Sigma 17mm f/4 DG DN Contemporary
Announced April 1, 2023
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Sigma 17mm f/4 DG DN Contemporary is a compact, well-built ultra-wide lens that delivers sharp, high-contrast images at an accessible price point. While its modest f/4 aperture limits low-light performance and astrophotography utility, it remains a highly portable and versatile option for photographers prioritizing size and build quality.
Weighted from 20 reviewer scores
Pros
- Sharp image quality with good contrast
- Excellent all-metal build quality
- Fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus
- Compact, lightweight, and portable design
- Impressive close-focusing capabilities
Cons
- High levels of barrel distortion and vignetting in raw files
- Slow f/4 maximum aperture limits low-light and astrophotography use
- Chromatic aberration issues
- Aperture ring lacks a locking mechanism
- Limited weather sealing restricted to the mount
- Launch price $599 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 17mm f/4
- Mount & coverage Sony E, L-Mount Full-Frame
- Close focus 12 cm (0.28x)
- Filter thread 55mm
- Weight & size 225g · 64 x 48.8 mm (2.52 x 1.92 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 20 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- PetaPixel 8.5/10
The Sigma 17mm is a worthy option for anyone needing a compact ultra-wide lens.
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[T]he Sigma 17mm f4 DG DN is a useful, capable and fun lens that provides a taste of the exotic without breaking the bank or your back.
- OpticalLimits 7/10
The Sigma 17mm f/4 DG DN Contemporary is probably not a crowd-pleaser. That's not because of its performance but because of its slow maximum aperture.
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If small and lightweight are high on your priority list for a super wide angle like this, then the Sigma 17mm F4 DG DN will probably fit the bill perfectly.
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If you are looking for a small, light, well-built, affordable lens that produces sharp images and the 17mm focal length's angle of view works for you, the Sigma 17mm F4 DG DN Contemporary Lens has your name on it.
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The iSeries always delights me with the tactile feedback of the designs.
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The Sigma 17mm f/4 DG DN Contemporary is probably the neatest little ultra wide-angle lens I have ever tested. In pretty much every way, it is perfect for photography on the go who don't want some big expensive ultra wide-angle zoom lens, but who do want very high quality.
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As is easily visible from the table above this Sigma 17mm 4.0 DG DN Contemporary is generally a well rounded lens without any outstanding flaws. Its problem is, that – compared to the recent competitors – it doesn’t really knock it out of the park for me.
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There is much to like about this compact ultra-wide lens and the icing on the cake is the high quality of the results. It handles beautifully and performs beautifully, all at a reasonable price.
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Thanks to a modest f/4 aperture rating and clever design-work, this 17mm full-frame compatible lens is outrageously small and lightweight for its type, but impeccably engineered and a high-flyer in terms of image quality. And it comes with a very attractive price tag.
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The Sigma 17mm F4 DG DN Contemporary lens puts crisp, extra-wide optics into a metal barrel with old-school style at a reasonable price.
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If you're looking for a really dependable nice wide angle lens that's clean, sharp, and has a really cool effect, check out the 17mm f/4 DG DN Contemporary from Sigma.
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If you are looking for a small, fun-to-use lens for your S9 or basically any other mirrorless camera, I think that you will be happy with a Sigma 17mm f/4 DG DN.
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The new Sigma 17mm is one of the coolest tiny lenses that we have tested here on LensVid. It’s well-built and easy to use.
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[I]f you are looking at something more unique or if you're just trying to fill out your I series lens lineup, I would definitely check out the Sigma 17mm f/4 DG DN Contemporary.
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[T]he image quality from what I've seen is pretty darn similar in terms of performance, I think that the trade-offs for a lot of people who shoot around F2 more often than not is probably going to be worth it.
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[I]t is a lens that in my opinion is very versatile and can deliver truly outstanding results and one that is totally a joy to shoot with.
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[I]f you're going for small size, this is definitely a lens that will fit the bill, but I cannot help but continue to compare it to the 20 millimeter F2 that I know and love so much [...] which in my eyes is kind of a no-brainer.
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It has a rubber gasket for weather sealing, they say it is dust and moisture resistant, and it has a 55 millimeter filter thread, and the performance is outstanding on this guy. The autofocus is instant and it is silent, it is perfect.
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So all in all, I enjoy shooting with these. They're lightweight, easy to use on the camera, great for just carrying around with you, and it's producing nice, clean images as well.
