The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art (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 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art 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;
- What does DG DN mean?
- Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM vs Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS vs Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art
- Features:
- Control:
- Basics:
- Alternatives to the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art
TLDR;
What you need to know for video work about the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art (Amazon, B&H):
- The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN is a great general purpose third party wide to medium telephoto lens.
- The f/2.8 aperture is great for low light work.
- It’s small and lightweight for its lens class and construction, making it a preferred lens for gimbal or drone work.
- 11 blade aperture for softer, better bokeh.
- The lens does not have OS, so you will get some stabilization if you use it with a camera with IBIS.
- It exhibits breathing.
Can be great for all types of filmmaking.
What does DG DN 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 Sigma claims that a DG DN lens will communicate better with the camera than the DG HSM lens.
If you observe the mounts available for the DG HSM zoom lenses, you will realize that Sigma has not made a DG HSM zoom lens for Sony’s E-mount but has made many DG HSM prime lenses for the same mount. This is an odd choice by Sigma.
Sigma has only made two lenses for the Sony E-Mount and has given them the DG DN moniker.
HSM refers to their ring-type hypersonic autofocus motor in that lens.
Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM vs Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS vs Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art
| Lens | Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM | Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS | Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art |
| Filter Thread | 82mm | 67mm | 82mm |
| Size | 87.6mm x 136mm | 73mm x 94.5mm | 87.8mm × 124.9mm |
| Weight | 886g | 426g | 830g |
| Closest focusing distance | 0.38m / 1.24ft | 0.4m / 1.32ft | 0.18-0.38m / 0.59-1.24ft |
| Max. Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/2.8 |
| Min. Aperture | f/22 | f/22 | f/22 |
| Image Stabilization | None | OSS | None |
| Aperture Blades | 9 blades | 7 blades | 11 blades |
| Angle of View (Diagonal) | 84°-34° | 84°-34° | 84°-34° |
| Price | $2,198 | $698 | $1,099 |
The Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) is the biggest and heaviest of them all.
The Vario-Tessar variant only opens up to f/4 and has 7 blades, theoretically, the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 Art should give you a better, creamier bokeh with its 11 blades aperture and an extra stop of light. On the other hand the Vario-Tessar version does have Optical SteadyShot in built. The Sigma also has a closer focusing distance, compared to the other two.
Here’s a resolution comparison:
The FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM has better performance than the Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4. Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 has a much quicker falloff than the rest.
For those who need f/2.8 and GM quality, there is no doubt which is the better lens. You get what you pay for. It is advisable to test at least the FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM and the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 Art before making a decision.
Features
Coverage
The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art (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 24mm. This is considered wide on a full frame 35mm sensor.
The maximum focal length is 70mm. This is considered medium telephoto on a full frame 35mm sensor.
This focal range is very useful for long shots and wide shots. It also provides you with the versatility to get up close to your subjects.
Aperture
The constant maximum aperture is f/2.8 and the minimum aperture is f/22.
Having f/2.8 is good enough for low light. Most people will use it at f/2.8 for the purpose of getting optimum sharpness, and to get soft out of focus backgrounds.
The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art (Amazon, B&H) has 11 circular diaphragm blades. One expects a smooth bokeh, considering the number of blades, but it’s not always a given. To know more about bokeh:
Resolution
From Sony’s official MTF charts:
The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art (Amazon, B&H) is sharp enough in the center and has a gradual falloff towards the end.
While at 70mm f/2.8 the performance is as good as, if not better, at 24mm f/2.8. Matching footage will not be a problem.
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/3.5 or f/4 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 0.18 meters or 0.59 feet at 24mm. The closest focusing distance is 0.38 meters or 1.24 feet at 70mm. That’s nice for this focal length because you can use it for close-ups as well as wide shots.
Image Stabilization
The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art (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 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art (Amazon, B&H) is not a parfocal lens, even though its performance is pretty close. To know what a parfocal lens is, check this out:
Control
Manual focus system
The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art (Amazon, B&H) has an infinite turn ring for its focus ring and can turn infinitely one way or the other. Unfortunately, the 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art 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 can turn away many professional 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 24mm to 70mm and anywhere in between. Being of telescopic design, the lens does extend at least a couple of inches at 70mm.
There is a zoom lock, which will prevent the lens from extending while traveling.
Basics
Filter Thread
The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art (Amazon, B&H) has a filter thread of 82mm. This is an uncommonly large filter diameter.
Build Quality
The majority of the lens exterior is plastic, though the lens doesn’t feel cheap.
The optical design consists of 19 elements in 15 groups, including FLD, SLD and aspherical lenses.
Size and Weight
The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 87.8mm and a length of 124.9mm. It weighs around 830 grams. It is somewhat of a bulky lens.
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):
- Petal Type Lens Hood (LH878-03)
- Case
The hood might be useful for photography, but the shape and design makes it mostly vestigial for video work. Some people like to put it on to protect the front element in case of a fall. The hood takes the impact and shatters, but saves the lens.
Alternatives to the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art Lens
The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art (Amazon, B&H) is a great wide to telephoto angle lens. The only alternative is:
- For E-Mount: Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) – Superior AF and GM quality. Expensive and heavier.
I hope you found this overview of the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.
