Sigma’s 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art is the First f/1.8 Zoom Lens for Full-Frame Mirrorless

Jun 03, 2024

A person is holding a Sony camera in their right hand and a detached Sigma lens in their left hand. The background appears to be an outdoor setting with greenery.

Sigma announced the 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art for Sony E and Leica L-mount cameras. Carrying on the spirit of the now legendary 18-35mm f/1.8 for APS-C DSLR cameras, this new zoom is the world’s first with a constant f/1.8 aperture for full-frame mirrorless camera systems.

Spanning several popular focal lengths, Sigma says the new lens doesn’t compromise on optical performance and instead provides an experience that would be expected from carrying multiple prime lenses. Sigma’s new zoom lens is constructed from 18 elements arranged into 15 groups, including three aspherical lens elements and five SLD glass elements to suppress multiple types of aberrations. The company is so confident in the lens that it says it surpasses the quality of the 24mm f/1.4 DG DN Art and 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art prime lenses.

A black Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art zoom lens designed for mirrorless cameras, featuring multiple control rings for zoom, focus, and aperture adjustments, with the Sigma logo visible on the barrel.

Sigma says that the 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art is especially good at suppressing axial chromatic aberration, which is more noticeable on large-aperture lenses. Its engineers have created a lens with minimal coloration on both the focus plane and bokeh so that it can provide high optical performance even wide open.

A black camera lens with various dials and switches, including an autofocus/manual focus switch and a zoom dial indicating zoom levels "IN" and "OUT." The lens hood is fitted and the lens is viewed from the side with the mount on the right.

It features an aperture range of f/1.8 through f/16 via an 11-bladed diaphragm. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 11.8 inches (30 centimeters) throughout the entire zoom range and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:4 at 45mm.

Person wearing a rust-colored jacket holds a Sony Alpha 7R camera outdoors with a blurred natural background. The person's face is not visible, and the focus is on the camera.

Sigma also equipped the 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art with an internal zoom (the lens does not physically change length when zoomed) and a high-response linear actuator (HLA) autofocus motor to allow for fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus. It also has an optical design that Sigma says minimizes focus breathing and a click/de-click switch and lockable aperture ring — all great features for video shooters. The lens is also dust and splash-resistant.

A black camera lens lying on a bed of moss in a natural outdoor setting. The lens is angled slightly, showing its reflective glass elements with green and purple hues. The background is blurred, highlighting the lens as the focal point of the image.

A Sigma camera lens is positioned on a tree branch in a lush, green forest. The foreground and background are blurred, bringing sharp focus to the lens, which features various adjustment rings and markings. Ferns and foliage surround the scene.

The 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art supports DMF and AF+MF focusing, is compatible with Sony’s AF assist, and works with cameras that support Lens Aberration Correction. For select L-mount cameras, the lens also supports switching between linear and non-linear focus ring settings. The body of the lens features two AFL buttons.

Below are a few sample images captured with the lens, provided courtesy of Sigma:

A woman with long black hair and tattoos sits on a black leather couch in a dimly lit room with ornate wallpaper. She wears a black sleeveless top and rests her arm on the back of the couch, looking thoughtfully into the distance.

A field of white and pink tulips in full bloom is in the foreground, with a modern glass building illuminated in the evening light in the background. Behind the flowers, two people are seen walking and engaging in conversation. Trees with green foliage are visible.

Group of people gather near a statue surrounded by blooming tulips in front of the illuminated Wisconsin State Capitol at dusk. The sky is partly cloudy, and the building's golden dome contrasts against the evening sky. Trees frame the scene.

Close-up view of threads on a traditional weaving loom with a blurry figure of a person operating the loom in the background. The image focuses on the aligned threads stretching towards the weaver, capturing the intricate details of the weaving process.

A delicate sprig of white flowers with green leaves extends from a muted, striped vase, which is placed on a woven, beige mat, creating a serene and minimalist composition.

Close-up of a wooden bench covered with scattered pink cherry blossom petals. The petals are both on the bench slats and the ground below, creating a delicate and colorful scene.

A small bouquet of delicate pink and white flowers with green leaves in a simple, striped vase placed on a wooden surface. The background is softly focused, highlighting the floral arrangement as the focal point.

Close-up of a single purple tulip covered with water droplets, standing against a solid black background. The tulip's stem is green, and the petals showcase a range of purple hues, highlighting its texture and delicate details.

A vibrant field of red poppies bathed in warm sunlight stretches into the distance. The flowers, with their delicate petals and green stems, create a sea of red and green. The scene exudes a peaceful, summertime atmosphere.

Close-up of green leaves covered in water droplets. The leaves have elongated shapes and appear fresh and vibrant, with the water droplets glistening, likely after recent rain or watering.

A vibrant field of lupine flowers in full bloom, showcasing a variety of colors including purple, pink, and white. The flowers stand tall above lush green foliage, with trees in the background, indicating a serene woodland area.

A scenic view of a mountain range at sunrise, with a prominent rocky peak in the foreground. Trees with sparse foliage are visible on the slope, and misty layers of distant mountains fade into the horizon, creating a serene and atmospheric landscape.

A lone tree stands on a rocky outcrop, bathed in soft golden light, with distant mountains and a sprawling valley in the background. The scene captures the rugged beauty of nature with muted colors and a calm atmosphere.

Close-up of several young fern fronds unfurling in the early morning light. The delicate green curls are highlighted by the sun, creating a vibrant and fresh scene in a natural setting with a blurred background of greenery.

A close-up photograph shows a brown pine cone resting on green, fluffy moss. The pine cone's scales are clearly visible, contrasting with the soft texture of the moss in the background. The overall tone of the image is earthy and natural.

Close-up of several delicate bluebell flowers on slender green stems, with water droplets visible on one of the buds. The background is an out-of-focus blend of green foliage and trees, evoking a serene, natural setting.

Make no mistake, the 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art is not small (it measures 87.8 x 151.4mm or 3.5 x 6.0 inches), but Sigma says it has dedicated efforts to making it as light as possible. Despite all the physics working against it, Sigma managed to keep the lens under a kilogram in weight (less than a Nikon Plena) at 960 grams (33.9 ounces).

Sigma’s 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art will be available for Sony E and Leica L-mount on June 20 for $1,349.

Image credits: Sigma