The Ultimate SIGMA Lens Buying Guide

Jun 12, 2025

SIGMA

A wildlife photographer with a large camera and tripod photographs a puma in a mountainous landscape with snow-capped peaks and rocky terrain. The puma looks alert in the right panel, with mountains blurred in the background.

Since its founding in 1961 by Michihiro Yamaki, SIGMA has established itself as a pioneer in the world of photography. By primarily focusing on producing camera lenses, SIGMA quickly gained recognition for delivering high-performance optics at competitive prices. SIGMA’s Art, Contemporary, and Sports lens lines offer photographers and filmmakers professional-grade image quality and craftsmanship.

Full disclosure: This article was brought to you by SIGMA.

At a Glance

SIGMA’s success is often tied to its unwavering commitment to quality and value. Every SIGMA lens reflects a meticulous design philosophy that prioritizes optical excellence, durability, and usability. Lens features such as advanced coatings, sophisticated lens elements, and superior autofocus capabilities provide unmatched value for photographers seeking reliability coupled with exceptional image quality.

SIGMA’s state-of-the-art factory in Aizu, Japan, is the heart of its manufacturing operations. Aside from a small number of processes, almost every aspect of SIGMA lens manufacturing takes place inside this factory. By maintaining production in Japan, SIGMA not only preserves its heritage but also ensures that every lens meets the company’s high standards, solidifying its reputation as a leader in optical innovation. SIGMA lenses are truly ‘Made in Japan.’

With dozens of lenses available for modern cameras, we have compiled a list of SIGMA lenses that best fit for a variety of photography genres.

First, it’s important to understand the differences between SIGMA’s Art, Contemporary, and Sports lens lines. Art lenses provide the sharpest, most detailed image quality. Contemporary lenses, while not quite as sharp as Art lenses, provide high quality images in a more compact package. The Sports lenses deliver rugged lenses that provide a fast aperture and autofocus system, ideal for fast moving action.

Additionally, SIGMA lenses are marked with one of three designations which point to the type of camera system it can be used with.

DC: Designed for APS-C (crop sensor) cameras.
DN: Designed for mirrorless cameras (full-frame and APS-C).
DG: Designed for full-frame cameras (can also be used on APS-C).

To help you find the perfect optic for your needs, this guide is organized by shooting genre, highlighting the top SIGMA lenses for every type of photographer.

Landscape Photography: Capturing the Beauty of the Great Outdoors

Landscape photography is the art of capturing the world around us, from sweeping mountain ranges to serene coastal scenes. Great lenses for this genre typically offer exceptional sharpness across the entire frame to render fine details, often feature wider focal lengths to encompass broad vistas, and possess robust weather sealing to withstand unpredictable outdoor conditions. While zoom lenses provide versatility, prime lenses are often favored for their ultimate image quality and wider maximum apertures, which can be beneficial for low-light situations like dawn, dusk, or even astro-landscapes.

1. SIGMA 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN | Art

Best For: Ultimate Image Quality & Versatile Wide-Angle Zoom
Why It’s Great for Landscapes: This lens is a powerhouse for landscape photographers who demand uncompromising image quality. Its ultra-wide 14-24mm zoom range allows for dramatic perspectives, from capturing the full scale of a scene to emphasizing foreground elements. The constant f/2.8 aperture is excellent for gathering light in twilight conditions and offers some creative depth-of-field control, while its optical construction delivers stunning sharpness, contrast, and color fidelity from edge to edge. Robust weather sealing ensures it can handle the rigors of outdoor adventures.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 14-24mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
- Filter: Rear filter holder
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: The 14-24mm f/2.8 Art is a go-to lens for countless professional landscape photographers, and for good reason. It consistently delivers breathtakingly sharp images with beautiful rendering. Its build quality inspires confidence, making it a workhorse you can rely on when conditions get tough. While an investment, its optical prowess makes it worth every penny for those serious about landscape imagery.

Waves crashing against dark rocks at sunset, with water splashing high and glowing in the golden light. The ocean is turbulent, and the sky is clear and orange near the horizon. — 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN | Art (Darren White)

2. SIGMA 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary

Best For: The Ultimate APS-C Wide-Angle & Best Value
Why It’s Great for Landscapes: This lens is a game-changer for landscape photographers using APS-C cameras. Its ultra-wide 10-18mm zoom range allows for incredibly dynamic and expansive compositions, from vast mountain vistas to dramatic foregrounds. The bright, constant f/2.8 aperture is a huge advantage in low light and provides creative control. Most impressively, it delivers all this performance in one of the smallest and lightest packages available, making it the perfect lens for hiking and travel.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 10-18mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
- Filter Size: ø67mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount, FUJIFILM X Mount
SIGMA Perspective: The 10-18mm f/2.8 Contemporary brings the power of an ultra-wide, bright-aperture zoom to the compact APS-C system. It delivers a perspective that unleashes immense creative potential, all in a package so small it seems almost impossible. It’s the perfect tool for photographers who want to travel light but still capture vast, dramatic scenes with impressive sharpness and clarity, proving you don’t need a large kit to create breathtaking landscape images.

