Lens Guides

First Look: SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary Lens

Zoom lenses are perhaps the most versatile tools a photographer can own, providing the flexibility to shoot at a range of focal lengths – all with different optical characteristics – without ever removing them from the camera. Of course, that flexibility usually comes with noticeable tradeoffs, and photographers are often left with lenses that are lacking in one area or another. But what if there was a versatile, compact, lightweight, full-frame lens with spectacular optical capability that was built to extremely high standards and didn’t break the bank? Good news! SIGMA just made one.

The latest full-frame zoom lens from SIGMA

The new SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary lens is the standard zoom lens that full-frame mirrorless shooters have been waiting for. Designed to meet the demands of professionals while offering compactness that gives it “everyday lens” status, this new 28-70mm lens will find a happy home on the front of many L-mount and Sony E-mount camera bodies.

The SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | C is a compact powerhouse mounted on the SIGMA fp.

What makes the SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | C stand out?

Let’s take a look at some of the features that make this new 28-70mm so appealing:

  • Compact and lightweight, perfect for everyday use and travel.
  • A fast maximum aperture of F2.8, providing consistent low-light capability from 28mm to 70mm.
  • SIGMA Art-level optical performance, with incredible sharpness throughout the focal range.
  • Gorgeous bokeh rendering that softly blurs the background and brings your subjects to life.
  • Dust and splash-proof mount with water and oil-repellent front lens coatings for worry-free use and maintenance.
  • Short focusing distance (magnification ratio of 1:3.3 at 28mm, 1:4.9 at 70mm) for close-ups of just about anything.
SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | C on Sony A7R IV. 30mm, 1/200s, F2.8, ISO 640. (photo by Meg Loeks)
SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | C on Sony A7R IV. 33mm, 1/160s, F2.8, ISO 1000. (photo by Meg Loeks)

SIGMA Ambassador Meg Loeks, a longtime professional family photographer and educator, normally works with prime (single focal length) lenses for their sharpness and unique character. However, she has recently found a place in her bag for the SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | C zoom lens:

“Moments are fleeting, especially with little children. I love that with a zoom lens I can quickly capture our everyday lives with ease. Very little movement on my end is required when I can easily change my focal length. I can simply be present with my children and document them as they are.”

– Meg Loeks
With an F2.8 maximum aperture from wide-angle to portrait length, the SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | C gives photographers the flexibility to shoot in challenging lighting conditions.

A Compact Lens That Fits Your Life

With all the glass elements and metal involved in their production, F2.8 zoom lenses usually end up being a bit on the hefty side, not to mention somewhat expensive.

This SIGMA 28-70mm, however, weighs a mere 16.5 ounces and is just 4 inches long, so not only does it fit in any camera bag, it’s the perfect lens to have attached to your full-frame mirrorless camera for everyday use. Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) construction makes it lightweight yet solid, making it a pleasure to hold and operate, even for extended shooting sessions.

This full-frame SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 is the smallest and lightest lens in its class.
The lens features a lightweight barrel, plus a solid brass mount with a weather-sealing gasket.

In addition to the compact size, this lens features a splash and dust-proof mount, a water and oil-repellent coating on the front element, a petal-shaped lens hood, and like all SIGMA lenses, a 4-year US warranty. It’s the kind of lens you can use every day and feel confident about for years to come.

Because I’m on the go a lot with my children, I need gear that’s small and light. I get that and so much more with this lens. Not only is it compact in size and lightweight, the quality of images I’m able to produce is incredible. I get the best of both worlds with this lens. It’s practical for everyday use and tack sharp.

– Meg Loeks
Practical and affordable, the SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | C is an everyday tool that delivers great results.

Image Quality That Rivals Art Line Lenses

SIGMA’s Contemporary line gives photographers more than just more affordable options. The line is designed to strike a balance of superb image quality and day-to-day usability. True to our mission, the SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | C finds that balance and delivers outstanding sharpness and renders beautifully soft, natural-looking backgrounds.

SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | C on Sony A7R IV.
70mm, 1/320s, F2.8, ISO 100. (photo by Meg Loeks)

SIGMA’s lens designers also paid extremely close attention to flare control, anti-ghosting, and autofocus performance, all of which benefit from our years of in-house engineering experience and “Made in Japan” quality control.

“One of the things I really appreciate about this lens is how sharp it is no matter the focal length or proximity to my children. Then there’s the dreamy bokeh I’m able to achieve, especially shooting wide open at 70mm. Whether I’m near or far, shooting wide open or in a low-light setting, this lens is able to quickly grab focus without fail every single time.”

– Meg Loeks

The Standard Zoom Lens That’s Anything But Standard

If our 24-70mm F2.8 Art lenses have shown us anything, a “standard” zoom lens is more than just a camera bag staple… it gives photographers the opportunity to capture fleeting moments and to express their art in virtually any situation. However, more and more photographers have also begun to value convenience and compactness, and that’s where the SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | C comes in.

Whether you shoot with our own SIGMA fp, a Sony E-mount camera, a Panasonic LUMIX S, or a Leica body, the SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | C is a lens that will help photographers achieve their creative vision day in and day out, thanks to its combination of exceptional performance and practical dimensions. The SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary lens will be available for E-mount and L-mount systems in March 2021. Pre-order yours at an Authorized SIGMA Dealer or learn more at sigmaphoto.com.

From the living room to the back yard, the SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary can capture virtually everything with ease.

Comments (5)
  1. Mike Edgar says:

    When will it be available for Nikon Z?

  2. Avatar photo Nick Vrona says:

    No word on Z mount development at the moment.

  3. Robert says:

    I’d love to have this for the Canon EF-M mount. Any chance? ????

  4. Avatar photo Nick Vrona says:

    It’s unlikely since these are designed for full-frame cameras, but there’s always a possibility.

  5. Greg T says:

    I’ve been looking for a lens just like this for my EF-M camera. Please consider supporting the EF-M mount!

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