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Buy the Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG DN Art
Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art Hands-on Review
Sigma's unique offering delivers good performance across the board
by Jeremy Gray | Posted 08/08/2022
Sigma has announced two new wide-angle prime lenses for full-frame mirrorless cameras, the Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art and the Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art. We've been fortunate enough to go hands-on with both lenses ahead of today's announcement.
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| Sony A7R IV with Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F8, 1/250s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw using lens correction profiles supplied by Sigma. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file. |
Before diving into the Sigma 20mm's features and performance, I want to provide some context since it's a somewhat unusual lens. Alongside the Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM Art for DSLR cameras, the Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art for mirrorless cameras is the only 20mm F1.4 lens available for full-frame cameras. Nobody else makes a lens like this, including Canon, Nikon, and Sony. There are 20mm F1.8 lenses but no 20mm F1.4 lenses.
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| Sony A7R IV with Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F11, 1/6s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw using lens correction profiles supplied by Sigma. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file. |
Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art key features and specifications
- Full-frame wide-angle prime lens
- Only full-frame 20mm F1.4 lens available for mirrorless cameras
- Available in E-mount and L-mount
- 17 elements in 15 groups
- Includes 2 SLD and 3 aspherical elements
- Features the largest double-sided aspherical glass element in Sigma's history
- 11-bladed rounded aperture diaphragm
- Dimensions (max diameter x length): 87.8 x 111.2mm (3.5 x 4.4 in.)
- Weighs 635g (22.4 oz.)
- 82mm filter thread
- Minimum focusing distance is 23cm (9.1 in.)
- Available in E-mount and L-mount
- Comes with a nice case
- $899
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| Sony A7R IV with Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F1.4, 1/6400s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw using lens correction profiles supplied by Sigma. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file. |
Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art design and usability
The Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art looks like many of Sigma's other Art lenses. The lens looks excellent with its varying black materials, including some flat surfaces and some with a bit more gloss. In the case of the shinier surfaces, they do a good job repelling fingerprints, which is nice. The lens is built using Sigma's Thermally Stable Composite (TSC), a type of polycarbonate that behaves thermally like aluminum. The lens "feels" like metal to me. But in any event, it's a high-quality lens.
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| The Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art is a sleek, stylish lens, built in the style of prior Sigma Art lenses. It uses a variety of black materials and is built with Sigma's Thermally Stable Composite (TSC), giving the lens a high-quality feel without sacrificing a lightweight design. |
The 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art is a relatively large lens. It's 111.2mm (4.4 in.) long with a max diameter of 87.8mm (3.5 in.). It's worth noting that the max diameter is localized to the very front of the lens so that the lens can accept 82mm filters without a noticeable vignette. The rest of the lens is slightly narrower and especially narrow near the lens mount. The lens weighs 635g (22.4 oz.), which is relatively heavy for a wide-angle prime lens. That said, the lens balances very nicely on the Sony A7R IV camera I used and is extremely easy to use handheld for extended periods.
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The lens includes many switches on the lens barrel itself, all of which provide satisfying tactile feedback. The lens includes a new MFL switch, which allows you to lock manual focus so that if you accidentally move the large focus ring, your focus won't change. Focus-by-wire lenses don't generally offer great manual focusing experiences, but this lens is an exception. There's an AF/MF switch, an aperture ring de-click switch, an aperture ring lock switch, and a function button. Speaking of the aperture ring, it's nice. It includes aperture markings at full stops from F1.4 to F16 and dashes for each one-third aperture setting. There's also an "A" setting that allows you to adjust the aperture using your camera's dials or let the aperture be controlled automatically.
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| The Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art (left) versus the Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art (right). The ultra-wide prime is larger and heavier than its 24mm counterpart, although it doesn't feel all that different in use. |
The lens comes with a high-quality petal-type lens hood. It includes multiple materials, including one with a grippy surface to make it easier to rotate the hood on and off the lens barrel. It includes a lock button, too. A slot to rotate a polarizing filter more easily would be a nice improvement, but otherwise, it's a good, functional lens hood. The lens also comes with a rectangular case. It's not a hard case but also a lot more than a pouch. The soft case includes padding and a custom insert for the lens. It's always nice to see lenses come with good cases, especially when they cost under $1,000.