3. SIGMA 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary

Best For: Excellent Value & Travel-Friendly Landscapes
Why It’s Great for Landscapes: For landscape enthusiasts looking for a more compact and affordable wide-angle zoom without a significant drop in quality, the 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary is an outstanding choice. It offers a very useful focal range for landscapes, a bright constant f/2.8 aperture, and impressive sharpness in a lightweight package. This makes it ideal for hikers, travelers, or anyone wanting to keep their camera bag manageable. The ability to use standard 72mm front filters is also a practical advantage for polarizer or ND filter use.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 16-28mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
- Filter Size: ø72mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: The 16-28mm F2.8 Contemporary is remarkably light and compact for a full-frame f/2.8 wide-angle zoom, yet it punches well above its weight in image quality. It’s a lens that makes you want to take it everywhere, perfect for capturing stunning landscapes without being weighed down.

4. SIGMA 20mm f/1.4 DG DN | Art

Best For: Exceptional Low-Light Landscapes & Astrophotography Crossover
Why It’s Great for Landscapes: This prime lens is a masterpiece for landscape photographers who often shoot in challenging low-light conditions or dabble in astrophotography. The ultra-wide f/1.4 aperture is exceptional for gathering light, allowing for lower ISOs or capturing starry skies with stunning clarity. As an Art lens, it delivers incredible sharpness across the frame, even wide open, with excellent control over aberrations like sagittal coma flare, which is critical for pinpoint stars. Its 20mm focal length offers a compelling wide perspective for dramatic landscapes.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 20mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
- Filter: Rear filter holder and ø82mm front filter thread
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: The 20mm f/1.4 Art isn’t just a lens; it’s an optical instrument. The sharpness and clarity it produces, especially at f/1.4, are simply astounding. For landscape photographers who push into the twilight hours or aim their cameras skyward, this lens unlocks incredible creative potential with its light-gathering capabilities and stellar image quality.

5. SIGMA 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary

Best For: Ultra-Compact Wide-Angle & Discreet Landscape Adventures
Why It’s Great for Landscapes: The 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary offers an impressively wide field of view in an incredibly compact and lightweight all-metal body. This makes it an ideal companion for landscape photographers who prioritize portability, such as long-distance hikers or those wanting a discreet setup. While its f/4 aperture isn’t as fast as others on this list, it’s more than sufficient for most daytime landscape scenarios, and the lens delivers sharp, vibrant images.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 17mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/4
- Filter Size: ø55mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: The renewed 17mm f/4 Contemporary is a gem for the minimalist landscape photographer. Its tiny size belies its optical capabilities, delivering crisp images with a pleasingly wide perspective. The all-metal construction feels premium, and it’s the kind of lens you can slip into any bag and always have ready for that unexpected scenic opportunity.

Astrophotography: Capturing the Cosmos

Astrophotography is a demanding yet rewarding genre focused on capturing the beauty of the night sky. Astrophotographer’s main challenge is gathering faint light from distant stars and galaxies, which requires lenses with very wide maximum apertures (like f/1.4 or f/1.8) to keep ISO levels low and avoid noise. A wide-angle focal length is essential for capturing expansive subjects like the Milky Way, while superior optical quality is needed to render stars as sharp pinpoints of light from corner to corner, free of aberrations like sagittal coma flare.

1. SIGMA 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art

Best For: The Ultimate Astrophotography Lens
Why It’s Great for Astrophotography: This lens was built from the ground up for astrophotography, and it shows. As the world’s first and only 14mm lens with an f/1.4 aperture, it gathers an incredible amount of light, allowing for stunningly clean and detailed night sky images. It boasts exceptional control over optical aberrations, ensuring stars remain pinpoint-sharp across the entire frame. It also includes unique, thoughtful features for astrophotographers, like a Manual Focus Lock (MFL) switch, a lens heater retainer to prevent dew, and a tripod socket.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 14mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
- Filter: Rear filter holder
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: The 14mm f/1.4 Art is an unprecedented tool for capturing the universe. It’s an optical masterpiece, engineered without compromise to deliver a level of performance in astrophotography that was previously unattainable. The combination of the ultra-wide 14mm perspective and the immense light-gathering power of f/1.4 unlocks a new level of detail and clarity, rendering stars as perfect points of light against the deep black of space.

