The Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM (Amazon, B&H) is primarily a photography lens, though it will be used for video.
In this article let’s take a comprehensive look at the important features and specifications of the Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM and see how good it will perform specifically for video, cinematography and filmmaking.
The aim of this article is to provide you with enough information and perspective so you can decide for yourself whether this lens is right for your film or video.
Important: This article is a comprehensive overview of the lens with available information; and an analysis based on our experience shooting for almost two decades. It is not a hands-on review. If and when we get hold of the lens we’ll be sure to publish a detailed review. If this is not your cup of tea you can stop reading.
Click to what you want quickly:
- TLDR;
- Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM vs Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM
- Features:
- Control:
- Basics:
- Alternatives to the Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM
TLDR;
What you need to know for video work about the Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM (Amazon, B&H):
- The Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM is a great ultra wide to wide focal length lens.
- 9 blade aperture for softer, better bokeh.
- Superior Optical performance.
- The lens doesn’t have OS, but you will get some stabilization with a camera that has IBIS.
- It exhibits breathing.
Can be great for the following types of filmmaking:
- Wedding filmmaking
- Documentary filmmaking
- Gimbal use
- Drone use
- Architectural work and landscapes
What does DG HSM mean?
According to Sigma, DG refers to the lenses that are designed specifically for full frame DSLR cameras. Sigma claims that their DG DN lenses are designed specifically and exclusively for full frame mirrorless cameras.
So while the DG HSM will work with a full frame mirrorless camera, but, according to Sigma, a DG DN lens will communicate better with the camera than the DG HSM lens.
HSM refers to their ring-type hypersonic autofocus motor in that lens.
Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM vs Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM
| Lens | Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM | Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM |
| Filter Thread | NA | NA |
| Size | 108mm x 132 mm | 102.0mm × 131.5mm |
| Weight | 1,180g | 1,150g |
| Closest Focusing Distance | 0.91ft/0.28m | 0.78ft/0.24m* |
| Max. Aperture | f/4 | f/4 |
| Min. Aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Aperture Blades | 9 blades | 9 blades |
| Angle of View (Diagonal) | 126° 5′ – 84° | 122.0° – 84.1° |
| Price | $2,999 | $1,599 |
Sigma is a third party lens manufacturer, so this is not an apples to apples comparison. Native lenses will always have an edge over third party lens manufacturers, when it comes to the communication with the camera system. While being a third party lens manufacturer, Sigma has become a tough competitor to many major lens manufacturers.
Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM is slightly lighter and smaller than the Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM (Amazon, B&H). The only stark difference is in the pricing. Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM is almost half the price of the Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM.
Here is the resolution comparison:
The Sigma 12-24mm f/4 Art is better when referring to corner to corner performance. Sigma 12-24mm f/4 has a much more gradual falloff than the Canon EF 11-24mm f/4.
For me, Sigma wins.
Features
Coverage
The Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM (Amazon, B&H) is a full frame lens. It is designed to completely cover a sensor the size of 36mm x 24mm.
If you are considering this lens for an APS-C sensor or other cinema camera, check out this article:
Focal Length
The minimum focal length is 12mm. This is considered ultra wide on a full frame 35mm sensor.
The maximum focal length is 24mm. This is considered wide on a full frame 35mm sensor.
This focal range is very useful for long shots and wide shots.
Aperture
The maximum aperture is f/4 and the minimum aperture is f/22.
Having f/4 is workable for low light. You cannot expect to do some astrophotography with this lens. You will not get the smooth, creamy out of focus background at such a small aperture.
The Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM (Amazon, B&H) has 9 circular diaphragm blades. One expects a smooth bokeh but it’s not always a given. To know more about bokeh:
Resolution
From Sigma’s official MTF charts:
The Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM (Amazon, B&H) is sharp enough in the center and manages to keep it fairly consistent towards the edges.
This is fantastic performance for a 12-24mm. It’s ground-breaking in many ways. Getting anything at 12mm is hard!
