It’s that time once again–the air’s getting crisper, and the holiday festivities are in full swing. It’s also the time of year prime for making memories. And helping you, dear reader, capture those memories is what we do best. With a combination of some brand-new lenses and some old favorites returning for new systems, 2023 saw SIGMA releasing a total of 12 unique lenses!
From a 10x telephoto to the new widest, brightest lens in our lineup, and even the addition of our very first lenses for Nikon Z mount, 2023 was massive. So, grab a cup of cocoa and your favorite camera system, because we’ve got something new for just about everyone.
January 12, 2023
60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports
With the release of the popular 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports lens in 2021, it was only a matter of time before the “BIGMA” saw its return to the mirrorless DG DN line for Sony E and L-Mount. Sporting a one-of-a-kind 10x zoom magnification, the 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports offers monstrous versatility in a hand-holdable package.
With 6-7 stops of optical stabilization, and a multi-material dust and splash-resistant structure, this is the ultimate lens for adventure and event photography — from airshows to stadium events. Take a look at SIGMA Ambassador and aviation photography expert Jim Koepnick’s experience with the lens, as well as some insight from our other outdoor specialist Ambassadors, Martina Abreu and Liam Doran.
February 7, 2023
50mm F1.4 DG DN | Art
Some say no lens kit is complete without a nifty fifty to round things out. And with our updated DG DN design made exclusively for mirrorless Sony E-mount and L-Mount, our 50mm F1.4 DG DN | Art lens is lighter and sharper than ever, making it the perfect choice to slip into every camera bag. Offering a focal length that nearly matches the perspective of the human eye, it’s the most versatile and easy-to-shoot prime lens out there.
This is the type of lens that you can use in just about every situation, sporting a de-clickable aperture ring suitable for still and video while maintaining unbelievable image quality across the entire frame. SIGMA Ambassador Heather Larkin took this lens for a spin to show off its versatility in a wide range of shooting scenarios, while Ambassador Anabel DFlux took the lens across the pond to flex it from the concert pits of Europe.
April 3, 2023
23mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary, 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary, 50mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary
There’s a lot one could say about the heralded 23mm focal length for APS-C cameras, but where does one even begin? Well, consider the 23mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary. 35mm is considered “classic” for a reason. Harkening all the way back to the film days, it’s the perfect wide angle to capture every detail you could want in your storytelling. Yet, with a 1.4 aperture, you’ll be in prime position to shoot with a beautifully shallow depth of field.
And speaking of wide, we can’t forget about the 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary as one of two new additions to SIGMA’s I Series collection. Alongside the 50mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary — the second new addition to the I Series lineup — you have two perfect travel companions for your full-frame E mount and L mount system. Just ask SIGMA Cine representative Frank Ramirez, who took on New York City with this pocket-sized duo.
April 3, 2023
16mm / 30mm / 56mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary Lenses for Nikon Z mount
Perhaps one of the most exciting innovations to come out of 2023 for SIGMA was the introduction of our first three lenses for Nikon’s Z mount system: the 16mm, 30mm, and 56mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary lenses. These crop-sensor lenses are still fully compatible with full-frame Z mount cameras, covering enough of the sensor area to yield full 4K video, which can be a huge advantage when light weight and compact size is a key factor. And with a bright 1.4 aperture, you’ll still get beautifully crisp images even in low light.
Having now launched for a total of five different camera systems, if you’re looking to upgrade from a kit lens, these are the perfect first lenses for your collection. At price points that are exceptionally affordable for F1.4 prime lenses, you’ll be well-equipped for all major shooting situations with the wide 24mm full-frame equivalent, the standard 45mm equivalent, and the portrait-ready 84mm equivalent.
June 8, 2023
14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art
This year SIGMA not only broke ground with their telephoto zooms, but on the other side of the lens design spectrum, with the world’s first 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art lens. With a manual focus lock and the lens heater retainer found on last year’s 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art, the 14mm F1.4 DG DN | A is specifically designed to be the ultimate astro lens for mirrorless systems.