The Milky Way stretches brightly across a star-filled night sky above large clouds, with its reflection visible on a calm, shallow body of water below. — 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art (Jack Fusco)

2. SIGMA 20mm f/1.4 DG DN | Art

Best For: The Benchmark Wide-Angle Prime
Why It’s Great for Astrophotography: The 20mm f/1.4 Art is a modern classic for night sky photography, offering a perfect balance of a wide field of view and extreme light-gathering capability. It delivers the stellar sharpness and aberration control expected from the Art line, producing crystal-clear images of the cosmos. A key practical advantage is its ability to accept both 82mm front filters and rear filters, making it a highly versatile option for photographers who also shoot landscapes and want to use standard filter systems.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 20mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
- Filter: ø82mm front thread and rear filter holder
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: For many night sky photographers, the 20mm f/1.4 Art is the gold standard. It has a reputation for incredible clarity and control, delivering exceptional images no matter the setting. Its performance at f/1.4 is stunning, providing the speed needed for demanding astro situations while maintaining superb sharpness. It’s a lens that consistently inspires confidence and delivers breathtaking results.

3. SIGMA 24mm F1.4 DG DN | Art

Best For: The Versatile Low-Light Performer
Why It’s Great for Astrophotography: This lens offers the legendary f/1.4 aperture and Art line image quality in the highly versatile 24mm focal length. This classic perspective is wide enough for grand celestial scenes but also provides a natural field of view for other disciplines. For the astrophotographer, it delivers sharp images, while its versatility makes it an ideal choice for those who need a single, fast prime lens for everything from nightscapes to travel and environmental portraits.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 24mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
- Filter Size: ø72mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: The 24mm f/1.4 Art is a favorite among photographers who want a natural yet expansive view of the world. It’s a true artist’s tool, capable of performing brilliantly in the most demanding low-light scenarios, from capturing the Milky Way to shooting portraits at dusk. Its combination of a classic focal length, a fast aperture, and outstanding optical quality makes it one of the most adaptable lenses available.

4. SIGMA 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN | Art

Best For: The Versatile Astro-Landscape Zoom
Why It’s Great for Astrophotography: For photographers who need the flexibility to compose their shots perfectly, this zoom is an outstanding choice. Its f/2.8 aperture is consistently bright and fast enough for high-quality astrophotography, while the 14-24mm range allows for immense creative freedom in framing. It’s renowned for its sharpness, which holds up remarkably well across the zoom range, making it a powerful tool for capturing detailed night skies. It’s the ideal lens for a landscape photographer who doesn’t want to pack a separate lens just for after dark.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 14-24mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
- Filter: Rear filter holder
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: The 14-24mm f/2.8 Art frees the photographer from the constraints of a single focal length without a meaningful sacrifice in quality. It’s designed to be a workhorse for the serious outdoor photographer, delivering the sharpness and clarity needed for demanding astro work while providing the flexibility to adapt to any composition. It proves that a zoom lens can be a primary tool for capturing the cosmos.

Wildlife Photography: Capturing the Untamed World

Wildlife photography is a thrilling pursuit that requires patience, skill, and the right equipment to capture animals in their natural habitat. The ideal lenses for this genre provide significant telephoto reach to photograph subjects from a safe and respectful distance. Critically, they must have fast, responsive, and quiet autofocus systems to track moving animals, along with effective optical stabilization (OS) to ensure sharp images when shooting handheld. A durable, weather-sealed construction is also essential for enduring the demanding conditions of the outdoors.

1. SIGMA 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS | Sports

Best For: The Ultimate Portable Super-Telephoto
Why It’s Great for Wildlife: This lens is a marvel of optical engineering, delivering 500mm of super-telephoto reach in a stunningly compact and lightweight body. This makes it a dream for wildlife photographers who hike or travel, as it’s easy to carry and can be used handheld for extended periods. As a prime lens, it offers exceptional sharpness and image quality, while the high-speed HLA autofocus motor quickly and quietly locks onto subjects.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 500mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/5.6
- Filter Size: ø95mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: The 500mm f/5.6 Sports redefines what a 500mm lens can be. It shatters the expectation that super-telephoto reach must come with immense size and weight. Its exceptional optical quality and fast autofocus are housed in a body so portable it gives photographers the freedom to be more mobile than ever before. It’s the perfect tool for capturing fleeting moments in the wild without being weighed down.