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| The lens includes a nice, large focus ring and a dedicated manual aperture ring. You don't need to use the aperture ring, thanks to an "A" position on the ring. The lens includes a new MFL switch, allowing the user to lock the manual focus ring when manually focusing, preventing accidental focus distance changes. |
Overall, the Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art has excellent build quality and design. The weather-resistant lens seems poised to withstand the elements and last photographers a long time. The lens feels nice in the hands. Its generously-sized focus ring works well, offering a good amount of resistance to make focusing precise and rewarding. It also includes a good aperture ring, which can be de-clicked, and useful switches. Sigma's design team always does good work, and the new 20mm F1.4 Art lens is no exception.
Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art Review: Image quality
The Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art includes 17 elements in 15 groups. Among these elements are two SLD elements and three aspherical lens elements. Among the three aspherical elements is the largest double-sided aspherical element Sigma has ever used in one of its lenses.
Let's look at sharpness first. The sharpness test shots below have been processed in Adobe Camera Raw. Although official lens correction profiles are not yet available in ACR and Lightroom, Sigma provided beta correction profiles, which I have used for these images. If you'd like to view the original JPEG images or check out the raw files for yourself, they're available in the Gallery. There are also sharpness test shots for the full aperture values from F1.4 through F16.
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| Sony A7R IV with Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F1.4, 1/3200s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw using lens correction profiles supplied by Sigma. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file. |
Sharpness: The Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art is sharp, especially when you stop down
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| Sony A7R IV with Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F1.4, 1/8000s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 20mm - F1.4 - Full image. This image has been converted and processed in Adobe Camera Raw using lens correction profiles supplied by Sigma. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file. |
The Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens is pretty good at F1.4. However, the image has a bit of softness overall, even in the center of the frame. Granted, this is noticeable only when pixel peeping. The image looks sharp if you view the image at normal sizes or even reasonably large prints.
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| Sony A7R IV with Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F1.4, 1/8000s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 20mm - F1.4 - 100% center crop. This image has been converted and processed in Adobe Camera Raw using lens correction profiles supplied by Sigma. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file. |
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| Sony A7R IV with Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F1.4, 1/8000s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 20mm - F1.4 - 100% bottom right corner crop. This image has been converted and processed in Adobe Camera Raw using lens correction profiles supplied by Sigma. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file. |
If you want to improve sharpness, all you must do is stop down to F2. The image is noticeably sharper in the center of the frame at this aperture. Corner performance improves some, too, although it's not as big of an improvement.
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| Sony A7R IV with Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F2, 1/6400s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 20mm - F2 - 100% center crop. This image has been converted and processed in Adobe Camera Raw using lens correction profiles supplied by Sigma. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file. |
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| Sony A7R IV with Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F2, 1/6400s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 20mm - F2 - 100% bottom right corner crop. This image has been converted and processed in Adobe Camera Raw using lens correction profiles supplied by Sigma. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file. |
At F2.8, the lens is sharper still. At F2.8, the lens has achieved optimal performance, so far as I can tell. The corner performance is a bit better but still not especially great. That's not surprising for a 20mm prime lens.
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| Sony A7R IV with Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F2.8, 1/3200s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 20mm - F2.8 - 100% center crop. This image has been converted and processed in Adobe Camera Raw using lens correction profiles supplied by Sigma. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file. |
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| Sony A7R IV with Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F2.8, 1/3200s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 20mm - F2.8 - 100% bottom right corner crop. This image has been converted and processed in Adobe Camera Raw using lens correction profiles supplied by Sigma. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file. |
Is performance better at F4 than at F2.8? If so, it's by a very thin margin. You're splitting hairs to see much difference between the image quality at F2.8 and F4.
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| Sony A7R IV with Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F4, 1/1600s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 20mm - F4 - 100% center crop. This image has been converted and processed in Adobe Camera Raw using lens correction profiles supplied by Sigma. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file. |
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| Sony A7R IV with Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F4, 1/1600s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 20mm - F4 - 100% bottom right corner crop. This image has been converted and processed in Adobe Camera Raw using lens correction profiles supplied by Sigma. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file. |
Other image quality concerns: Good control over aberrations
There's more to image quality than sharpness. The Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens does a great job at controlling aberrations. While there's some minor purple fringing around high-contrast areas, it's minor and barely noticeable. The lens also performs well regarding distortion and vignette, at least once the lens correction profiles have been enabled.
