Sigma 20mm f1.4 dg dn art review

Does the 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art shine?

Mt. Saint Helens, seen here just at the tail end of blue hour, along with a great deal of foreground thanks to the wide angle of view of the 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art.

After four International Dark Sky Parks, seven National Parks, miles of hiking in the dark, and enough coffee to weigh it in pounds, I already can’t wait until I can head back out under the stars with the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art. This is one of those rare items that I look for to improve a step of my process. I found myself picking this lens to shoot with night after night, and I don’t expect that to change. The 20mm focal length allows you capture the perfect amount of landscape for it to feel close, while covering enough of the night sky to still have it feel as grand and magnificent as it does while we stand there looking up in awe. With the Milky Way in frame, you can expect exceptional detail throughout the core.

A spectacular, ultra-sharp vista at Death Valley National Park, made possible by the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art.

From its astrophotography focused feature set to outstanding optical quality, even in the most challenging conditions, this lens is undoubtedly going to make its mark in the astrophotography world.

Learn more about the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art

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Image Quality

The Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG DN Art uses 17 elements in 15 groups, including two SLD and three aspherical elements. The Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG DN Art uses 17 elements in 14 groups, including two FLD, one SLD, and four aspherical elements. They both have Super Multi-Layer Coating like all current Sigma lenses and both also use Nano Porous Coating. Both of these coatings are to suppress flare and ghosting issues.

20mm at f/1624mm at f/16Shot with the 20mmShot with the 24mm

The image quality looks outstanding for both lenses when at their best, and still perfectly fine when some effects like lens flares crop up. The flaring becomes more noticeable the more the lenses are stopped down and, for the most part, it is tasteful and not too heavy. As far as color fringing — otherwise known as chromatic aberration — this, too, is well controlled for both, and I didn’t notice anything pop out at me when shooting with corrections turned on in the camera.

One thing that will be hard to miss is the vignetting when the lenses are shot wide open. It cleans up quickly as the lens is stopped down, but you will need to make some corrections needed in post if this is not the desired effect. Sigma shared a pre-launch profile correction with me and for both lenses, it wiped away the vignetting without further effort on my part. Once the lens begins shipping to customers, these automatic corrections should be made available in popular photo editing software.

Shot with the 20mm.Shot with the 24mm.Shot with the 24mm.

Taking a closer look at image sharpness, I saw that for the 20mm lens, it held together really well throughout the aperture range. At the center of the image, f/8 was perhaps the best, but it was hard to tell when everything looked good. There was a slight dip at f/16, the lens’ maximum aperture. At the corners, f/5.6 through f/8 looked sharpest.

Sharpness for the 24mm was a similar story, with f/8 looking overall the best at the center and f/8 being the best at the corners.

Shot with the 20mm.

Shot with the 24mm.

These lenses both feature an 11-bladed rounded aperture and the quality of bokeh they produce is wonderful. With such a wide-angle field of view and shallow depth of field, having these pleasing out-of-focus elements in the image really adds dimension to the scene.

SIGMA Announces 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art, the World’s First and Only 20mm F1.4 Lens Designed Exclusively for Mirrorless

Ronkonkoma, NY – August 8, 2022 – SIGMA Corporation of America, the US subsidiary of SIGMA Corporation (CEO: Kazuto Yamaki. Headquarters: Asao-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan) is pleased to announce the upcoming release of the 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art, a full-frame, wide-angle prime lens designed exclusively for mirrorless cameras. It is the first and only lens of this specification, joining its predecessor – the 20mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art – as the only 20mm F1.4 lenses available for full-frame platforms.With superb optical clarity from corner to corner, outstanding build quality with a dust and splash-resistant structure, and new details that consider the needs of discerning users, the new SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is optimized for astrophotography, while offering performance that makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality, wide-angle prime lens.In addition to its impressive imaging capabilities and premium Art line features, the 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art introduces a Manual Focus Lock, which allows the user to set focus manually and lock it in place, especially useful for time-lapse shooting or long exposures. A new Lens Heater Retainer keeps this useful astrophotography weather accessory firmly in place while in use. A Rear Filter Holder provides an opportunity to use rear-mounted filters for various effects without causing distortion or vignetting. And a convenient front filter thread allows users to also utilize commonly available 82mm filters.