2. SIGMA 300-600mm F4 DG OS | Sports

Best For: The Ultimate Pro Super-Telephoto Zoom
Why It’s Great for Wildlife: A brand-new 2025 release, this lens is a game-changer for serious wildlife photographers. Its 300-600mm range is perfect for capturing everything from large mammals to small, distant birds. The constant f/4 maximum aperture provides a critical advantage in the low light of dawn and dusk when animals are most active. This allows for faster shutter speeds to freeze motion and lower ISOs for cleaner, more detailed images. The pro-grade build and fast autofocus make it a top-tier choice for photographers who demand the best.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 300-600mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/4
- Filter: Rear drop-in filter
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: The 300-600mm f/4 Sports represents the new pinnacle of super-telephoto zoom performance. The constant f/4 aperture at 600mm is a direct response to the needs of professional wildlife photographers working in challenging, unpredictable light. It offers an unparalleled combination of reach, brightness, and sharpness, designed to capture the untamed world with uncompromising clarity and detail, no matter the conditions.

A puma sits in tall grass, gazing into the distance, with a blurred yellow and blue background suggesting open plains and sky. — 300-600mm F4 DG OS | Sports (Liam Doran)

3. SIGMA 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS | Sports

Best For: Low-Light Wildlife & Environmental Portraits
Why It’s Great for Wildlife: The “F2.8” is the key feature here. This lens’s bright, constant maximum aperture allows for faster shutter speeds in low-light conditions, like under a dark forest canopy or at dawn, and creates beautiful background blur that makes wildlife subjects pop. While its reach is shorter, it’s perfect for larger animals, zoo enclosures, or any situation where you want to capture an animal within the context of its stunning environment. Its versatility also makes it a top-tier lens for sports and portraiture.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 70-200mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
- Filter Size: ø77mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: The 70-200mm f/2.8 Sports is about more than just reach; it’s about capturing atmosphere. Its f/2.8 aperture is a powerful tool for storytelling, allowing for crisp, detailed subjects that are beautifully isolated from their surroundings. It excels when the light is challenging, delivering professional-grade performance and stunning, three-dimensional images that truly bring the scene to life.

4. SIGMA 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports

Best For: Unmatched All-in-One Versatility
Why It’s Great for Wildlife: Dubbed the “Bigma,” this lens is the ultimate “one-lens solution” for wildlife. Its incredible 10x zoom range, from a standard 60mm to a super-telephoto 600mm, means you are prepared for literally any opportunity. You can capture a wide shot of a herd and, without moving, instantly zoom in for a tight portrait of a single animal. The newly developed HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) motor delivers exceptionally fast and precise autofocus across the entire zoom range.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 60-600mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/4.5-6.3
- Filter Size: ø105mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: Wildlife photography is unpredictable, and the 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 Sports is the answer to that unpredictability. Its unprecedented zoom range eliminates the need to carry multiple lenses, ensuring you never miss a shot because you didn’t have the right focal length. It’s a technical marvel that offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing photographers to react instantly and capture any scene, near or far, with confidence and clarity.

Travel & Documentary: Storytelling Near and Far

This broad category is for the visual storyteller. It encompasses everything from capturing the energy of a bustling city street and the clean lines of modern architecture to documenting daily life and the adventures of travel. Lenses for this work must be versatile and reliable. Zooms offer the flexibility to adapt to any scene, while compact prime lenses provide discretion and superior low-light performance. Above all, these lenses must render the world with clarity and character, helping the photographer to tell compelling stories with every frame.

1. SIGMA 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN | Art

Best For: The Professional’s All-In-One Zoom
Why It’s Great for Travel & Documentary: This is the go-to lens for photographers who need maximum versatility without compromising on image quality. The 24-70mm range covers everything from wide architectural shots and landscapes to compelling portraits and details. Its bright f/2.8 aperture performs beautifully in low light, while the Art line optics deliver professional-grade sharpness and clarity, making it a top choice for high-end documentary projects and one-lens travel.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 24-70mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
- Filter Size: ø82mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: The 24-70mm f/2.8 Art is considered a benchmark for a reason. It’s a lens that can reliably handle nearly any assignment, delivering the highest level of optical performance across its entire zoom range. For photographers who need to be ready for anything, from a fast-breaking news story to a stunning travel vista, this lens provides the confidence that the shot will be captured with exceptional clarity and detail.

2. SIGMA 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN | Contemporary

Best For: The Lightweight Everyday & Travel Zoom
Why It’s Great for Travel & Documentary: This lens offers the highly desirable f/2.8 constant aperture in a remarkably compact and lightweight body. It’s the ideal choice for the traveler, street photographer, or documentarian who prioritizes mobility. The versatile zoom range handles most everyday situations, and its smaller size makes it far more discreet than its larger professional counterparts, allowing for more candid captures.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 28-70mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
- Filter Size: ø67mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: The 28-70mm f/2.8 Contemporary proves that a high-performance, bright-aperture zoom doesn’t have to be cumbersome. It’s a tool designed for freedom, providing outstanding image quality in a package that’s a joy to carry all day. It’s the perfect companion for capturing spontaneous moments, making it an ideal choice for travel, family documentary, and everyday creative photography.