11-bladed aperture delivers nice bokeh
The Sigma 20mm F1.4 lens includes an 11-bladed rounded aperture diaphragm. The resulting bokeh is very nice. Even though it's a wide-angle lens and you don't often worry about bokeh, it's also an F1.4 lens. Out-of-focus elements are rendered softly, and bokeh has no ugly, distracting elements.
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| Sony A7R IV with Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F1.4, 1/500s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw using lens correction profiles supplied by Sigma. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file. |
In the field
Autofocus
The Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens includes a stepping motor and is an internally focusing lens. The autofocus speed and accuracy are excellent. The lens is also pretty quiet when focusing, although you can occasionally hear a subtle buzzing.
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| Sony A7R IV with Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F8, 20s, ISO 400. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw using lens correction profiles supplied by Sigma. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file. |
The lens is compatible with Sony's fancy autofocus modes, including DMF, AF+MF, and AF Assist. In terms of manual focus, I've already mentioned the MF Lock switch, which is great. As for minimum focusing distance, the lens can focus as close as 23cm (9.1 in.), resulting in a max magnification ratio of 1:6.1. It's a far cry from a macro lens. Still, it can focus on very close foreground subjects for landscape photography.
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| Sony A7R IV with Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F2.8, 1/800s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw using lens correction profiles supplied by Sigma. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file. |
Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art Hands-on Review Summary
Sigma's newest ultra-wide, fast prime for full-frame mirrorless cameras is great
What I like most:
- Unique combination of focal length and maximum aperture
- Good build quality and design
- Reasonably lightweight
- Comes with a nice case
- Accepts screw-on filters
- Impressive image quality
- Good bokeh
- Swift autofocus
- Good price
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| Sony A7R IV with Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F1.4, 1/40s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw using lens correction profiles supplied by Sigma. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file. |
What I dislike:
- A bit soft at F1.4
- With the lens hood attached, it's a pretty long prime lens
- I wish it were available for additional full-frame mirrorless camera systems
There's a lot to like about the Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens and very little to dislike. The lens offers a unique combination of an ultra-wide-angle field of view and fast maximum aperture. To offer this compelling combination at $899 is very impressive. The lens isn't especially sharp when shot wide-open, but stopping down even slightly helps a lot, and it's still a fast lens even at F1.8 or F2.
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| Sony A7R IV with Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F8, 1/80s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw using lens correction profiles supplied by Sigma. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file. |
Note: Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate for me to capture any night sky images with the lens ahead of its announcement. However, I will try to borrow the lens from Sigma again later this year to do some astrophotography. I think the lens will be well-suited to that task.
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Product Overview
(From Sigma lens literature) Outstanding optical quality and a range of invaluable features – The ultimate astrophotography lens from the 20mm F1.4 pioneer.
The F1.4 series represents the SIGMA Art line, which pursues the highest optical performance and rich expression. The full-frame SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is a mirrorless version of the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art; the one and only lens* with its unique specification of maximum aperture of 1.4 and an ultra-wide angle of 20mm. This lens offers overwhelming optical performance and unlimited potential for ultra wide-angle creativity at a compact physical size. The exceptional F1.4 brightness and the breathtaking sharpness across the entire image even at maximum aperture make this lens the ultimate choice for astrophotography. In nightly darkness and focused to infinity, the 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art captures stars in the sky as clear, precise pinpoints of light. State-of-the-art optical design and the large, high-precision double-sided aspheric glass front element made it possible to add a front filter thread without any compromises regarding optical performance or size. The addition of other invaluable features such as a rear filter holder and a variety of useful switches further increases the creative possibilities and easy usability of the lens. Its incredible sharpness and very bright aperture, coupled with the compact body and thoughtful features, make the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art the ultimate lens for astrophotography and an ideal companion for any photographically demanding situation.