The 20mm F1.4 joins the new 24mm F1.4 DG DN and the existing 35mm and 85mm F1.4 DG DN primes designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras.The new SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art lens will be available for both Sony E-mount and L-Mount systems in the U.S. at SIGMA Authorized Dealers for a retail price of $899 in late August 2022.Learn more about the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art:https://www.sigmaphoto.com/20mm-f1-4-dg-dn-a

The F1.4 series represents the SIGMA Art line, which pursues the highest optical performance and rich expression. The full-frame SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is a mirrorless version of the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art; the one and only lens* with its unique specification of maximum aperture of 1.4 and an ultra-wide angle of 20mm. This lens offers overwhelming optical performance and unlimited potential for ultra wide-angle creativity at a compact physical size. The exceptional F1.4 brightness and the breathtaking sharpness across the entire image even at maximum aperture make this lens the ultimate choice for astrophotography. In nightly darkness and focused to infinity, the 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art captures stars in the sky as clear, precise pinpoints of light. State-of-the-art optical design and the large, high-precision double-sided aspheric glass front element made it possible to add a front filter thread without any compromises regarding optical performance or size. The addition of other invaluable features such as a rear filter holder and a variety of useful switches further increases the creative possibilities and easy usability of the lens. Its incredible sharpness and very bright aperture, coupled with the compact body and thoughtful features, make the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art the ultimate lens for astrophotography and an ideal companion for any photographically demanding situation.* As an AF interchangeable lens for mirrorless cameras that covers 35mm full-frame (as of August 2022, by SIGMA)

Focusing

Like the rest of Sigma’s Art lenses, the 20mm f/1.4 Art Lens AF is driven by Sigma’s HSM (Hypersonic Motor).
Autofocusing happens with decent speed and, even in a quiet environment, only some very light shuffling is heard during AF.
Focusing is internal and FTM (Full Time Manual) focusing is enabled (unless intentionally disabled using the Sigma Dock).

AF accuracy performance testing is always a high priority for me.
Exhausting AF scenarios is not realistic, but I’m not especially excited about the AF accuracy consistency this lens has delivered in the variety of scenarios I’ve subjected it to.
Performance has been reasonable, but not completely reliable.
The center point has been delivering better AF accuracy than some of the peripheral points I tested.
Interesting is that I’ve found that center focus point accuracy is best when the lens is focused to a slightly farther focus distance than the subject prior to autofocusing.

When focus distances are changed significantly, 20 Art lens subjects change size by only a small amount.
While this attribute is not unusual, photographers intending to use focus stacking techniques involving focus distance adjustment should be aware.
Videographers pulling focus are sometimes also concerned about this attribute.
When critical framing is necessary, focus should be fine-tuned while adjusting subject distance.

Sigma provides a small depth of field scale on this lens, though f/8 and f/16 are the only marks provided.

The 20 Art’s 1.59″ (40.4mm) manual focus ring is very nicely-sized, ideally positioned and, being raised just slightly from the barrel, is especially easy to find.
The focus ring is smooth, has no play and has ideal resistance.
The 101° of rotation seems ideal for precise manual focusing over the entire focus distance range.

The Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens focuses as close as 10.9″ (277mm) for a 0.14x MM (Maximum Magnification).
This spec is not the lowest in the comparison chart below, but … it is not far from the bottom.

Model	MFD	MM
Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM Lens	9.8″	(250mm)	0.14x
Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM Lens	9.8″	(250mm)	0.17x
Nikon 20mm f/1.8G AF-S Lens	7.9″	(201mm)	0.23x
Nikon 20mm f/2.8D AF Lens	10.2″	(259mm)	0.12x
Nikon 24mm f/1.4G AF-S Lens	9.8″	(250mm)	0.18x
Samyang 24mm f/1.4 US UMC Lens	9.8″	(250mm)
Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens	10.9″	(277mm)	0.14x
Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX DG Lens	7.9″	(200mm)
Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens	9.8″	(250mm)	0.19x
Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon T* ZE Lens	8.7″	(220mm)	0.15x

Few are going to be wowed by this lens’ close focusing capabilities.
Placing one or more extension tubes behind a lens is a common way to decrease MFD and increase MM.
With a 12mm ET behind it, the 20 Art focuses at a distance that falls somewhere inside the hood, making this option unusable.
Perhaps an extremely short extension tube may work, but … it needs to be significantly shorter than 12mm.

This lens is not compatible with Sigma teleconverters.

Focusing & Other Notes

Autofocus

Next up, let’s focus on focusing. I usually don’t dig super deep in autofocus, as most modern lenses perform quite well.

The Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM performed pretty much how I expected: quick, reliable, with minimal hunting issues. The focus is also whisper quiet thanks to the “hyper-sonic motor” (HSM).

Sony’s excellent AF assists work quite well, with EyeAF being pretty accurate and continuous AF (AF-C) nailing focus pretty consistently. Not quite on the same level as an OEM Sony lens, but definitely good enough.

Do note that if you’ve read any other reviews of this lens, you’ll find complaints about AF accuracy. I found that those mostly seem to be from Canon & Nikon shooters, so I assume that Sony’s superior AF system just avoids many of the issues that other systems struggle with (I didn’t have any major problems).

Overall, I’m quite satisfied with the AF on this lens. Again, not quite on the level of an actual Sony lens, but totally good enough.

Manual Focus

My fellow manual focus enthusiasts will be happy to know the MF experience is quite enjoyable.

First of all, there’s a physical AF/MF switch, which I always like having (I hate digging through menus).

The focus ring is absolutely gigantic, and has about a 100 degree focus throw. I find this to be quite a good sweet spot for quite yet precise focusing.

The lens plays well with Sony’s excellent focus assists such as peaking and magnifier. The distance scale works well but I rarely used it, as I usually just rely on peaking anyway.

So, while maybe not comparable to a dedicated manual lens, I really enjoyed the MF experience on the Sigma.

Filter Use

Next up, I want to make a quick mention about filters.

Due to the large curved front element, the Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM does not support filters.

This is a HUGE bummer for those looking to do landscape photography, as many situations demand filters (polarizers, ND, etc.).

I think this fact alone will likely drive potential buyers towards alternatives. Speaking of alternatives, I’ve gone through quite a few of them near the bottom of this post.

Reasons to Buy Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art Lens

Here we’ve included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.

PROs

Autofocus

Aperture Ring

Hood supplied

Full-time Manual Focusing

Very Fast Aperture

Covers Full-Frame Sensor

11 Diaphragm Blades for Smooth Bokeh

Minimum focus distance of 0.23m / 9.1 inch

Report a correction

Buy Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN A from or B&H PHOTO

CONs

No Weather Sealing

Lens Mount

Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN A is compatible with cameras that have a Sony E lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony E lenses are Sony A6700, Sony ZV-E1 and Sony A7R V.

Sony A6700 with the Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN A Lens

Sony ZV-E1 with the Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN A Lens

Sony A7R V with the Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN A Lens

Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN A is also available in Leica L mount.

Size, Weight and Filter Thread

Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN A has a maximum diameter of 88mm and total length of 111mm. It weighs 635g / 22.4 oz.

Below you can find a scaled side-by-side image of Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN A and Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G (Sony E mount) to get a better idea of how their sizes compare in real life. Check the detailed comparison of these two lenses here.

Comparison image of the Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN A and the Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Size and Weight

Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN A has a filter thread of 82mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN A:

Optical Image Stabilization

Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN A doesn’t have an optical image stabilization system so the only option to stabilize the image taken with this lens is to mount on a camera body with IBIS (sensor based In-body image stabilization).

Maximum Magnification Ratio

Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN A has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.16x and has a minimum focusing distance of 0.23m. 0.16x means that the max magnification ratio is very low and not suitable even for modest close-up shots.

Below are the 3 Wideangle Prime type Sony E mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:

Tamron 24mm F2.8 Di III OSD M1:2: 0.5x — (Compare)
Tamron 35mm F2.8 Di III OSD M1:2: 0.5x — (Compare)
Sigma 24mm F3.5 DG DN C: 0.5x — (Compare)

Optical Formula

Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN A’s optical formula consists of 17 elements in 15 groups . Following special elements are used in this design:

2 Super-Low Dispersion elements
3 aspherical elements
Super Multi-Layer coating
Water- and oil-resistant coating

Lens Hood

Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN A comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos. The model number of the hood is LH898-04.

Popular Comparisons of Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN A

Top Alternatives of Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN A Lens

	Coverage	Weight	Focusing
Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Compare	35mm FF	373 g / 0.82 lb	AF
Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM Compare	35mm FF	460 g / 1.01 lb	AF
Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN C Compare	APS-C / DX	265 g / 0.58 lb	AF
Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM Compare	35mm FF	445 g / 0.98 lb	AF
Sigma 28mm F1.4 DG HSM A Compare	35mm FF	925 g / 2.04 lb	AF
ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 Compare	35mm FF	394 g / 0.87 lb	MF
Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art Compare	35mm FF	520 g / 1.14 lb	AF
Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC Compare	35mm FF	497 g / 1.09 lb	MF

Sigma 20mm f1.4 DG DN Art Lens Autofocus:

As for focusing, the 20mm f1.4 DG DN Art uses a stepping motor to deliver fast and silent autofocus. Autofocus will also depend on the camera that is being used, and with that said, I didn’t have any issues here. The autofocus was quite quick and predictable. There was no drama here whatsoever.

