Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Review (Sony E-Mount)

The Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art is a professional-grade ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed specifically for full-frame mirrorless cameras. Part of Sigma's premium Art lineup, this lens offers exceptional optical performance, robust build quality, and a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8, making it an excellent choice for landscape, architecture, astrophotography, and video work.

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Features / Specifications

The Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art is packed with advanced features to deliver outstanding performance:

Focal Length: 14-24mm, ideal for ultra-wide perspectives in photography and videography.
Maximum Aperture: Constant f/2.8, allowing for excellent low-light performance and creative depth of field control.
Lens Construction: 18 elements in 13 groups, including:
- 3 aspherical elements.
- 3 FLD (F Low Dispersion) elements.
- 3 SLD (Special Low Dispersion) elements.
Coatings: Sigma’s Super Multi-Layer Coating and Nano Porous Coating minimize flare and ghosting while maximizing contrast.
Aperture Blades: 11 rounded blades for smooth, circular bokeh.
Minimum Focus Distance: 28 cm (11 inches).
Magnification Ratio: 1:7.3.
Filter Compatibility: Rear filter holder for gel filters (front-mounted filters are incompatible due to the bulbous front element).
Weight: 795g (28 oz).
Dimensions: 85mm x 131mm (3.4 x 5.2 inches).
Weather Sealing: Comprehensive sealing for dust and splash resistance.

Build Quality

As part of Sigma’s Art series, the build quality is exemplary:

Materials: Constructed with a mix of metal and high-quality composite materials, giving the lens a premium feel while maintaining durability.
Weather Sealing: Extensive weatherproofing makes it suitable for challenging environments like rain, snow, or dusty conditions.
Lens Hood: The fixed petal-shaped lens hood provides protection against impacts and reduces stray light for improved contrast.
Controls: Includes a customizable AFL (Auto Focus Lock) button and a smooth zoom ring with excellent tactile feedback.

Size, Weight, and Dimensions

The Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 is surprisingly compact and lightweight for an ultra-wide-angle lens with a constant f/2.8 aperture:

Portability: Weighing 795g, it is lighter and more compact than many DSLR equivalents, making it travel-friendly.
Handling: The well-balanced design pairs comfortably with Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras, ensuring a comfortable grip during extended use.

Image Quality

The optical performance of the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art is exceptional, with sharpness, contrast, and control over optical aberrations that rival even prime lenses.

Sharpness

Center Sharpness:
- Extremely sharp at all focal lengths and apertures, even wide open at f/2.8.
- Resolution is at its peak between f/4 and f/5.6, delivering stunning detail for landscapes and architecture.
Edge Sharpness:
- While ultra-wide-angle lenses often suffer from edge softness, this lens excels in maintaining excellent resolution across the frame.
- At 14mm and f/2.8, edges show minor softness but sharpen significantly by f/4.
Consistency:
- Outstanding performance across the zoom range makes it a reliable choice for demanding professionals.

Color Rendering and Contrast

Color Accuracy: Natural and vibrant color rendering that enhances landscape and architectural images.
Contrast: High contrast across all focal lengths, with excellent performance even in backlit conditions.

Bokeh

Background Blur:
- While not a primary feature of ultra-wide lenses, the lens produces smooth and pleasing bokeh when shooting close-up subjects.
- The 11-blade aperture design ensures round highlights in out-of-focus areas.
Subject Isolation: Limited but effective when using the close focusing distance creatively.

Optical Aberrations

Chromatic Aberration:
- Virtually non-existent due to the inclusion of multiple FLD and SLD elements.
Distortion:
- Minimal barrel distortion at 14mm and negligible pincushion distortion at 24mm, easily corrected in-camera or during post-processing.
Flare and Ghosting:
- Excellent control over flare and ghosting thanks to Sigma’s advanced coatings, making it ideal for shooting directly into light sources.
Vignetting:
- Noticeable at f/2.8 but well-managed, particularly given the ultra-wide focal length. It improves significantly by f/4.

Autofocus

Speed: Fast and precise autofocus, thanks to a stepping motor optimized for mirrorless systems.
Accuracy: Reliable performance for both single-shot AF and continuous AF, even in challenging lighting.
Low-Light Performance: Performs well in dim conditions, although AF speed may slow slightly in extremely dark environments.

Performance in Photography and Videography

Photography

Landscapes: Exceptional sharpness, dynamic range, and edge-to-edge detail make this lens a top choice for capturing sweeping vistas.
Architecture: The low distortion and high resolution excel in architectural photography, where straight lines and fine details are critical.
Astrophotography: The wide field of view, fast f/2.8 aperture, and minimal coma aberration make it perfect for night sky photography.

Videography

Smooth Operation: The quiet autofocus motor and de-clicked aperture provide seamless operation for video shooting.
Minimal Focus Breathing: Ensures a consistent field of view during focus pulls, a significant advantage for filmmakers.
Stabilization Compatibility: Pairs well with in-body stabilization on Sony cameras for steady handheld shooting.

Use Cases

The Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art is versatile enough for a wide range of applications:

Professional Landscapes: Exceptional optical performance ensures breathtaking images.
Interior and Architecture: Wide coverage and minimal distortion make it a go-to lens for real estate and architectural work.
Astrophotography: Ideal for capturing star trails, the Milky Way, and low-light scenes.
Videography: Smooth, cinematic visuals for ultra-wide perspectives in videos.

Price

At approximately $1,399 USD, the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art offers incredible value for a professional-grade ultra-wide lens. It is significantly more affordable than competitors like the Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 GM while delivering comparable image quality and features.

The Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art is an outstanding ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for Sony E-mount cameras, delivering exceptional sharpness, minimal distortion, and versatile performance in a lightweight, durable package. Whether you're capturing dramatic landscapes, intricate architectural details, or the night sky, this lens meets and exceeds the expectations of demanding photographers and videographers. Its price-performance ratio makes it a compelling alternative to higher-priced options in the market.

Conclusion

Rating

Our overall rating: 9.2/10

The Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art is a premium, professional lens that balances excellent optical performance with robust build quality, making it an essential addition to any ultra-wide-angle shooter’s kit.