But don’t let the niche bells and whistles fool you — even if the unique locking front cap with two filter storage slots is the coolest part of the whole lens — this lens also makes for a phenomenal landscape and architectural option. Vaulted church ceilings are no match for the unrivaled angle/aperture combination this lens offers… just ask pro photographer Darren White! With so much detail packed into this lens, it’s easily one of our brightest stars of the year.
August 31, 2023
100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Contemporary and 23mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary for Fujifilm X Mount
Since the beginning of last year, SIGMA has slowly but surely been fleshing out its X Mount lens options. The aforementioned 23mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary lens took a bit longer to release for Fujifilm users, but the 35mm-equivalent and street photography favorite came around just in time to be released with another SIGMA Contemporary line favorite now available for X Mount — the 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Contemporary.
The 100-400mm DG DN for X Mount is exactly the same as anyone might remember it for full-frame E-mount and L-Mount. However, this version of the lens was designed specifically for APS-C sensors, which means Fujifilm users are getting a 1.5x crop that puts this lens in a compact and affordable 150-600mm full-frame equivalent range. With in-lens optical stabilization, X Mount system shooters won’t need to sacrifice the maneuverability of their compact Fujifilm cameras while maintaining focus at far ranges. But for those who do want to make use of a tripod, the optional TS-111 Tripod Socket can still be attached for maximum stability.
October 5, 2023
10-18mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary
The crop sensor love didn’t stop with the release of the 23mm for X Mount, oh no. Just in time for scenic cold-weather landscapes, the 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary lens is here for Sony E-mount, L-Mount, and, yes, even X Mount. Meant to serve as a wide-angle companion to the 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary, the 10-18mm is designed for all wide-angle situations, whether shooting still or video! Designed to minimize focus breathing, the 10-18mm is perfect for the streamer or vlogger, with a 4.6 inch (11.6cm) minimum focusing distance for up-close shooting.
In an effort to create the most compact wide-angle lens possible, SIGMA also implemented a brand new “push-on” petal hood, that attaches with a push-and-click, and detaches with the slightest twist. Its unique design may take some getting used to, but helps on saving every possible millimeter of space, granting this lens the title of the world’s smallest and lightest ultra-wide-angle zoom for APS-C sensors.
November 16, 2023
70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS | Sports
Presenting, in all its glory, the 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS | Sports! We will be the first to admit, it took a while to deliver this lens. However, not without reason, as SIGMA sought to deliver a product that would hold its own beside the celebrated 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN | Art and 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN OS | Art.
Some folks have been curious as to why the 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS | Sports isn’t a part of the Art line of lenses. Does that mean it lacks the optical sharpness that the SIGMA Art line is known for? I’m here to tell you that, no, it does not. In fact, the 70-200mm DG DN Sports isn’t an Art lens because, though it maintains the same sharpness, clarity and performance to be expected of the SIGMA Art line, the 70-200mm DG DN comes stocked with features specific to the SIGMA Sports line.
Boasting a dust and splash-resistant structure, this lens also features internal zoom functionality. This means that all focal length changes happen inside the lens body, so that the lens is sealed tight from all outside dust and moisture. And on top of coming stocked with the latest OS2 Optical Stabilization technology, action photographers will love the dual HLA focus system that will help make sure you never miss a shot!
Looking forward to an exciting 2024
2023 was a packed year for SIGMA releases. While we still face some challenges in an ever-changing marketplace, our goal is to provide the best products to as many photographers and video creators as we possibly can, and show that there’s plenty of room for innovation. So what’s coming next?
The answer, of course, is… we’ll just have to wait and see! There will be SIGMA products you expect and want. There will be products you never saw coming. There will be advances in technology, new features that make photography and video work easier, and quality-of-life innovations that you’ve never even considered. One thing is for sure, we’ll do our best to make SIGMA your favorite photography gear maker, no matter what you love to create.
A big thank you to all fellow SIGMA-heads, and best wishes for 2024!
