The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM 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 OS HSM 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 HSM mean?
- Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM vs Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art
- Features:
- Control:
- Basics:
- Alternatives to the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art
TLDR;
What you need to know for video work about the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art (Amazon, B&H):
- The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM 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.
- 9 blade aperture for softer, better bokeh.
- The lens does have OS, so you will get some stabilization with the lens itself.
- It exhibits breathing.
Can be great for all types of filmmaking.
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.
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 lens for the same mount. This is an odd choice by Sigma.
HSM refers to their ring-type hypersonic autofocus motor in that lens.
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM vs Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM
| Lens | Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM | Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM |
| Filter Thread | 82mm | 82mm |
| Size | 88.5mm x 113mm | 88mm × 107.6mm |
| Weight | 805g | 1,020g |
| Closest Focusing Distance | 1.25 ft/0.38m | 1.21ft/0.37m |
| Image stabilization | none | Yes, Optical Stabilization. |
| Max. Aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Min. Aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Aperture Blades | 9 blades | 9 blades |
| Angle of View (Diagonal) | 84° – 34° | 84° – 34° |
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.
The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) is the heavier of the two. So the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM (Amazon, B&H) would be the preferred lens out of the two for handheld and gimbal use.
The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art has in built optical stabilization. While it is nowhere near the industry leaders, it is still an advantage over the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM.
Here’s a resolution comparison:
Both the lenses are comparable, but the EF 24-70mm f/2.8 seems to have a very steep drop off. Whereas the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 seems to have a more gradual drop off.
It would be advisable to test both the lenses before making any decisions and see which look you like.
Features
Coverage
The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM 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 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 OS HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) has 9 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 OS HSM 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 0.38 meters or 1.24 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 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) lens does have OS. This is great news! But beware that Sigma does not have the best Optical Stabilization in the business. Using it with the Canon R5 or Canon R6 can provide it with some image stabilization. It has a switch on the lens body to switch it on or off.
Is it Parfocal?
The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art 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 OS HSM 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 OS HSM 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 no zoom lock, which could have prevent the lens from extending while traveling.
Basics
Filter Thread
The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM 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 14 groups, including SLD and aspherical lenses.
Size and Weight
The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 88mm and a length of 107.6mm. It weighs around 1,020 grams. It is 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 (LH876-04)
- 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 OS HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) is a great wide to telephoto angle lens. The two alternatives are:
- Alternative: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM (Amazon, B&H) – Same aperture, expensive, better autofocus but no OS, slightly lighter.
- For E-Mount: Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art (Amazon, B&H) – Smaller and lighter.
I hope you found this overview of the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.
