Ronkonkoma, NY—Sigma Corporation of America released the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary lens. For travel and day-to-day shooting, the new lens is a compact option for crop-sensor mirrorless camera users.
Moreover, Sigma says it is the smallest, lightest f/2.8 standard zoom for crop-sensor mirrorless cameras (as of October 2021). It measures less than 3 inches long and weighs a little more than 10 ounces. Consequently, its compact form factor matches the portability of APS-C mirrorless camera bodies.
“The lens’s exceptionally small and light form factor that weighs less than 300g makes it perfect as a first interchangeable lens,” the company noted, “as well as a sub-lens for full-frame bodies.”
Sigma’s first APS-C–size mirrorless zoom lens, it has a 27–75mm full-frame–equivalent zoom range. As a result, it is a solution for a range of photo and video applications. They include landscapes, portraits, street photography, architecture as well as events.
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary Specs
In addition, photographers can use the lens for macro-style close-up photography. It has a maximum magnification of 1:2.8 and a 4.8-inch minimum focusing distance. What’s more, its wide aperture of f/2.8 makes it easy to achieve blurry backgrounds and a shallow depth of field for shooting portraits and close-ups. The bright aperture also makes it a tool for handheld low-light shooting.
Furthermore, the lens provides fast and near-silent AF, because it uses a stepping motor as the AF actuator. As a result, it is an option for such photographic applications as shooting in quiet environments; recording videos; and capturing fast-moving subjects.
Since it is small and lightweight, photographers can also use it for handheld shooting; gimbal shooting; one-man–operation video shooting; as well as vlogging.
Built with 13 elements in 10 groups, the lens utilizes one SLD element and three high-precision glass-molded aspherical elements. Coupled with the minimization of the total number of elements, it yields optical quality without excessive weight. Moreover, in-camera aberration correction further eliminates optical imperfections such as distortion and vignetting.
To keep the lens as light as possible, Sigma constructed the body from carefully selected materials. A polycarbonate called Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) was used for the construction of the barrel. Importantly, TSC has a thermal conductivity close to that of aluminum. This ensures operability when used in changing temperatures. In addition, by using metal for some of the internal structure, the parts are much thinner and have a higher rigidity for heavy use.
Additional Features
Other features include an inner focus system; support for DMF and AF+MF; Sigma’s Super Multilayer coating to minimize flare and ghosting; a dust- and splash-resistant brass bayonet mount; and a 7-blade rounded diaphragm.
The new lens is also compatible with the optional Sigma USB dock UD-11 (L mount only). In addition, with “Made in Japan” craftsmanship, every lens undergoes Sigma’s proprietary MTF measuring system.
The Sigma 18–50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Contemporary lens comes with a petal-type hood, as well as front and rear caps. Available in L and E mounts, it has a suggested retail price of $549.
