Sigma’s 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN C is the First of Many Fast Lenses Coming to Canon APS-C Cameras

Jun 25, 2024

Side-by-side images showing a Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN lens on the left and a Canon EOS R5 camera with a mounted lens on a tripod on the right. Both items are set outdoors on grass and leaves.

Sigma’s popular 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary zoom lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras is coming to Canon EOS R system cameras.

While Canon has multiple excellent APS-C EOS R series cameras, including the EOS R7, R10, and R50, the company has been criticized by some photographers for a lack of native APS-C RF-S lenses. Now that Canon has welcomed some third-party manufacturers into the RF-mount ecosystem, Sigma is stepping up to answer the call.

A black Sigma zoom lens with a focal length range of 18-50mm, an aperture of f/2.8, and DC DN technology for crop sensor mirrorless cameras. The lens has a ribbed focus ring and markings indicating focal lengths and aperture settings in white text. — Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary (RF mount)

Offering a roughly 29-80mm equivalent focal length and a fast, constant f/2.8 aperture, the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary is well-suited to various photographic applications, including travel, landscape, and portraiture.

The 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN C lens is not new, having been released for E and L-mount cameras in October 2021, but that doesn’t detract from its importance for Canon shooters with APS-C bodies. One can use full-frame lenses on a crop-sensor camera, which eliminates the potential size, weight, and cost advantages of native APS-C glass. As of now, Canon itself has just three RF-S lenses: the RF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM, RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM, and the RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM. They aren’t bad lenses, but they feature slow apertures. Technically, a couple of RF-S Dual Fisheye lenses are also in the works, but those don’t factor into this discussion.

A black Canon EOS R7 camera with a Sigma 18-50mm lens attached. The camera has various control buttons and dials on its body, including a mode dial on the top left and an LCD screen at the back.

Since the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN C has been around for a few years, its features, specs, and real-world performance has been extensively evaluated already. However, for Canon owners who may not have been paying attention to a non-RF lens, it’s worth a brief overview.

The lens is the smallest and lightest in its class (f/2.8 standard zoom lens for APS-C cameras), weighing just 300 grams (10.6 ounces) and measuring a mere 74.5 millimeters (2.9 inches) long. It accepts 55mm filters, has a seven-bladed aperture diaphragm, and features 13 elements across 10 groups, including three high-precision glass-molded aspherical elements.

A Canon DSLR camera with a zoom lens is resting on a mossy log outdoors. The camera has a strap attached, and the scene suggests a rugged environment, possibly a forest or natural setting. The camera's screen and various buttons are visible.

The lens incorporates a stepping motor for its autofocus system, promising quick, quiet, and accurate focusing performance. Like so many modern lenses for mirrorless cameras, Sigma has built its 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN C lens with video in mind, promising stable and smooth focusing for moving pictures. Further, the lens can focus as close as 12.1 to 30 centimeters (4.8 to 11.9 inches) across its zoom range, resulting in a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.8 to 1:5.

Sample Images

Silhouettes of five deer standing in a field at dusk. The sky behind them is tinted with shades of pink, purple, and orange as the sun sets, creating a serene and peaceful scene.

A silhouette of a herd of deer stands against a gradient dawn or dusk sky, which transitions from soft purple to light orange. The tranquil scene highlights the deer's elegant forms amid the serene and colorful backdrop.

Close-up photograph of a white flower with a prominent central spadix, likely a skunk cabbage, taken at ground level in a forest. The background shows bare tree branches against a blue sky, and the flower is surrounded by moss and leaf litter.

The image shows white skunk cabbage flowers with large green leaves growing in a forested area. The sun is shining through the trees in the background, illuminating the scene. The ground around the plants is covered with leaves and small foliage.

A single white antler lies on the forest floor, surrounded by dry, brown leaves, twigs, and patches of green vegetation. The antler has three points, and its textured surface stands out against the earthy background.

Three ponies stand closely together in a grassy field. The closest pony is brown and slightly mottled, the second pony is mostly grey, and the third is a smaller, reddish-brown pony, likely a foal. In the background are leafless trees and a cloudy sky.

Close-up of dense, green moss with star-shaped leaves. The moss covers the entire frame, creating a lush, textured surface. Scattered amongst the moss are a few small, pinkish buds, providing contrast with the vibrant green foliage.

A woman in a white dress and straw hat walks through a blooming field of vibrant orange flowers under a clear blue sky.

A person wearing a purple top and blue jeans is sitting outdoors, holding a small bouquet of yellow flowers. Sunlight filters through the foliage, illuminating the hands and flowers. The scene is serene and peaceful, with delicate flowers in focus.

A person stands with arms outstretched towards the sea under a cloudy sky with sunlight streaming through. The silhouette is captured on a pebble beach, with the horizon almost blending into the tranquil water.

Two individuals walk across a serene rice paddy field at sunset. The sky is a blend of soft pastel hues, reflecting on the water's surface. Silhouettes of distant trees can be seen in the background, enhancing the tranquil atmosphere of the scene.

A hand partially submerged in water allows droplets to fall back into a calm body of water, creating small ripples. The scene is set against a warm, golden sunset, casting reflections and shadows on the water's surface.

Pricing and Availability

The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary lens is available to order now for $599, a $50 premium over existing versions for E, L, and X mount cameras. The lens is expected to start shipping on July 11.

It’s also not Sigma’s only lens coming for Canon APS-C mirrorless cameras. The company has said its 10-18mm f/2.8, 16mm f/1.4, 23mm f/1.4, 30mm f/1.4, and 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary lenses will arrive in RF mount this fall. Tamron will also bring its 11-20mm f/2.8 ASP-C lens to RF mount cameras sometime in 2024. By the end of this year, the Canon RF-S system will be in significantly better shape than at the end of 2023.

Image credits: Sigma

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