6 Best Sigma Lenses for ALL Camera Brands

For years, Sigma has been one of the best third-party lens developers for photographers on a budget.

Now, though, Sigma is stepping into the big leagues with its pro-level Art series.

From zoom lenses to primes, Sigma’s really upped its game in the last few years, and there are now more options than ever.

That’s why I’ve put together this best Sigma lens guide.

It’s short and sweet, but each lens on this list has really proven itself to be a high performer at a great price.

No matter whether you shoot with Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, or Leica, there’s likely a great Sigma lens out there for you.

Let’s take a look.

Best Sigma Lenses

Image	Product	Features
	Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN ArtOUR #1 CHOICE	Great Optical Performance Constant f/2.8 Aperture Integrated Stepping Motor Clean Focus with Pleasing Bokeh	Check Price →
	Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM SportsVERSATILE TELEPHOTO LENS	Bright & Sophisticated Design Flexible Telephoto Zoom Fast & Constant Aperture Intelligent OS System	Check AMAZON Price → Check B&H Price →
	Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN ArtBEST FOR PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY	Advanced & Updated Optical Design Bright Aperture Five Special Low Dispersion Ultra Sharp	Check AMAZON Price → Check B&H Price →
	Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM ArtBEST FOR STREET PHOTOGRAPHY	Ultra Sharp Weather Resistant Robust Build Beautiful Bokeh	Check AMAZON Price → Check B&H Price →
	Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM ArtHIGH QUALITY	Sophisticated Optics Intuitive Handling & Design High-resolution Rendering Bright Aperture	Check AMAZON Price → Check B&H Price →
	Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM ArtGREAT VALUE	Quiet Auto Focusing Great Bang for Buck Extremely Wide 1.8 Maximum Aperture Rugged Build	Check AMAZON Price → Check B&H Price →

1. Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art

Aperture: f/2.8 across the range
Focal Length: 24-70mm
Autofocus: High-speed, silent Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM)

My Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 DG DN art lens stays permanently in my camera bag. I have shot this lens for portraits, weddings, and landscapes.

The constant f/2.8 aperture is a dream in low light, capturing details with such clarity that I never need to overshoot the ISO.

This lens is particularly handy when I’m out and about and it’s impossible to keep switching lenses constantly; the 24-70mm range is versatile enough to handle wide-angle landscapes and close-up portraits, all in one.

What I find most impressive about this lens is its edge-to-edge sharpness.

Most lenses tend to soften toward the edges, but the Sigma 24-70mm holds its clarity across the frame, which is invaluable for group portraits or expansive landscapes.

It provides a color rendition that’s very bright but not oversaturated, allowing me to achieve realistic and true-to-life colored shots.

Its autofocus, powered by the Hyper Sonic Motor lens, operates quickly in any lighting condition, making it incredibly useful for both events and low-light situations.

While it’s not as heavy as some, it still takes some getting used to.

At nearly 2 lbs, it’s not exactly lightweight, and after a long shoot, you’ll definitely feel it.

That said, the sturdy build and weather sealing make the weight a worthwhile trade-off.

I can confidently bring it along to more adventurous shoots without worry of dust or moisture sneaking in.

This lens is an investment, but its quality and versatility make it worth every penny, especially if you’re looking for one lens to handle every scenario within the portrait range.

For me, it is that Swiss Army knife—a reliable, versatile lens that’s top of the range for just about any type of photography.

It’s the one lens I always recommend to someone building a kit, mainly because it performs so well in such a wide range of conditions.

• Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 Review

2. Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports

Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 70-200mm
Image Stabilization: Yes

This one’s a real treat, especially if you’re really into sports, wildlife photography, or even concert photography.

That’s because you get such tremendous reach with no compromise on the image quality when focusing on very fast-moving subjects.

Now, with an f/2.8 aperture, it can capture some fabulous detail shots even in somewhat poorly lit environments.

Its bokeh is silky smooth and dreamy – your subjects just pop right out of the picture in such a natural way.