3. SIGMA 16-300mm F3.5-6.7 DC OS | Contemporary

Best For: The Ultimate All-in-One Mirrorless Travel Lens
Why It’s Great for Travel & Documentary: This lens is the definition of a “one-lens solution,” designed for APS-C mirrorless camera users who want to be prepared for any photographic opportunity. Its massive focal range starts at a true wide-angle 16mm, perfect for landscapes, and extends to a powerful 300mm telephoto for distant details. The built-in Optical Stabilization (OS) ensures sharper images when shooting handheld across the entire zoom range. It’s the perfect choice for a trip where you want to pack light but miss nothing.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 16-300mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/3.5-6.7
- Filter Size: ø72mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount, FUJIFILM X Mount, Canon RF Mount
SIGMA Perspective: The 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 Contemporary is a tool of pure freedom. It’s for the traveler who wants to experience the world without being burdened by gear. Its incredible zoom range ensures that whether the subject is a sprawling cityscape or a single bird on a distant branch, the shot is never out of reach. It’s the ultimate travel companion, delivering impressive versatility and reliable performance so the photographer can focus on the moment, not on the contents of their camera bag.

A seaside village with white houses and red-tiled roofs sits on a cliff above the ocean. Waves crash against rocks, and a few people are on the sandy beach below. A stone wall and a fence line the edge of the cliff. — 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 Contemporary (Julie Mayfeng)

4. SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art

Best For: Classic Street & Documentary Storytelling
Why It’s Great for Travel & Documentary: The 35mm focal length is legendary in the world of documentary and street photography for its ability to capture subjects with just the right amount of environmental context. This Art series prime lens delivers breathtaking sharpness and beautiful rendering, while its f/1.4 aperture is a powerhouse in low light, perfect for capturing the mood of a city at night or dimly lit interiors.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 35mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
- Filter Size: ø67mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: There is a special character to the 35mm field of view that has made it the choice of countless iconic photographers. The 35mm f/1.4 Art takes that classic perspective and elevates it with modern optical perfection. Its ability to render scenes with stunning clarity, even at f/1.4, makes it a powerful instrument for storytelling, capable of creating images with both a strong narrative and beautiful artistic quality.

5. SIGMA 50mm F1.4 DG DN | Art

Best For: The Natural Perspective & Low-Light Prime
Why It’s Great for Travel & Documentary: A 50mm lens provides a field of view that feels incredibly natural and true to life. This makes it a superb choice for authentic documentary work and for capturing candid portraits of people you meet on your travels. The f/1.4 aperture not only excels in low light but also produces gorgeous background separation, allowing you to isolate your subject and draw the viewer’s eye exactly where you want it.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 50mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
- Filter Size: ø72mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: The 50mm F1.4 Art is the result of a quest for optical perfection at this classic, essential focal length. It delivers a level of sharpness and clarity that allows for images with an almost three-dimensional quality. For photographers who want to capture the world as they see it, with no distortion and beautiful, natural rendering, this lens is an unparalleled creative tool.

Portrait Photography: Capturing the Human Element

Portrait photography is about capturing the character, personality, and mood of a person. The best portrait lenses help a photographer achieve this by creating a flattering perspective and separating the subject from their background. This is typically accomplished with short-telephoto focal lengths (from 50mm to 135mm) that don’t distort features, and very wide maximum apertures (like f/1.8 or f/1.4) that produce a beautifully blurred background, often called ‘bokeh,’ making the subject the clear focus of the image.

1. SIGMA 85mm F1.4 DG DN | Art

Best For: The Quintessential Portrait Lens
Why It’s Great for Portraits: The 85mm f/1.4 is the gold standard for portraiture, and this lens is a masterclass in its execution. The 85mm focal length provides a natural, flattering compression with no distortion, while the ultra-fast f/1.4 aperture melts away backgrounds into a beautiful, creamy blur. As an Art lens designed specifically for mirrorless, it delivers breathtaking sharpness on the subject, creating a stunning, three-dimensional look.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 85mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
- Filter Size: ø77mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: The 85mm f/1.4 Art is more than a lens; it’s a portrait artist’s brush. This lens is the definitive tool for portraiture, delivering a breathtaking combination of tack-sharp focus on the subject and beautiful, creamy bokeh in the background. Its ability to create images with an almost three-dimensional feel makes it a masterpiece for any photographer who wants to create truly striking and memorable portraits.

