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Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art Hands-on Review

A top-notch 24mm F1.4 prime at a great price

by Jeremy Gray | Posted 08/08/2022

The Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens doesn't have quite the same unique appeal as the new 20mm F1.4 lens, given that 24mm F1.4 prime lenses aren't especially rare. Sony has one in the form of the FE 24mm F1.4 G Master lens, for example. However, what the Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lacks in originality, it makes up for in quality. It's an impressive lens at an excellent $799 price.

Sony A7R IV with Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F8, 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.

The Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art joins the existing Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG DN Art and 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art fast prime lenses for full-frame mirrorless cameras. If not for the new 20mm lens, the 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art would be the widest prime in Sigma's F1.4 lineup for mirrorless cameras.

Sony A7R IV with Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F11, 1/8s, 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 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art key features and specifications

• Full-frame wide-angle prime lens
• Available in E-mount and L-mount
• 17 elements in 14 groups
• Includes 2 FLD, 1 SLD and 4 aspherical elements
• 11-bladed rounded aperture diaphragm
• Dimensions (max diameter x length): 75.7 x 95.5mm (3 x 3.8 in.)
• Weighs 520g (18.3 oz.)
• 72mm filter thread
• Minimum focusing distance is 25cm (9.9 in.)
• Available in E-mount and L-mount
• Comes with a nice case
• $799

Sony A7R IV with Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F10, 1/125s, 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: A well-built, well-designed and compact 24mm prime

The Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens is a reasonably compact, very nice-looking 24mm prime lens. It weighs 520g (18.3 oz.), which is quite lightweight. The lens is 85.5mm (3.8 in.) long, and its max diameter is 75.7mm (3 in.). The lens has a 72mm filter thread.

The Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art is a good-looking lens. You can see the 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art here (right).

Unlike the Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens, we have a very good comparison lens for the Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art, the Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM lens. Sony's lens is 75g (2.6 oz.) lighter and slightly shorter. The Sony lens' diameter is similar, although it uses 67mm filters. Considering how impressively small and light Sony's lens is, it's impressive that Sigma has come close to matching the Sony prime with its new 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens.

The Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens is pretty compact and lightweight, given its focal length and max aperture.

The 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art has a nice focus ring with a ridged rubber surface. It offers moderate resistance, allowing for precise manual focusing. The lens includes a new MFL switch that allows you to lock the manual focus ring. While it will rotate freely with the lock enabled, the lens's focus won't change. It's useful when you're shooting at a specific focus distance and don't want it to change, even if you accidentally rotate the ring.

Alongside the MFL switch, the lens also includes AF/MF, aperture ring de-click, aperture ring lock switches, and a customizable button. The aperture ring has full-stop markings at F1.4 through F16 and one-third aperture marks between each full aperture stop, although these aren't labeled. The aperture ring also has an "A" position, allowing you to control the aperture via the camera or let the camera automatically determine the aperture.

The Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens has a wide, grippy focus ring and a marked aperture ring. The weather-resistant lens has great usability and the build quality feels very good.

The lens comes with a nice lens hood. The hood includes a locking button and a grippy surface to aid with rotating it on and off the lens. The lens also comes in a nice soft case with a padded interior and a zipper opening. The outside of the case is thick and should offer extensive protection to your lens when traveling.

Overall, the Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens has a nice design. The lens looks and feels good. It's also reasonably compact given its F1.4 max aperture. It's not quite as light as the Sony 24mm F1.4 GM lens, which is extremely light, but Sigma's new lens is about the same size.

The Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art (left) versus 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art (right).

Sigma's Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) material makes for a robust-feeling, good-looking lens. The lens is also dust and weather-resistant, which is great news for landscape photographers. I wouldn't hesitate to use the lens in adverse weather conditions. The lens is aimed at enthusiasts and professional photographers alike, and it looks the part.

Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art image quality: Good performance across the board

The Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens has the same number of elements as Sigma's new 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens, 17, although the 24mm lens organizes these elements across 14 groups, one fewer than the 20mm prime. Among the 17 elements are two FLD elements, one SLD element, and four aspherical lens elements.

Sony A7R IV with Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F1.4, 1/8000s, ISO 160. 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 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.

Sharpness: The Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens is sharp, even wide open

Sony A7R IV with Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F1.4, 1/8000s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 24mm - 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.