The game-changer for this lens is its built-in Optical Stabilizer

It allows me to shoot confidently, even at 200mm, without worrying too much about camera shake.

I’ve shot handheld in crowded sports arenas and gotten sharp, clear shots.

The autofocus is super responsive, locking onto subjects quickly and tracking them even as they move across the frame.

This becomes particularly important when recording fast action because even the slightest delay would mean a lost shot.

The only negative? It’s not exactly a lightweight lens. Carrying it around for hours can become exhausting.

But what you get in exchange is fantastic durability.

With this weather-sealed lens, I’ve shot in all kinds of conditions—from hot, sunny beaches to misty forests—and it has never let me down.

It strikes an impressive balance between durability, image quality, and manageable size.

This lens is perfect for any long-reach situation, whether you’re capturing wildlife at the zoo, action at a local sports event, or the energy of a live concert.

It’s incredibly versatile and dependable, and can get you those high-impact, close-up shots that tell a compelling story.

• Best Lenses for Sports Photography

3. Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

Aperture: f/1.4
Focal Length: 85mm
Autofocus: Fast and precise

The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art is one of my favorite ever portrait photography lenses.

It features 15 elements arranged in 11 groups, including five Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements and one aspherical element that help to control chromatic aberration, vignetting, and distortion.

The wide aperture of f/1.4 delivers a gorgeous, shallow depth of field that melts backgrounds into creamy, soft bokeh.

That really helps my subjects stand out, which is perfect for professional portrait shoots where subject isolation is key.

In my experience, the lens’s sharpness, even wide open, is unbeatable.

I also like the fact that this 85mm weighs so much less than comparable lenses.

The reduced weight makes a noticeable difference: I can shoot for extended periods without the fatigue I usually get with heavier lenses.

Autofocus snaps and locks well on my subject, so I don’t miss those moments that bring portraits to life.

Color reproduction is good – flesh tones are warmly lifelike and alive, a big plus for portraiture.

It lacks built-in stabilization, however, so handheld low-light shots can be a little more of a challenge than desired without a steady hand or tripod.

For me, though, this has rarely been an issue because the f/1.4 aperture does most of the heavy lifting in low-light conditions.

One downside of this lens is that it suffers some distortion – though this is usually fixable with distortion correction.

Although it’s on the high side of the price scale, it offers quality that’s well worth the investment if portrait work is your primary focus.

In short, any serious portrait photographer will drool over the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DN Art.

Thanks to creamy bokeh and clarity, every shot looks like a piece of art.

• Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Review

4. Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

Aperture: f/1.4
Focal Length: 50mm
Autofocus: Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) for swift focus

Everyday photography is a breeze with the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art.

This is the street and travel lens of choice, and I often use it for family photoshoots thanks to its classic, versatile focal length that feels natural in any setting.

At f/1.4, this lens lets in tons of light and shoots without a hitch in low-light environments.

The images it produces are sharp, full of character, and complemented by bokeh that feels balanced and authentic.

It’s really fantastic in color capture and contrast.

Without even editing, the pictures pop so vibrantly, and that is not often experienced from other lenses.

The autofocus is quick and seamless for candid shots.

I’ve used it at family gatherings, street photography walks, and some close-up portrait work, and it never fails to deliver.

Its only downside is that it’s a bit on the bulky side compared to some other 50mm lenses. If you’re carrying it around all day, the weight can get a bit noticeable.

However, the build quality is sturdy and dependable, so I feel comfortable using it in a variety of settings without worrying about wear and tear.

It’s not a cheap lens, but the performance and versatility make it well worth the investment.

In a nutshell, I highly recommend the 50mm Art lens to anyone looking for a versatile, everyday option capable of handling a wide range of photography styles.

• Nifty Fifty Lens Guide

5. Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art

Aperture: f/1.8
Focal Length: 135mm
Autofocus: Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM)

The Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art is one of the most striking portrait lenses I have ever used.

Its f/1.8 aperture delivers incredible sharpness, producing portraits that are tack-sharp even when shot wide open.

