New Sigma 12mm F1.4 DC | Contemporary is Company’s Smallest & Lightest

The new Sigma 12mm F1.4 for APS-C format mirrorless cameras delivers an ultra-wide 12mm field of view, which Sigma claims is the widest angle of view of any F1.4 lens designed for APS-C cameras.

The new Sigma 12mm F1.4 is the smallest and lightest of Sigma’s five DC Contemporary prime lenses to date, weighing in at only 7.9 ounces, 225 grams. Available in Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X Mount, and Canon RF Mount, it features an ultra-wide angle of view of f 12 mm (equivalent to 18mm in 35 mm format), which makes it an ideal fit for several different shooting scenarios; everything from landscape and night sky photography to vlogging where it’s necessary to record yourself and your surroundings at the same time.

The large F1.4 aperture will help provide excellent performance in low light conditions. In fact, Sigma says that this lens features the widest angle of view of any F1.4 lens designed for APS-C cameras, and offers exceptional optical performance across the entire frame, even wide open.

It comprises three double-sided aspherical lenses (which help keep its size and weight down), and two SLD glass elements, ensuring that sagittal coma flare is well-corrected, which will help make for some crisp star fields.

Video Capabilities

Its video capabilities are very much to the fore too, with minimal focus breathing, a manual aperture ring (control ring on Canon RF Mount), and smooth, responsive autofocus via a stepping motor that enables precise control, making it a decent choice for tracking moving subjects. Focus breathing is suppressed, minimizing changes in the angle of view caused by focus shift and enabling smooth, natural-looking focus pulls when recording video.

It’s compact as well, with a maximum diameter x length of 68.0mm x 69.4mm / 2.7in. x 2.7in. That size makes it perfect for handheld or gimbal use. It’s sturdy too; the lens features a dust and splash-resistant structure, plus a water and oil-repellant coating on the front element, to ensure high performance in virtually any conditions.

Sigma now has a full lineup of F1.4 lenses across key focal lengths―16mm, 23mm 30mm, and 56mm and now 12mm.

Pricing and Availability

The Sigma 12mm F1.4 DC | Contemporary lens will be available in early September for a retail price of $629.

Key Specs

(Below figures are for Sony E-mount.)

Lens construction: 14 elements in 12 groups (2 SLD, 3 aspherical elements)
Angle of View: 99.6°
Number of Diaphragm Blades: 9 (Rounded Diaphragm)
Minimum Aperture: F16
Minimum Focusing Distance: 17.2cm / 6.8in.
Maximum Magnification Ratio: 1:8.4
Filter Size: 62mm
Maximum Diameter x Length: 68.0mm x 69.4mm / 2.7in. x 2.7in.
Weight: 225g / 7.9oz.