2. SIGMA 135mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art

Best For: The Master of Compression & Bokeh
Why It’s Great for Portraits: For photographers seeking the ultimate in subject isolation and background blur, the 135mm Art is legendary. Its longer focal length creates a powerful compression effect that is incredibly flattering for subjects and makes the background simply vanish into a painterly wash of color. The result is an almost magical, ethereal quality that makes it a favorite for high-end fashion, beauty, and fine art portraiture.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 135mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
- Filter Size: ø82mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount, Canon EF, Nikon F, SIGMA
SIGMA Perspective: The 135mm f/1.8 Art creates images that are simply unattainable with other focal lengths. The intensity of the background separation and the unique, flattering compression give portraits a truly distinct and professional character. It renders scenes with a dreamlike quality, turning distracting backgrounds into beautiful, abstract elements that perfectly frame the subject.

3. SIGMA 56mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary

Best For: The Must-Have for APS-C Shooters & Best Value
Why It’s Great for Portraits: This is one of the most beloved lenses for crop-sensor (APS-C) cameras, and for good reason. Its 56mm focal length provides an 84mm equivalent field of view, hitting the sweet spot for portraits. The bright f/1.4 aperture creates the blurred background that new photographers dream of, and its sharpness is truly exceptional, rivaling lenses that cost many times more. It’s compact, lightweight, and delivers incredible value.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 56mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
- Filter Size: ø55mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount, FUJIFILM X Mount, Canon EF-M, Micro Four Thirds
SIGMA Perspective: The 56mm f/1.4 Contemporary is designed to bring the power of a professional portrait prime to everyone. It unlocks the ability to create stunning, subject-isolating portraits with creamy bokeh that were once only possible with much larger and more expensive gear. Its combination of a perfect portrait focal length, a fast f/1.4 aperture, and incredible sharpness in a compact body makes it an essential tool for any aspiring photographer.

A young girl with long blonde hair, wearing a blue scarf and sweater, stands among autumn trees with yellow and orange leaves. She holds a few leaves and looks at the camera. — 56mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary (Meg Loeks)

4. SIGMA 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS | Sports

Best For: The Versatile Professional’s Zoom
Why It’s Great for Portraits: This is the essential workhorse zoom for countless professional photographers. Its versatile range allows for everything from full-body environmental shots to tight headshots without needing to change lenses, which is invaluable during fast-paced weddings or events. The constant f/2.8 aperture provides beautiful background blur, especially at 200mm, and the Optical Stabilization ensures shots are sharp even in less-than-ideal conditions.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 70-200mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
- Filter Size: ø77mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: The 70-200mm f/2.8 Sports offers ultimate flexibility without sacrificing quality. It’s a tool of reliability, built to handle the pressures of any professional assignment. For photographers who need to react quickly and capture a variety of compositions, from candid moments to formal portraits, this lens delivers consistent, sharp, and beautiful results every time.

Sports & Action Photography: Freezing the Decisive Moment

Sports and action photography is about capturing peak moments of speed, power, and emotion. This demanding field requires lenses that can keep up with fast-moving, unpredictable subjects. The most critical features are a long telephoto reach to get close to the action from the sidelines, a lightning-fast and accurate autofocus system to track subjects, and a wide maximum aperture (like f/2.8 or f/4) that allows for the high shutter speeds needed to freeze motion. Robust, weather-sealed construction and effective Optical Stabilization (OS) are also vital for professional results in any condition.

1. SIGMA 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS | Sports

Best For: The Professional’s Essential Workhorse
Why It’s Great for Sports & Action: This lens is the cornerstone of a professional sports photographer’s kit. Its versatile 70-200mm range is perfect for a huge variety of sports, from basketball and volleyball to swimming and trackside events. The constant f/2.8 aperture is a non-negotiable feature for shooting in poorly lit indoor arenas or under stadium lights, allowing for fast shutter speeds that freeze the action with crisp detail. The dual HLA motors provide incredibly fast and silent autofocus, ensuring you never miss the critical play.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 70-200mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
- Filter Size: ø77mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: The 70-200mm f/2.8 Sports is a tool of pure performance, built to meet the demands of professionals who work under pressure. Its speed, both in its bright aperture and its rapid autofocus, provides a critical advantage when fractions of a second matter. It’s a lens that delivers consistent, sharp, and vibrant results, making it the reliable workhorse for capturing iconic moments in sports.

People are strapped into seats on an amusement park ride spinning high in the air at dusk, with colorful lights illuminating the ride against a clear evening sky. — 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS | Sports (Jim Koepnick)

2. SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports

Best For: The Enthusiast’s Choice & Best Value
Why It’s Great for Sports & Action: This lens is the gateway to high-performance sports photography for a huge number of enthusiasts. It offers the massive 600mm reach needed to get tight shots from the stands or sidelines, all at an incredible value. The autofocus is quick and capable of tracking moving subjects, making it perfect for daytime field sports, motorsports, and airshows. It’s the definitive choice for the aspiring photographer looking to get serious about capturing the action.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 150-600mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/5-6.3
- Filter Size: ø95mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: The 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Sports lens has become a modern classic because it makes the thrilling world of super-telephoto photography accessible. It hits the perfect sweet spot of extensive zoom range, sharp optics, and rugged build quality. It’s a dependable workhorse that empowers photographers to capture incredible images of distant action, making it the ideal tool for growing your skills as a sports photographer.