Of course, speed isn’t the only feature we need for great autofocus. Accuracy is also important, especially when you consider this lens can produce a thin depth of field with its large maximum aperture. With that said, I’m happy to report that the 20mm f1.4 really scores high in this category as well. I tested this lens in many different environments and light settings; I felt the 20mm f1.4 really kept up with my shooting.

Also, it’s worth mentioning that the minimum focus distance of the 20mm f1.4 is 23cm (9.1 in.). While ultra wide angle lenses are not traditionally used for macro photography, the close focusing capabilities still make this lens more versatile, and can open you up to more creative opportunities. Plus, you can take more advantage of the f1.4 aperture, and produce photos with an even more shallower depth of field, since you can get very close to your subject.

Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Handling and Features

A large, heavy lens with a built on petal lens hood and a huge, bulbous front element is the first impression. The composite body is beautifully finished and the lens mount is a reassuringly solid piece of brass. The overall finish is excellent and all the controls operate smoothly and without any play whatsoever. The lens bayonet fits on smoothly, and for the purpose of this review it was tested on a Canon EOS 6D body. The viewfinder image is crisp and contrasty and shows no tendency to flare. Ultra-wides with such large front elements can be prone to flare and indeed the instruction leaflet warns that the design needs to be used carefully to avoid it. In the event, it proved to be that flare was not a problem, even with sun streaming straight at the lens.

The lens uses an HSM motor and focusing on the 6D was quiet, positive and without hesitation. The lens locks on every time. As there is no lens hood to remove we are always ready to shoot, just having to remove the large lens cap. The cap covers the front element efficiently, although it is made of quite thin material and could perhaps be just a little more substantial.

Construction is 15 elements in 11 groups, and includes 2 FLD (“F” Low Dispersion), 2 SLD (Special Low Dispersion) and 2 Aspherical elements. It is also compatible with the Sigma USB Dock, which can be used to fine tune the lens and update the firmware. The 9 bladed diaphragm gives a nicely rounded aperture, which should bode well for smooth bokeh.

There are few controls, just an AF/MF selector, the cut out window showing a distance scale and, helpfully, a depth of field scale. The markings on the barrel tell us the lens is Made in Japan and that it is designated as a DG optic, suitable for full frame cameras. In practice, the lens may well be used almost exclusively in AF mode as the depth of field is so great that finding that point of focus manually is more difficult.

Ultra-wide lenses do take a bit of thought in use. They really demand that we get in close, very close, and only then will we see the full potential of the steeper perspective that the close camera position gives. This brings its own problems, especially at this time of year when the sun is low and casts long shadows. We may end up with a self-portrait of our own shadow all too easily and I have left in an example of this in the images selected for the review. Ultimately, the only answer to this may be to clone out the offending shadow in Photoshop, unless we can change our position satisfactorily when making the shot.

The lens is available in Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts and is also compatible with the Mount Conversion Service, so if we make a change of system the lens can be converted to the new system of choice.

Conclusions

Wide-angle lenses are often on the large side, and it’s rare that you see one with an f/1.4 aperture. But the Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM Art is a special lens indeed. Not only does it capture a lot of light, it also manages to focus close, shoot images with excellent detail, and minimize barrel distortion. That’s quite a feat, and its size and weight are signs of just how much glass is required to do all of it. Dim corners and edges are an issue, but that’s a common among wide lenses, and one that software tools can make short work of. The 20mm is a phenomenal performer, and an easy pick as our Editors’ Choice.

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More from Sigma

Cons:

Disappointing coma performance
Lacks weather sealing of any kind
Curved front element precludes the use of traditional filters
Fixed lens hood means bulky lens cap
Largest and heaviest lens of class
Not as wide as other 20mm options
Heavy vignette

Gear Used:

Canon EOS 6D DSLR Camera (Body Only)Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM ARTAdobe Lightroom CC Software for Mac and Windows (Boxed Version)Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud 1-Year SubscriptionAlien Skin Exposure X (Use Code “dustinabbott” to get 10% anything and everything)

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Wide and Bright Prime With Art Series Credentials

Sigma splits its lenses into three lines: Art, Contemporary, and Sports. Art lenses, including the 20mm F1.4 DG DN, feature bright apertures and all-weather construction, while Contemporary lenses emphasize portability and affordability. Both lineups include wide primes. You won’t find any wide-angle lenses in Sigma’s Sports lineup, which is reserved for long telephotos with speedy focus motors.