* As an AF interchangeable lens for mirrorless cameras that covers 35mm full-frame (as of August 2022, by SIGMA)
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[Key features]
- Highest optical performance on a new level
The SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art delivers exceptionally detailed results that easily satisfy the high demands of professional photography and other high-end applications. With 17 glass elements arranged in 15 groups, including two SLD, three aspherical glass elements and the largest class double-sided aspherical glass element in SIGMA's history, the 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art rigorously suppresses various optical aberrations such as sagittal coma flare or image distortion to produce highly-detailed images with exceptional sharpness and accuracy from the center to the furthest corners, allowing photographers to make use of the entire field of view afforded by its ultra-wide viewing angle. This ultimate astrophotography lens is the culmination of the unparalleled manufacturing technology of SIGMA's sole production base in Aizu, Japan, as well as the company's know-how and experience with large-aperture wide-angle lenses, such as the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art, the SIGMA 14mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art and the SIGMA 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN | Art.
- Designed for perfect results even in the most demanding conditions
SIGMA's outstanding design and high-precision manufacturing capabilities made it possible to equip the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art with a front filter thread despite its very large F1.4 aperture and 20mm ultra-wide viewing angle. The lens also comes with a rear filter holder, allowing photographers the freedom to combine multiple filters to suit a huge variety of shooting situations for near-unlimited creative potential at an ultra-wide viewing angle — for example, using a front filter to reduce light pollution and a softening filter on the rear to take impressive photographs of nightly landscapes with star-filled skies. The new MFL (Manual Focus Lock) switch to turn off the focus ring makes it easier to concentrate on the shoot without worrying about accidentally changing the focusing distance. Further, the lens also equips a lens heater retainer, meaning that lens heaters used to prevent internal condensation as the temperature drops on longer night shoots will stay securely attached to the barrel without protruding into the image and causing unsightly vignetting. With its brilliant optical power and its full range of useful features despite its compact and lightweight body, the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is the ultimate choice when photographing the night sky.
- Superb build quality and usability, uncompromising attention to detail
Its dust- and splash-resistant structure*1 and the water- and oil-repellent coating on the front glass element make the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art safe to use during longer outdoor shoots, especially during the night. Thoughtful features such as a focus mode switch, a customizable AFL*2 button, and an aperture ring lock switch enhance the lens usability. An aperture ring click switch can be used to turn the aperture ring click on and off, allowing photographers to enjoy the sound and feel of the click, as well as smooth aperture operation during video recording. The robust body is built from a combination of aluminum and Thermally Stable Composite (TSC), giving it a sleek finish, and the included petal-shaped lens hood is equipped with a lock mechanism to keep the hood securely fastened to the lens, and the rubberized grip area makes attaching and removing the hood a quick and easy process. Manufactured in Japan with an uncompromising approach towards every single detail, the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art offers photographers an exceptional experience with high-end results even in the most difficult conditions, thanks to its outstanding optical performance, exceptional build quality perfect for professional use, brilliant and precise ergonomics, and a range of useful features.
*1 Although this construction allows the lens to be used in light rain, it is not the same as being waterproof.
*2 Only on compatible cameras. Available functions may vary depending on the camera used.
[Additional features]
- Lens construction: 17 elements in 15 groups, with 2 SLD and 3 aspherical lens elements
- Inner focus system
- Compatible with high-speed autofocus
- Stepping Motor
- Front filter thread (82mm)
- Compatible with Lens Aberration Correction
- Function available on supported cameras only. Available corrections and auto correction functionality may vary depending on the camera model.
- On cameras where lens aberration correction is controlled with "ON" or "OFF" in the camera menu, please set all aberration correction functions to "ON" (AUTO).
- Programmable function only on compatible cameras. Available functions may vary depending on the camera used.
To learn more about SIGMA’s craftsmanship, please visit SIGMA website at:
https://www.sigma-global.com/en/about/craftsmanship/
Notes:
The L-Mount Trademark is a registered Trademark of Leica Camera AG.
Appearance and specifications are subject to change without notice.
Pricing & Availability
The new SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art lens will be available for both Sony E-mount and L-Mount systems in the U.S. at SIGMA Authorized Dealers for a retail price of $899 in late August 2022.
Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG DN Art
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