Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
Announced September 17, 2012
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
Exceptional
The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art delivers exceptional optical performance and high resolution, even when shooting wide open. While it offers significant value compared to professional alternatives, its physical construction and lack of weather sealing reflect a more consumer-oriented build quality.
Weighted from 38 reviewer scores
Pros
- High optical performance and resolution
- Competitive price and value
- Versatile for low-light and classic focal length usage
- Well-controlled aberrations and low distortion
- Functional build and included accessories
Cons
- Lacks weather sealing
- Inconsistent or slower autofocus
- Heavy vignetting
- Inferior mechanical build compared to professional rivals
- Poor flare resistance and limited warranty
- Launch price $899 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 35mm f/1.4
- Mount & coverage Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sigma SA, Sony A Full-Frame
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 30 cm (0.19x)
- Filter thread 67mm
- Autofocus motor Ring-type ultrasonic
- Weight & size 665g (1 lb 7.5 oz) · 77 x 94 mm (3.03 x 3.70 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 38 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- PetaPixel 8.5/10
Given that it certainly has the feel of a professional lens and the optical quality to go along with it, I think the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 definitely has a place in my bag.
- DPReview 89/100
The Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM is a truly excellent lens, that performs as well in the field as its superb lab test results suggest.
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This clearly earns the new Sigma lens our Highly Recommended rating.
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Sigma's new vision not only leads to new categories, but also a new product design.
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With such impressive performance characteristics, this lens is a no-brainer for low-light photography. I have no doubt that street photographers and anyone shooting in low-light conditions will absolutely love this lens.
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I think that the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens is my new favorite Sigma lens. Perhaps the "A" plate on the barrel represents this lens's report card grade average, showing that it has brains to go along with the great looks.
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The merits of this lens are not going to be determined by my conclusions. Over the past three years this lens has received both critical and commercial success, and is, in my opinion, perhaps the most important lens that Sigma has ever made.
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If you want a really special lens with a focal length and maximum aperture that you'll want to use all the time and picture quality to make you smile, then just get the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art right now. Very highly recommended.
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The Sigma has the best results of all 1.4/35 lenses, tested by us so far in the categories of resolution, distortion, chromatic aberration and coma correction.
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After a year of shooting with the Sigma, I still feel the same way that I did after my first review. If you own the Nikon or Canon version already…sell it.
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In the end I find the Sigma more enjoyable to use (due to AF/MF switch and focus ring with mechanical coupling) and optically slightly better (less hard to correct loCA) and because of the lower price and less sample variation easier to recommend.
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The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 lens offers excellent sharpness at a good price. Sigma appear to have everything right with this new lens.
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This is a relatively small concern for most photographers, though, so we can whole-heartedly recommend the new Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM as a fast, well-built prime lens that delivers superb results.
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Big on design, big on performance, small on price – the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM | A arguably represents the best of all worlds.
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The Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM Art captures crisp images, opens up to f/1.4, and undercuts competing lenses on price.
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They really addressed all of them and made an almost perfect lens. I can see why there's so many rave reviews and so many other YouTubers are saying it's fantastic.
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The build quality, unbelievable. The fit and finish of this lens is top-notch, everything from lens caps to hoods to just how the lens moves works perfectly and is almost unbeatable for this, so highly recommend this lens.
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Whether it’s equally useful for cameras with APS-C sensors depends on how much you need lens speed.
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I’m going to cut to the chase: I love this lens. I like the way the lens renders; the sharpness is very good right from f/1.4; the autofocus works very well and best of all, it’s extremely affordable.
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The Sigma 35 1.4 ART series lens on the Canon 6D. Under $1000 and IMO beats the Canon 35L in just about every area.
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[T]he Sigma stands very well on its own. The fact that it is so much less expensive than the Nikon is an added bonus and is a nice reminder that less expensive doesn’t necessarily mean compromising on image quality.
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If you really want to tell a story, work with available light and have professional level optics, then this is the best bang for your buck at the focal length.
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The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 is an optically excellent lens in a merely consumer-grade package. Since all the other 35mm f/1.4 lenses are fully professional lenses, of course this Sigma costs less.
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The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 is the finest lens I’ve ever used from the company. It has impressed me more than many of Canon’s own primes.
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Basically, splurge for the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 and enjoy comparable, superior optics to the Canon and Nikon equivalents, but what you save in money might cost you later when testing the long-term durability of this lens.
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F/1.4, what a fantastic lens, highly recommended for both full frame and crop centered bodies.
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With numerous test images I shot with this lens, and in using it on a photo-session with a model, this lens was stellar.
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Sigma keeps making lenses that I just love to shoot with, and the 35mm f1.4 DG HSM Art lens is clearly no exception.
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Sigma has done it again. They created an incredibly affordable and high performance tool for professionals.
- Photo Feaver 42/50
With an overall score of 42 out of 50, this is highly recommended and definitely worth a spot in your camera bag.
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At $900 it’s an inexpensive full frame alternative to the first party 35mm lenses made by Canon and Nikon, and it certainly doesn’t have any of the typical characteristics of a budget lens. I highly recommend the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 lens as a go-to, fast prime lens.
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I think it's certainly, yeah, I think it's fair to say it's the best 35mm I've ever shot with on my DSLR.
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It is probably one of my most used lenses in Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art. [...] I cannot recommend it highly enough.
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Would I recommend this lens to people? Absolutely yes I would. It's six hundred US dollars which is a reasonable price, it's excellent quality, it provides amazing sharpness and if you calibrate it it has very good autofocus as well.
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So obviously I like this lens and in my opinion it's one of the best all-around lenses you can get on a full-frame camera, but it might suck for you.
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It is a clear winner here. A very sharp lens even at f/1.4, very nice bokeh, excellent build quality, ultrasonic autofocus and a reduced price compare to the competition. A very nice lens overall, with the very useful focal length on Full frame.
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My recommendation, buy it, you can't go wrong. Great lens, congratulations Sigma.
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The Sigma outperforms its Canon and Nikon counterparts at a significant discount. If you’re in the market for a 35mm f/1.4 lens, this is the lens for you.