The 135mm focal length gives such pleasing compression effects that the subjects stand out beautifully against the background without distortion.

This makes it very well suited for tight shots, where you just want the subject to own the frame.

The first thing to mention about this lens is its bokeh.

This lens creates a stunning depth of field, rendering a wonderfully soft, buttery background that perfectly separates your subject from the rest of the scene.

It can come in very handy in an outdoor portrait session where all focus needs to be directed on the subject without distractions from the background.

Color rendering is excellent; it captures color tones that are vibrant but look nowhere near over-saturated, and skin tones appear incredibly natural and flattering.

This results in the lens reproducing colors that really do not need much correction at all​.

Of course, the lens is rather heavy. It’s a bit of an exercise to carry it around for hours.

The weather sealing is a major advantage, giving me the confidence to shoot outdoors in rainy conditions or under scorching sunlight without any worries.

Another small negative aspect of this lens is the fact that it lacks image stabilization, so shooting hand-held in low light becomes more difficult.

However, the fast f/1.8 aperture usually compensates for this, making it a non-issue in most situations.

Overall, the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art is my go-to lens for portraits, especially when I want to create a dramatic, cinematic feel.

The image quality is breathtaking and makes me want to shoot whenever it’s mounted on my camera.

6. Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art

Aperture: f/1.8 (constant)
Focal Length: 18-35mm
Crop Sensor Compatibility: Yes
Autofocus: HSM motor

Here’s a top Sigma pick for crop-sensor users. This one really is a game-changer since it’s rare to have a zoom lens that carries a constant f/1.8 aperture.

I’ve used this for all different types of shoots – from landscapes to events where the lighting gets low.

Its wide angle of view covers a great deal of ground, and the ability to zoom from 18mm to 35mm while maintaining that fast f/1.8 aperture means I can cover most scenarios without changing lenses.

Sharpness, in the 18-35mm range, is phenomenal. Even at the widest aperture, it delivers sharp images across the frame, which isn’t always the case with zoom lenses.

The colors pop and the contrast levels give your images a punchy feel.

This lens performs well in low light, allowing for wide-aperture shots and making it a pretty good option for indoor events or evening photography.

I was able to get clear shots in fairly dim conditions without needing to bump the ISO up much.

It does have its downsides: the lens is designed specifically for crop sensors, limiting its compatibility with full-frame cameras.

For instance, wide-angle shots on full-frame bodies would result in heavy vignetting, though this isn’t an issue with crop sensors.

It’s also slightly heavier than similar lenses, which can be a minor drawback during long shooting sessions.

That said, it’s built with exceptional quality. It’s robust and very durable and handles well in a range of conditions.

It’s ideal for photographers who want the convenience of a zoom but don’t want to compromise on image quality.

It has become my go-to for travel and event shoots where flexibility and sharpness are of the essence.

FAQ’s

Does the Sigma lens fit Nikon?

Yes, most Sigma lenses will fit a Nikon camera, but it depends on the type of lens and camera model you’re using.

Does the autofocus on Sony A7S work with Sigma lenses?

Generally, the autofocus on Song A7S should work with your Sigma lenses as long as they’re both compatible.

Are Sigma lenses professional?

Yes, Sigma lenses are widely used by professional photographers due to their high-quality optics and performance.

Are Sigma lenses made in China?

No, Sigma lenses are manufactured exclusively in the company’s Aizu factory in Japan.

Final Words

Sigma lenses have always been a great option for those wanting to save a bit of money on their gear, but the Art series has really proved itself to be a contender in the world of pro lenses.

The build quality, exceptional optics, and fantastic performance of each Sigma Art lens, combined with their more than reasonable price tags, make them seriously worth a look.

So, if you’re looking for a great, high-performing lens at a fraction of the price, you can’t really go wrong with a Sigma lens.

While we didn’t include a telephoto zoom lens or macro lens in the list above, we really think these lenses are the best Sigma lenses.