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Sigma Lenses for Canon RF Mount Launch 2024

Breaking News: Sigma Lenses for Canon RF Mount Launch 2024

Following the announcement of Sigma lenses for Canon RF in April 2024, Sigma has now released four new native APS-C interchangeable prime lenses for Canon mirrorless cameras in November 2024.

This launch is a significant development for the Canon RF camera system, giving photographers access to Sigma’s high-performance Contemporary lenses, known for their exceptional optical quality, portability and value.

Sigma’s initial roadmap outlined six models optimised specifically for Canon’s crop-format EOS R cameras. The first, the 18-50mm F/2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens for RF, was released in July 2024, which was followed by the 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens For Canon RF.

Now, the remaining four prime lenses are released simultaneously on 19 November 2024, marking a significant milestone for Canon creators. In this photography news post, we take a closer look at these four Sigma lenses and what they bring to the system, starting with a quick background of the Contemporary series.

Sample by Meg Loeks with Canon EOS R7 and Sigma 56mm f/1.4 Contemporary lens. Camera settings: 1/250 sec. f/1.4. ISO 100

What are Sigma Contemporary Lenses?

Sigma’s Contemporary line of lenses is designed to balance high optical performance with portability, and price offering photographers and hybrid creators quality options that are compact, and lightweight. As part of Sigma’s Global Vision series, which also includes the Art and Sports lines, the Contemporary range focuses on versatility and affordability, while maintaining the reliability, which Sigma is known for.

First introduced in 2013, the Contemporary line has evolved to meet the needs of today’s creators. They are engineered for a wide variety of applications, from landscapes and portraits to street photography and video, with a focus on affordability and portability as outlined above. The range is particularly well-suited to mirrorless cameras, leveraging the shorter flange distances, which mirrorless systems offer, compared to their DSLR counterparts.

Key features of Sigma Contemporary lenses include advanced optical designs with specialised elements like SLD and aspherical glass, which minimise aberrations and deliver sharp, well-controlled results, with natural colour and great contrast.

Many also feature a wide aperture for low-light performance and creative depth-of-field control, which is particularly notable on these four f/1.4 lenses launched in November for the Canon RF mount.

With lightweight materials like Thermally Stable Composite (TSC), these lenses provide easy portability without compromising on durability or image quality. Sigma expects many years of service from each lens, which the 3 year extended warranty stands behind.

As Sigma continues to expand its lineup, the Contemporary series has become an increasingly good choice for creators who want high-end performance without the weight, or price, of Art series lenses.

Next let’s compare the four new models available for Canon RF mount.

Which four new Sigma lenses launched for Canon RF Mount?

The four new Sigma lenses for Canon RF Mount all share a bright f/1.4 aperture, offering excellent low-light performance and creative depth-of-field control. Designed for APS-C cameras, each features a lightweight, compact build, solid autofocus performance, and fantastic optical quality, making them versatile tools for photography and video content.

Next we look at each of these four models individually in a little more detail.

Sample by Jack Fusco with Canon EOS R7 and Sigma 16mm f/1.4 Contemporary lens. Camera settings: 3.2 seconds. f/1.4. ISO 400

Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Canon RF Mount

The Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens is a wide-angle prime with an equivalent focal length of 24mm. This makes it an excellent choice for photographers and videographers who shoot genres like landscapes, architecture, street photography, and environmental portraits.

Its wide 79.9º field of view is perfect for capturing more of a scene, and like the other models the 16mm features excellent resolving power for high levels of detail.

One of the most notable features is its bright f/1.4 aperture, which enables stunning subject separation, smooth bokeh, and exceptional low-light performance, which is ideal for a lens suitable for video and vlogging as this is. Weighing 415g, this model is also highly portable, reinforcing its suitability for handheld shooting, video and vlogging.

Thanks to a stepping motor and optimised autofocus algorithms, the 16mm f/1.4 delivers fast, near-silent autofocus, and like the other models it defeaters a weather-sealed brass mount and Sigma coatings that minimise flare and ghosting.

For those who shoot astrophotography, the lens’s ability to minimise sagittal coma flare combined with the wide aperture makes it a great choice for capturing sharp, clear stars across the entire frame.