With the variance in the Sagittal and Tangential lines, you can infer (somewhat) that the bokeh won’t be as smooth as the best prime lenses on the planet.
If you really want this lens at its sharpest you’re better off stopping down to f/5.6 or even f/8 for best results.
If you are curious and want to read the MTF chart for yourself. Here’s a guide on how to read them easily.
Close Focus
The closest focusing distance is 0.24 meters or 0.78 feet. That’s nice for this focal length because you can use it for close ups as well as wide shots.
Image Stabilization
The Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM (Amazon, B&H) lens doesn’t have OSS. Using it with the Sony Alpha 1 or the a7S III with an adapter can provide it with some image stabilization.
Is it Parfocal?
The Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM (Amazon, B&H) is not a parfocal lens. To know what a parfocal lens is, check this out:
Control
Manual focus system
The Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM (Amazon, B&H) has an infinite turn ring for its focus ring and can turn infinitely one way or the other. Unfortunately the 12-24mm f/4 G does not have Linear Manual focus or fly by wire focus set by default.
What is the meaning of focus by wire and fly by wire?
Focus by wire: Let’s say you turn the focus ring to change focus from point A to B. You’d expect the focus to shift accordingly. When you stop point B will be in focus. Now bring the focus point back to A and try again, but at a different speed. Slower or faster, doesn’t matter. Now, even if you precisely rotate to the exact same degree, the focus will not be on point B! The speed of rotation determines which point it is focused on. That’s just completely useless for follow focus work. If an actor or person moves at a different speed, evens lightly, you’ll never get the same focus. Avoid focus by wire lenses like the plague (for video work).
Fly by wire: The distance of focus shifted is directly proportional to the speed at which the ring is turned. This is how a manual focus ring is supposed to operate for video and cinematography.
This decision to exclude Linear MF in this lens by Sigma does not make it a preferred lens for videographers and cinematographers.
Autofocus system
Sigma’s autofocus is improving day by day, but it is nowhere near the precision and reliability of Canon or Sony’s autofocus system. Keep in mind, that Sigma is a third party lens manufacturer, i.e. they do not make native lenses. Native lenses, such as Sony’s FE series and Canon’s EF and RF series, have always been better than third party lenses at communicating with their respective cameras.
I do not think anyone will purchase a Sigma lens for its autofocus performance.
Zoom Ring
The zoom ring allows you to manually change the focal length from 12mm to 24mm and anywhere in between.
There is no zoom lock, unfortunately. The lens extends by over two inches when zoomed in.
Basics
Filter Thread
The Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM (Amazon, B&H) is not compatible with any filters due to its protruding front lens element.
Build Quality
The majority of the lens exterior is plastic, though the lens doesn’t feel cheap.
The optical design consists of 16 elements in 11 groups, including SLD glasses, FLD glasses and aspherical lenses.
Size and Weight
The Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 102.0mm and a length of 131.5mm. It weighs around 1,150 grams. It is pretty hefty but it is okay considering the class and lens construction.
Weather resistance
Sigma claims that all their Art lenses are weather resistant. But again this only holds true if the camera body you will be using is also weather sealed. No camera is truly and officially weather sealed, so the best you can hope for is reliable weather resistance. Sigma claims to coat their lenses with dust and moisture repellent.
This is an Art series lens and we can expect it to perform as such.
What’s in the box
This is what you get in the box (other than the lens):
- Cover Lens Cap LC1020-01
- Case
The hood is integrated into the lens to protect the protruding frontal element. It might be useful for photography, but the shape and design makes it mostly vestigial for video work. It does take the impact and shatters when dropped, and protects the lens, but you’ll need a matte box for serious video work to avoid flare.
Alternatives to the Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM Lens
The Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM (Amazon, B&H) is a great wide angle lens. Their only alternatives are:
- Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 Art (Amazon, B&H) – Same aperture, more blades, cheaper.
- Recommended: Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) – Expensive, heavier, bigger aperture with more blades.
- Canon EF 11-24mm f/2.8L USM – Expensive, a bit wider field of view.
I hope you found this overview of the Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.
