macro work I’m using this lens in manual mode 99% of the time so I’m not worried about AF performance. The large focusing ring is extremely smooth and gives you a lot of precision when manually focusing, however this precision comes at a price, as the focus ring requires around 10 twists of the wrist to go from minimum to maximum distance.

Unlike the Sony 90mm Macro, the Sigma does extend when you focus. However, it never extends further than the lens hood and has never been an issue for me personally. As it’s a 70mm lens with a working distance of 0.25m, you will need to get very close to your subject for 1:1 images, so there is always a risk of casting a shadow or scaring off your subject.

I own this lens myself and for the price you really can’t go wrong with it.

Pros: Extremely sharp, color rendition, chromatic aberration, build quality, price
Cons: Slow autofocus, manual focus ring
Recommended Reviews: My Review
Sample Photos: My Review
Lens Construction: 13 elements in 10 groups
Maximum Magnification Ratio: 1:1
Minimum Focusing Distance: 25.8cm / 10.2in
Minimum Aperture: f/22
Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
Aperture Blades: 9 circular
Auto Focus: Yes
Stabilization: No
Filter Thread Size: 49 mm
Length: 130 mm (min) 181 mm (max)
Diameter: 70.8 mm
Weight: 622g / 21.9oz (inc lens hood)

Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG HSM Art

The Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG HSM Art is a beautiful lens that’s extremely well built and as sharp as they come. Central sharpness and even edge sharpness from f/1.4 through to f/11 is excellent, only starting to drop off around f/16.

Distortion is barely worth mentioning and flare resistance is very good. Bokeh is as smooth and creamy as it gets which helps to make this lens a great choice for portrait photography. Vignetting is rather on the high side, reaching 49% (−1.92 EV) when shooting wide-open at f/1.4 but thankfully this drops to just 27% (−0.89 EV) at f/2 and by f/2.8 it’s really no trouble at (15% and −0.46 EV).

Autofocus is both fast and accurate but there is no stabilization built into the lens. At 1,130g this is definitely not a light lens and you certainly won’t forget that it’s mounted to your camera.

Although the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG HSM Art is an excellent lens, it face very stiff competition from Sony’s own FE 85mm F1.4 GM lens along with the Sony FE 85mm F1.8 lens both of which are considerably lighter.

Pros: Extremely sharp, fast and quiet autofocus, well built, price
Cons: Heavy, vignetting
Recommended Reviews: Jason Vong (YouTube) | Fstoppers
Sample Photos: FlickR | DPReview
Lens Construction: 14 elements in 12 groups
Minimum Focusing Distance: 85cm / 33.5in.
Minimum Aperture: f/16
Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
Aperture Blades: 9 rounded
Auto Focus: Yes
Stabilization: No
Filter Thread Size: 86mm
Length: 126.2mm / 5.0in.
Diameter: 94.7mm / 3.7in.
Weight: 1,130g / 39.9oz.

Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM Art

The Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens for Sony full-frame E-mount is an exceptionally sharp lens even when shooting wide-open at f/1.4. Autofocus works almost as fast as Sony native lenses in good lighting, but in poor light autofocus starts to struggle a little more. There is very little in the way of vignetting and almost nonexistent chromatic aberrations.

However, despite its positives you can’t really overlook the fact that this lens weighs a massive 1645g and will make your a7III look tiny, but once you see the images that this bokeh beast is capable of creating you’ll soon forget about the size and weight issue. If I had money to burn I would certainly add this lens to my gear bag despite not shooting many portraits myself.

Pros: Exceptionally sharp wide-open, build quality, CA control, creamy bokeh
Cons: Large and heavy, filter size, autofocus speed
Recommended Reviews: Manny Ortiz (YouTube)
Sample Photos: Flickr
Lens Construction: 17 elements in 12 groups
Minimum Focusing Distance: 100cm / 39.4in.
Minimum Aperture: f/16
Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
Aperture Blades: 9 rounded
Auto Focus: Yes
Stabilization: No
Filter Thread Size: 105 mm
Length: 131.5 mm / 5.2in
Diameter: 115 mm / 4.6in
Weight: 1,645g / 58oz.

Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art

The Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art lens is currently the longest prime lens that Sigma makes for Sony E-mount and just like all of their other Art lenses this one also oozes quality. The lens is very well built and the controls are silky smooth, it’s also weather sealed to protect it from the elements.

Autofocus is both accurate and fast and central sharpness is excellent from f/1.8 to f/8, at f/11 and f/16 it drops a little but is still very sharp. Even the edges wide-open at f/1.8 are sharp.

CA (Chromatic Aberration) is barely visible so there is little need for corrections in post. There is a small amount of pincushion distortion but nothing worth worrying about even for architecture shoots.

Flare control is very good although vignetting at f/1.8 is fairly high at 42% (−1.56 EV), but by f/2.8 it’s down to 12% (−0.37 EV), and by f/4.0 it disappears more or less completely (7% and −0.20 EV).

This lens has beautiful creamy bokeh which is most definitely its stand out feature along with excellent sharpness. I’m in no doubt that many Alpha shooters will mount this lens to their e-mount cameras.

Pros: Sharpness, flare control, bokeh, price
Cons: Heavy, no stabililization, vignetting wide-open
Recommended Reviews: Manny Ortiz (YouTube) | Camera Labs (Nikon Mount)
Sample Photos: Flickr
Lens Construction: 13 elements in 10 groups
Minimum Focusing Distance: 87.5cm / 34.4in.
Minimum Aperture: f/16
Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
Aperture Blades: 9 rounded
Auto Focus: Yes
Stabilization: No
Filter Thread Size: 82mm
Length: 114.9mm / 4.5in.
Diameter: 91.4mm / 3.6in.
Weight: 1,130g / 39.9oz.

Further E-Mount Lens Resources

• The Best Sony FE Lenses Guide
• The Best Sony APS-C Lenses Guide