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Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art Review

Sigma is recognised as one of the world’s leading lens manufacturers, consistently earning TIPA, EISA, and other industry awards for its lens releases. With the introduction of the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art lens for Sony E and 50mm f/1.2 for Leica L mount in 2024, this trend is poised to continue, reiterating a reputation for excellence.

Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN ART Lens Hands-On Video Review

As Sigma’s first ever 13-blade aperture design, this model promises exquisite results for stills and video creators, and arrives as only the second Sigma lens for mirrorless cameras, with an f/1.2 aperture.

Our Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art review is crammed with sample images, we’ve got a hands-on video review, and a comparison with Sigma’s own 50mm f/1.4 Art lens, so that you can discover which is the best nifty fifty for your content creation.

How much is the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art lens?

Both the Leica L and Sony E Mount 50mm Art lenses cost £1,299.00. While pricier than the 50mm f/1.4 Art version, which costs £869.00, the 50mm f/1.2 offers a more budget-friendly alternative than the Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM Lens, which retails at £2,099.00.

Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN | Art Sample images

For this 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art review, sample images were contributed by our own YouTuber Gareth Evans, Xiao-Ting-Wu, Alexandre Souetre, and others provided by Sigma. Cameras used include the Sony A7R III, A7R IV and Sigma fp-L, highlighting the versatility of the lens and L Mount alliance.

Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN | Art key features

The Sony mirrorless lens lineup caters for every possibly creative need, as does the increasingly comprehensive L-mount lens range. The 50mm Art lens fulfils a gap for an affordable, professional f/1.2 aperture standard prime lens, within these two lineups.

To meet these demands, the lens features:

• Sigma’s first 13 diaphragm blade design
• 745g weight
• Optical design, which effectively reduces aberrations
• Dual HLA focus motors for high-speed and quiet AF
• Well suppressed focus breathing
• De-clickable aperture, customisable AFL button and more controls
• Effectively controlled flare and ghosting
• Dust and splash resistant

What is the advantage of a large aperture?

A large, wide or fast aperture enables photographers to achieve a shallow depth of field, resulting in beautifully blurred backgrounds that make the subject stand out. Additionally, it allows for better performance in low light conditions, enabling sharper images without the need for high ISO settings.

Notably, the 50mm F1.2 DG DN | Art is Sigma’s first lens with 13 diaphragm blades. This allows photographers to create portraits, still life and similar shots with impressive background separation as well as pleasingly round bokeh balls.

Sample © Alexandre Souetre captured with Sigma fp-L. Camera settings: Exposure 1/4000 sec. f/1.2. ISO 800

What is Sigma Art series?

Sigma Art lenses feature wide apertures, enabling stunning bokeh with a shallow depth of field, and are renowned for precise autofocus plus excellent sharpness, even when shooting wide open. The Art Series is designed for creativity, rather than compactness, and ideal for expressive photography, which develops the artistic.

Sample captured with Sony A7R IV. Camera settings: Exposure 1/50 sec. f/1.2. ISO 250

What is a 50mm lens good for?

With a focal width similar to human vision, the 50mm lens is a staple ‘standard’ lens for many creators, who benefit from sharp images with blurred backgrounds. When mounted on a crop sensor camera, the 50mm becomes a short telephoto of around 75mm, which is ideal for portraits.

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You can use a 50mm for virtually anything, including:

• Portraits
• Landscapes
• Street photography
• Travel
• Night photography
• Close-ups
• Concerts and events

The list goes on to cover many everyday subjects, which is why this focal length is so popular. If you’re looking for a single option, which will deliver impressive results for the most versatile range of subjects, the 50mm is quite possibly the best solution.

Sample ©Xiao-Ting-Wu captured with Sony A7R III. Camera settings: Exposure 1/20 sec. f/1.2. ISO 640

Autofocus performance

Thanks to dual HLA motors this is amongst the quickest focusing Art series lenses, matching Sports models such as the 70-200mm f/2. 8 DG DN OS Sports. The newly devised focus system provides fast, quiet and accurate focus, while keeping the lens’ proportions more manageable.

Sample ©Xiao-Ting-Wu captured with Sony A7R III. Camera settings: Exposure 1/60 sec. f/1.2. ISO 160

Is the lens user friendly?

Sigma’s optical design contributes to a significantly lighter weight than the 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art, which is 1080g. At 81mm x 108.8mm and 745g the 50mm is well balanced on full-frame cameras like the Leica SL3, Lumix S5 II or Sony bodies, such as the A7R V or A9 III.

Those who have photographed with a mirrorless Sigma lens previously will find using the 50mm f/1.2 Art a familiar experience. It features a customisable AFL button, an aperture control ring, which can be de-clicked and locked to prevent accidental knocks.

The Leica version offers support for switching between linear and non-linear focus ring setting, as well as the ability to update the lens via the Sigma USB Dock for L-Mount. Meanwhile the Sony version is compatible with AF assist, while both support DMF and AF+MF, contributing to a streamlined shooting experience.

Sample ©Xiao-Ting-Wu captured with Sony A7R III. Camera settings: Exposure 1/50 sec. f/1.2. ISO 320

How is the image quality?

Art series lenses are well known for delivering exceptional image quality, and the four aspherical elements found in this optical formula help achieve familiar levels of sharpness and control of aberrations. The lens creates a smooth, natural bokeh with gentle blur and no colour bleeding from the focal plane.

A Super Multi-Layer Coating maintains image quality when shooting into light sources, and the 50mm f/1.2 delivers impressive sharpness, detail, and contrast, ensuring photographers achieve exceptional image quality with the 50mm F1.2 DG DN | Art lens.

Sample captured with Sony A7R IV. Camera settings: Exposure 1/800 sec. f/1.2. ISO 100

Where does the 50mm f/1.2 fit into the range?

While the 50mm F/1.4 DG DN Art Lens is perfect for many photographers, the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art is aimed at more serious enthusiasts and professionals who demand the highest image quality possible.

It can be used for everyday photography, video and pro applications such as weddings and events, ensuring broad versatility with breathtaking depth of field and low light performance, which is second to none. If you want the best from Sigma look no further.

Sample ©Xiao-Ting-Wu captured with Sony A7R III. Camera settings: Exposure 1/160 sec. f/1.2. ISO 800

Sigma 50mm f/1.2 Art vs 50mm f/1.4 Art

Both of Sigma’s 50mm Art lenses for mirrorless cameras offer plenty for creators to get excited about. The table below highlights the differences, and similarities between the two options, in order for you more easily decide which is most suited to your needs.

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Accessories

When acquiring a new lens, essential accessories such as lens filters are crucial. With its compact 72mm front thread, the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 Art allows for easy attachment of various options, such as a UV filter, circular polariser, or a variable ND filter for long exposure photography and moviemaking.

It’s recommended to keep your camera lens clean, which you can do through a combination of lens blower and micro fibre cleaning cloths. Additionally, the 3 Legged Thing Swirls Wrapz Small or 3 Legged Thing Retro Wrapz Pack of 3 are ideal water resistant wraps to protect this lens and any other valuable electronics stored in your bag.

The introduction of the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 Art lens provides Sony and Leica L users with access to a premium standard lens at a highly competitive price point. It marks the first Sigma lens with 13 aperture blades, features dual high-speed AF motors and advanced optics designed to deliver the best possible image quality, as well as first-class low light performance.

Choose between the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art lens for Sony E and 50mm f/1.2 for Leica L mount. For photographers who are upgrading, why not take advantage of our free quotation service to trade-in equipment and enjoy a completely stress-free process, from start to finish.

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By Nick Dautlich on 26/03/2024