3. SIGMA 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports

Best For: Unmatched All-in-One Versatility
Why It’s Great for Sports & Action: For the sports photojournalist or the parent who wants to capture every part of the game, this lens’s versatility is unmatched. The incredible 10x zoom range means you can take a wide shot of the team huddling at 60mm and, in the next moment, punch in to 600mm to capture a tight shot of the game-winning goal. This all-in-one capability eliminates the need to change lenses, ensuring you’re always ready for whatever happens next.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 60-600mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/4.5-6.3
- Filter Size: ø105mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: Sports are unpredictable, and this lens is the answer to that unpredictability. Its unprecedented zoom range eliminates the risk of missing a shot because you had the wrong focal length. The 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 Sports is a technical marvel that offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing photographers to react instantly and capture the entire story of the game, from the wide view to the tightest action, with confidence and clarity.

Macro Photography: Revealing the Unseen World

Macro photography is the art of capturing extreme close-up images, revealing intricate details in subjects that are often invisible to the naked eye. A true macro lens is defined by its ability to achieve a 1:1 magnification ratio, which means it can project an image of a subject onto the camera’s sensor at its actual life size. Beyond magnification, the best macro lenses deliver outstanding sharpness to resolve the finest textures, and their focal length determines the “working distance”—the space between the lens and the subject—which is a critical factor when photographing live insects or small, easily disturbed subjects.

1. SIGMA 105mm F2.8 DG DN Macro | Art

Best For: The Professional’s Choice
Why It’s Great for Macro: This is the quintessential modern macro lens. Its 105mm focal length provides an excellent working distance, allowing you to capture stunning 1:1 life-size images of insects and other small wildlife without getting so close that you scare them away. As an Art line lens, it delivers breathtaking sharpness and beautiful color rendition, revealing every intricate detail. It also excels as a tack-sharp short-telephoto lens, making it a superb choice for portrait photography.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 105mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
- Filter Size: ø62mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: The 105mm f/2.8 Art is designed to be a gateway to a hidden world, blending artistic rendering with clinical precision. Its optical performance is at the highest level, capable of capturing details with stunning clarity. The 105mm focal length provides the ideal balance of working distance and perspective, making it a powerful tool for true 1:1 macro, while its beautiful bokeh and sharpness also make it an exceptional portrait lens.

Close-up of vibrant hydrangea petals displaying rich shades of purple, pink, and blue with visible veining and texture, creating a colorful and detailed floral pattern. — 105mm F2.8 DG DN Macro (Heather Larkin)

2. SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG Macro | Art

Best For: Legendary Sharpness & Compact Versatility
Why It’s Great for Macro: This lens is famous for one thing above all else: its incredible, razor-sharp optics. It’s a fantastic choice for photographers who demand the absolute highest level of detail in their macro work, from product photography to capturing the texture of flowers and fabrics. Its 70mm focal length results in a more compact and lightweight lens than its 105mm counterpart, making it an excellent multi-purpose option that can easily serve as a standard portrait or walk-around short-telephoto lens.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 70mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
- Filter Size: ø49mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount, Canon EF
SIGMA Perspective: The 70mm f/2.8 Art is an instrument of pure optical precision. It was the first prime macro lens in the Art line for mirrorless, and it set a benchmark for sharpness that is still revered today. It’s designed for the photographer who wants to resolve the finest possible details and capture images with uncompromising clarity. Its compact nature also makes it a surprisingly versatile lens for everyday shooting.

Videography: Lenses for the Modern Filmmaker

Lenses designed for videography must meet a unique set of demands. Smooth, silent, and accurate autofocus is critical for tracking subjects without distracting noise or jerky movements. Minimal focus breathing—a distracting shift in the field of view when focus is adjusted—is a hallmark of a high-quality video lens. For zooms, a constant maximum aperture is essential for maintaining consistent exposure while changing focal lengths. And for primes, a fast aperture like f/1.4 is invaluable for creating cinematic shallow depth of field and for performing in low-light scenarios.

1. SIGMA 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN | Art

Best For: The Professional’s Video Workhorse
Why It’s Great for Video: This lens is the cornerstone of many professional video kits. Its versatile 24-70mm focal range is perfect for a huge variety of work, from interviews and events to cinematic B-roll and documentary storytelling. The bright f/2.8 constant aperture provides excellent low-light capability and depth of field control, while the optical design is optimized to suppress focus breathing, ensuring a professional, stable image when pulling focus.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 24-70mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
- Filter Size: ø82mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: The 24-70mm f/2.8 Art is the trusted, reliable tool for videographers who need to be ready for anything. It delivers exceptional sharpness and a clean, professional look across its entire zoom range. It’s a lens that can handle nearly any assignment, providing the optical performance and reliability needed to capture stunning footage under pressure.

2. SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art

Best For: The Ultimate Cinematic Zoom
Why It’s Great for Video: This lens is a revolutionary tool for filmmakers. It is the world’s first full-frame zoom lens to offer a constant f/1.8 aperture, providing the incredible low-light performance and shallow depth of field previously only available with a bag full of prime lenses. Its zoom mechanism is internal, meaning the lens doesn’t change length, which is critical for maintaining balance on gimbals. Combined with a de-clickable aperture ring and minimal focus breathing, this is a true cinema-grade optic for creators who demand the best.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 28-45mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
- Filter Size: ø82mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: The 28-45mm f/1.8 Art is a groundbreaking achievement, effectively offering the performance of multiple fast prime lenses within a single zoom. The constant f/1.8 aperture provides filmmakers with unprecedented creative control over depth of field and low-light performance. With its internal zoom and exceptional Art line optics, it’s a tool designed for high-end cinematic production, delivering both the convenience of a zoom and the uncompromising image quality of a prime.

A guitarist in dark clothing plays passionately on stage, leaning forward with dramatic lighting and blue rays shining behind them, while an enthusiastic crowd enjoys the live music performance. — 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art (Anabel DFlux)

3. SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary

Best For: The Ultimate APS-C & Gimbal Lens
Why It’s Great for Video: This lens is a game-changer for videographers using APS-C cameras. It is incredibly compact and lightweight, making it a perfect match for gimbals and run-and-gun rigs where balance and portability are paramount. Despite its small size, it offers a constant f/2.8 aperture and a highly versatile zoom range (27-75mm full-frame equivalent), making it ideal for everything from vlogging and travel videos to event coverage.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 18-50mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
- Filter Size: ø55mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount, FUJIFILM X Mount
SIGMA Perspective: The 18-50mm f/2.8 Contemporary unleashes the true potential of compact mirrorless cameras for video. It proves that you don’t need large, heavy equipment to achieve professional results. Its combination of a bright f/2.8 aperture, a versatile zoom range, and a featherlight body makes it the go-to choice for creators who value freedom of movement without sacrificing image quality.

4. SIGMA 24mm F1.4 DG DN | Art

Best For: Cinematic Low-Light & Wide-Angle Prime
Why It’s Great for Video: This lens is packed with features that serious videographers will love. It includes a de-clickable aperture ring, allowing for smooth, silent exposure changes mid-shot, and a Manual Focus Lock switch to prevent accidental focus shifts. The ultra-fast f/1.4 aperture excels in low light and creates a beautiful, shallow depth of field for a truly cinematic look, making it a powerful tool for creative storytelling.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 24mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
- Filter Size: ø72mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: The 24mm f/1.4 Art is about giving filmmakers complete creative control. The f/1.4 aperture isn’t just for gathering light; it’s an artistic tool for crafting images with beautiful bokeh and subject separation. Features like the de-clickable aperture give it the feel of a true cinema lens, providing the tactile control needed to create expressive, professional-grade footage.

5. SIGMA 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN | Contemporary

Best For: The Lightweight Full-Frame Zoom
Why It’s Great for Video: For full-frame shooters who need a lightweight and mobile setup, this lens is the answer. It delivers the highly desirable constant f/2.8 aperture and versatile zoom range in a body that is significantly smaller and lighter than its Art-line counterpart. This makes it an outstanding choice for gimbal work, travel documentaries, and any situation where minimizing weight and bulk is a top priority.
Key Specifications:
- Focal Length: 28-70mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
- Filter Size: ø67mm
- Mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
SIGMA Perspective: The 28-70mm f/2.8 Contemporary lens proves that a high-performance, bright-aperture zoom doesn’t have to be cumbersome. It’s a tool designed for freedom, providing outstanding image quality in a package that’s a joy to carry all day. It’s the perfect companion for capturing spontaneous moments, making it an ideal choice for run-and-gun filmmaking and everyday creative video.

Finding Your Perfect Lens

While the lenses highlighted in this guide represent some of the best tools for their respective genres, they are merely a starting point. SIGMA’s extensive lineup offers a vast range of optics designed to meet the needs of every photographer, from the aspiring enthusiast with their first camera to the seasoned professional working on a critical assignment. Each lens, regardless of its category or price point, is born from the same unwavering commitment to optical excellence and meticulous Japanese craftsmanship. The perfect lens to elevate your photography and help you capture your unique vision is out there, waiting to be discovered.

Full disclosure: This article was brought to you by SIGMA.