Our Experts Have Tested 35 Products in the Lenses Category This Year

Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. See how we test.

(Credit: Jim Fisher)

The 20mm DG DN F1.4 Art is a hefty lens at about 4.5 by 3.5 inches (HD) and 1.4 pounds. It sports a big front element that takes 82mm threaded filters, though you can also use rear filters. It’s not huge by SLR standards—the Sigma 20mm DG HSM F1.4 Art for SLR cameras measures 5.1 by 3.6 inches, weighs 2.1 pounds, and requires an adapter to use with mirrorless cameras, for comparison.

(Credit: Jim Fisher)

We’re not surprised that the older lens for SLRs is bigger, as it’s much more complicated to make a bright, wide-angle lens when a mirror box eats up real estate between the sensor and the lens mount. Mirrorless cameras, on the other hand, generally allow optical engineers to design smaller lenses because the rear lens elements can sit mere millimeters away from the sensor plane. In practice, that leads to more compact options with the same angle of view and still-bright apertures, such as the Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G (3.3 by 2.9 inches, 13.2 ounces) and Sigma 20mm F2 DG DN Contemporary (2.9 by 2.8 inches, 13.1 ounces).

Similar Products

Despite those design improvements, the Sigma lens is still quite large because it covers a full-frame sensor, opens to F1.4, and is sharp from edge to edge. All of that requires some heavy glass inside the barrel. Sigma uses lightweight materials like polycarbonate and aluminum in its construction, but you can’t overcome the laws of physics. We don’t expect that most photographers really need an F1.4 lens at this angle of view. But if you like to find beauty in the darkest corners; make images of the night sky; or chase soft, defocused backgrounds, this is an ideal option.

(Credit: Jim Fisher)

Sony’s competing FE 20mm F1.8 G also features weather protection, and matches well with the company’s weather-protected full-frame camera bodies. The Sigma 20mm F2 DG DN Contemporary isn’t made for rainy skies, as it only includes sealing at the lens mount. The 20mm F1.4’s weather protection is a differentiating factor for L-Mount system owners, as it is the only fully sealed bright prime available—neither Leica nor Panasonic currently offer a 20mm or 21mm L-Mount prime.

Conclusions

Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM Art

4.5

Editors’ Choice

See It

$873.26 at Amazon

MSRP $899.00

Pros

Sharp from edge to edge.
Minimal distortion.
Short minimum focus distance.
Available for multiple systems.

Cons

Heavy.
Dim corners and edges.
No support for filters.

The Bottom Line

The Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM Art lens captures fantastic images from an ultra-wide angle perspective at an f/1.4 maximum aperture.

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First Nights Under the Stars

One of my first shots with the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art, close to home at Assateague State Park off the Maryland coast. Corner to corner, the stars are sharp as a tack.

On my first night with the 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art, I began the same way I test every new lens. I take a look at my maximum exposure time, set my ISO, and start taking test images at F2.8 and slowly work my way to wide open (F1.4 in this case). With each image, I take a moment to review and answer the question that every astrophotographer will be asking. How do the stars in the corners look?

Looking good at F2.8 should be pretty easy, and speaking honestly, expected for a prime lens with a max aperture of F1.4. And these images certainly did. As I opened the aperture further with each image, I finally found myself double checking that I was reviewing the right image. I was. Shot wide open, F1.4, the entire frame looked great with pin-point stars from the center all the way to the extreme corners. I remember smiling while looking at that last image and thinking, “this is going to be fun.”

A test shot of the Cherry Springs State Park observatory in Pennsylvania, photographed wide open at F1.4.
Upper right corner at F2Upper right corner at F1.4A zoomed in view of the upper right corner of the image, shot at wide apertures, shows virtually zero distortion or coma.

Sigma 20mm f1.4 dg dn art review

Does the 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art shine?

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Image Quality

SIGMA Announces 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art, the World’s First and Only 20mm F1.4 Lens Designed Exclusively for Mirrorless

Focusing