At the wide-open aperture of F1.4, the Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens produces good center sharpness. The performance drops off quite noticeably as you move toward the corner.

Sony A7R IV with Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F1.4, 1/8000s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 24mm - 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.

Sony A7R IV with Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F1.4, 1/8000s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 24mm - 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.

By stopping down to F2, center sharpness is noticeably and considerably improved, which is saying quite something since F1.4 performance is already good. However, even though the center of the frame is crisp and detailed at F2, corner performance remains middling.

Sony A7R IV with Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F2, 1/5000s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 24mm - 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.

Sony A7R IV with Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F2, 1/5000s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 24mm - 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, center sharpness is slightly better and is excellent overall. Corner sharpness is noticeably better than at F2 and is pretty good.

Sony A7R IV with Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F2.8, 1/2500s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 24mm - 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.

Sony A7R IV with Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F2.8, 1/2500s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 24mm - 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.

At F4, corner sharpness is slightly improved. Center sharpness remains excellent, although I can't see any improvement over F2.8. If you're looking to capture landscape images, F4-5.6 are good choices for overall image quality. If you require more depth of field, F8 and F11 are good choices, although there's minor diffraction at F11. It's minor, though, so you should still be fine. I wouldn't hesitate to use F11.

Sony A7R IV with Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F4, 1/1600s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 24mm - 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.

Sony A7R IV with Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F4, 1/1600s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 24mm - 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: Minimal CA and distortion

With the lens correction profiles Sigma supplied, the 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens exhibits only a minor vignette. Distortion is also well-controlled. As for chromatic aberrations, there's not much to say, which is a good thing. The lens shows no obvious longitudinal or lateral chromatic aberration.

Bokeh: Soft out-of-focus areas

Sigma has equipped its fast 24mm prime with an 11-bladed rounded aperture diaphragm. The lens produces nice bokeh, which could work nicely for wide-angle environmental portraits. The lens can't focus super close, so it's not always easy to throw a background out of focus, but when you can, it looks great.

Sony A7R IV with Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F1.4, 1/4000s, 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.

The 11-bladed aperture diaphragm also makes for nice sun stars. You can also see how the lens handles flare-producing situations in the image below. The lens exhibits no flare in most situations, by the way.

Sony A7R IV with Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F10, 1/30s, ISO 125. 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 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens delivers good autofocus performance. The lens' stepping motor works well to provide quick and quiet autofocusing. The lens works with Sony's distinct autofocus features, like DMF, AF+MF, and AF Assist.

The lens can focus as close as 25cm (9.9 in.), basically identical to Sony's 24mm F1.4 GM lens. The Sigma 24mm's maximum magnification ratio is 1:7.1, so it's not a macro lens. However, the lens works well when you can get close to your subject.

Sony A7R IV with Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F5.6, 1/1000s, ISO 160. 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 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art Hands-on Review Summary

An impressive, fast wide-angle prime lens for mirrorless cameras

What I like most:

• Reasonably compact and lightweight
• Good build quality and handling
• Includes a good case
• Great image quality
• Soft bokeh
• Reliable, quick autofocus
• Aggressive price

Sony A7R IV with Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F8, 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:

• Corner performance is lacking at fast apertures
• Only available for E-mount and L-mount

Sony A7R IV with Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens at F10, 1/13s, 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.

A 24mm prime lens is a great choice for a wide range of photographic applications. However, prime lenses are inherently limiting. They aren't as versatile as zoom lenses. That said, you get speed and a compact form factor in exchange for flexibility. The Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens exhibits both these advantages, delivering a very-fast max aperture in a lightweight design. Not only that, but the lens is sharp, offering excellent image quality.

 

• • •

Product Overview

(From Sigma lens literature)
Stunning power of the Art series lens in a compact body: Explore the versatile potential of "24mm F1.4" with SIGMA.

Featuring a very large maximum aperture of F1.4, outstanding suppression of optical aberrations as well as a wealth of thought-out features, the SIGMA 24mm F1.4 DG DN | Art enables photographers to capture breathtakingly clear images with ease even in the most demanding lighting conditions. The versatile viewing angle of 24mm and the luxurious brightness of its F1.4 maximum aperture make this lens the perfect choice for all possible situations, from casual snapshots taken indoors to architectural photographs and even nightly astrophotography. The outstanding image quality achieved by its dedicated mirrorless optical design and the use of each glass element and optimal part resulted in a thorough suppression of optical aberration such as sagittal coma flare to ensure peak performance in every part of the image, within a compact and lightweight body. Additional features such as a front filter thread, rear filter holder and useful buttons such as the newly introduced MFL (Manual Focus Lock) switch further expand the possibilities and versatility of the lens. The SIGMA 24mm F1.4 DG DN | Art brings the power and pleasure of an astrophotography lens into everyday situations.