Sample by Jim Koepnick with Canon EOS R7 and Sigma 23mm f/1.4 Contemporary lens. Camera settings: 1/2000 sec. f/1.4. ISO 100

Sigma 23mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Canon RF Mount

The Sigma 23mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens offers a slightly wide view with a classic 35mm equivalent focal length, which is ideal for everyday photography and videography. Its versatile field of view is perfectly suited to street photography, travel, weddings, and environmental portraits, while the lightweight design ensures portability for all-day shooting.

Weighing 345g, the 23mm f/1.4 continues in the Contemporary line compact build with exceptional optical performance. The bright f/1.4 aperture allows for shallow depth-of-field effects, smooth bokeh, and exceptional low-light performance, making it a favourite for handheld shooting in dimly lit conditions.

Its near-silent stepping motor delivers smooth, precise autofocus, which is optimised for Canon RF systems, so this is also an excellent option for video, and hybrid shooting.

The 23mm f/1.4 is an outstanding choice for photographers and videographers who want a portable yet high-performance and wildly popular 35mm equivalent lens option.

Sample by Martina Abreu with Canon EOS R7 and Sigma 30mm f/1.4 Contemporary lens. Camera settings: 1/1600 sec. f/1.4. ISO 160

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Canon RF Mount

The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens offers a 45mm equivalent focal length, providing a natural field of view, which is very close to human vision. This makes it an ideal choice for natural subjects, which might include portraits, travel, weddings, and street photography.

Its versatile focal length and bright f/1.4 aperture, ensure creative depth-of-field control, smooth bokeh, and excellent performance in low-light conditions, which are all ideal attributes for an everyday lens that you can leave on your camera all day long.

Weighing in at a mere 265g, the 30mm f/1.4 is one of the most portable f/1.4 lenses available for Canon RF APS-C cameras. The compact design doesn’t compromise on performance, and this Sigma lens delivers sharp, detailed results with minimal aberrations, even at wide apertures.

The lens also includes a stepping motor for fast, quiet autofocus, making it a great choice for video work as well as stills. It also supports in-camera corrections, with minimal distortion and consistent image quality across the frame.

With its combination of portability, exceptional optics, and a versatile focal length, the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 is a must-have for Canon photographers and videographers who want a versatile everyday prime option for a range of creative applications.

Sample by Meg Loeks with Canon EOS R7 and Sigma 56mm f/1.4 Contemporary lens. Camera settings: 1/500 sec. f/1.4. ISO 100

Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Canon RF Mount

The Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens offers a short telephoto perspective with an 85mm equivalent focal length, which is a timeless choice for portraiture, weddings, events, and even street photography. Its f/1.4 aperture produces stunning subject separation, smooth bokeh, and impressive low-light performance, which are all ideal for creating professional-quality results.

Despite its bright aperture, the 56mm f/1.4 is extremely lightweight at just 280g, ensuring excellent portability and ease of use for handheld shooting. This makes it a very practical option for photographers and videographers, particularly hybrid shooters who value the fast autofocus for both mediums.

The lens’s optical design incorporates special glass elements, minimising chromatic aberrations and delivering sharp, clear images across the frame. Once again this lens includes a weather-sealed brass mount for durability, along with in-camera correction compatibility to enhance image quality.

Sample by Jim Koepnick with Canon EOS R7 and Sigma 23mm f/1.4 Contemporary lens. Camera settings: 1/800 sec. f/1.4. ISO 100

For video creators, the quiet stepping motor and smooth aperture transitions make it a fantastic option for capturing cinematic footage at a short telephoto length. Whether you shoot in challenging light or capture beautifully lit studio shots, the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 is a versatile, high-performance lens that’s guaranteed to inspire you.

Although it has been a while coming, this announcement must feel like Christmas has come early for photographers with crop format Canon cameras, like the Canon EOS R7, EOS R100, R50, or R10.

Sigma’s release brings more exceptional performance to Canon APS-C mirrorless users, who now have four new native prime lenses to choose from, covering essential focal lengths from ultra-wide to short telephoto for a range of creative applications. Whether you're into landscapes, portraits, or video, there’s a lens, which is perfect for your style.

Explore the lineup of Contemporary Canon mirrorless lenses from Sigma today, and take your creativity to the next level!

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By Nick Dautlich on 19/11/2024