50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art: Sigma launches the lightest and least expensive 50mm f/1.2 on the market

Do you like blurry, soft and creamy backgrounds? Sigma releases a new 50mm with very large aperture f/1.2, having on paper all the assets to become a bestseller. Its first advantage, very down to earth, is its price. A 50mm f/1.2 lens has always put a lot of strain on the wallet and an overview of the market for hybrids with a 24x36mm sensor is enough to be convinced of this: Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM at €2,679, Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S at €2,549 and Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 G Master at €2,299.

An almost light optic

Faced with such competitors, Sigma is attacking very hard with a price of only €1,499 (including tax). While its regular move upmarket could raise fears of a price tag just below €2000, the manufacturer has not lost sight of its mission, namely to democratize photography. This financial fear removed, another arises: okay, Sigma is accustomed to cheaper optics, but they are also heavier. Oh joy, here is the other excellent surprise.

While the models from Canon (950 g) and Nikon (1090 g) orbit around the kilogram and the gram hunter that is Sony claims only 778 g, this 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art does better. At 745g, it is the lightest 50mm f/1.2 for 24x36mm hybrids on the market — and in history!

Modern optical formula

The optical organization here is complex with no less than 17 elements (including four aspherical lenses) grouped into 14 groups. Far from the old stones of the era of film SLRs with a soft, but very soft rendering, the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art is a modern lens. This means that the line resolution is optimized to be already very high at full aperture, not only at the minimum focusing distance (40 cm), but also up to infinity.

Sigma has also taken care of the development with a promise of reduction in frame movement (focus breathing) depending on the distance. Without being parafocal, the fixed focal length should therefore shine in video uses with shifting the focus from one shot to another without touching the frame.

King of bokeh?

The smoothness and gradual nature of background blurs are very strongly influenced by the number of shutter blades. For this 50 mm f/1.2, Sigma played Mr. Plus: when the competition is counting on 9 (Nikon), 10 (Canon) or even 11 (Sony) blades, this new model displays no less than 13 which should guarantee very smooth transitions.

Although we will have to wait for our test with our sight and in the field, the photos sent by Sigma seem to confirm its promise to deliver a true king of bokeh.

The Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art will be available from April 18, 2024 for Sony FE and L-Alliance mounts (Panasonic, Leica and Sigma) at the recommended price of €1,499.