[Key features]

• Wide viewing angle and astrophotography-level optical performance

The fantastic optical performance of the SIGMA 24mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is powered by the optimal arrangement of 17 elements in 14 groups, including two FLD, one SLD and four aspherical glass elements. The successful suppression of optical aberrations such as sagittal coma flare, which cannot be corrected by the camera, contributes to lens' clear and accurate point-image reproduction capabilities in every part of the frame. Other unsightly effects such as ghosting or flares are minimized by its state-of-the-art optical design, and the use of Super Multi-Layer Coating and Nano Porous Coating (NPC) allow the SIGMA 24mm F1.4 DG DN | Art to deliver visual punch even in backlit conditions and near maximum aperture. Its power to render clean and accurate images in any situations make this lens ideal for everyday use as well as technically demanding genres like astro-, landscape and architectural photography. Experience the power and joy of one of the most versatile lenses in SIGMA's Art F1.4 lineup.

• Compact for an F1.4 large-aperture, wide-angle lens beyond belief

The SIGMA 24mm F1.4 DG DN | Art delivers its brilliant optical performance in a compact, portable and easy-to-use body. Thanks to an optimal placement of each single part, the use of complex aspherical glass elements, the freedom afforded by the short flange back distance and a fierce fight for every single gram, the lens comes at an astonishingly small size and weight despite its wide viewing angle and large maximum aperture without any compromise of its optical qualities. With its handy dimensions, the 24mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is easy and convenient to use in any given situation, from travel and street photography to night-time photography. The wide viewing angle of its 24mm focal length makes it easy to get everything into the shot without losing focus of the subject – ideal for single or group portraits and documentary photography. The SIGMA 24mm F1.4 DG DN | Art opens up endless possibilities to anyone who values high optical performance, versatility and convenience, from professional photographers to users who are new to a wide-angle prime lens.

• Superb build quality with a range of useful features

The SIGMA 24mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is equipped with both a front filter thread and a rear filter holder, as well as a new MFL switch that disables the focusing ring to prevent accidental changes that will be especially helpful when photographing the stars at night. The dust- and splash-resistant structure*1 of the lens itself and the water- and oil-repellent coating of the front element will keep the lens safe and functioning even during shoots in harsher environments. Thoughtful features such as a focus mode switch, a freely configurable AFL button*2 and the aperture ring lock switch to prevent accidental changes further enhance the intuitive and flexible nature of the lens. The petal-type hood has a lock mechanism to prevent unintentional removal. Filmmakers will especially appreciate the fast yet silent autofocus driven by a stepping motor and the aperture ring click switch that allows for smooth aperture control.

With its exceptional optical performance and superb build quality, the SIGMA 24mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is the latest result of SIGMA's relentless, uncompromising pursuit of perfection down to the smallest detail.

*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]

1. Lens construction: 17 elements in 14 groups, with 2 FLD, 1 SLD, 4 aspherical lens elements
2. Inner focus system
3. Compatible with high-speed autofocus
4. Stepping Motor
5. Front filter thread (72mm)
6. 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).

Support for DMF and AF+MF

Compatible with AF assist (Sony E-mount only)

Nano porous coating

Super Multi-Layer Coating

Water- and oil-repellent coating

Aperture ring

Aperture ring click switch

Aperture ring lock switch

AFL button

• Programmable function only on compatible cameras. Available functions may vary depending on the camera used.

Manual Focus Lock (MFL) switch

Rear filter holder

Focus mode switch

Support for switching between linear and non-linear focus ring settings (L-Mount only)

Petal-type lens hood with lock (LH782-01)

Dust- and splash-resistant structure

Compatible with SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately, L-Mount only)

Designed to minimize flare and ghosting

Every single lens is evaluated with SIGMA's proprietary MTF measuring system

11-blade rounded diaphragm

High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount

“Made in Japan” craftsmanship

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 24mm 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 $799 in late August 2022.