The Sigma 12-24 lens is the widest lens for full frame DSLR on the market. Sigma really broke the record with this lens. No other manufacturer has accomplished this feat.
Sigma made this lens for Sigma
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I love testing Sigma lenses simply because they are a company that is not afraid to test the limit. And I always get excited to test a one of a kind lens like this.
This lens is both compatible with full frame and cropped sensor DSLR. The 12mm focal length will still belong to the ultra wide category when used on the cropped sensor DSLR.
When I held the lens, I was simply amazed at the build quality. It is superb and much better than other Sigma lenses with the same EX designation.
How about the optical performance on this lens?
Let’s see it in the full Sigma 12-24 review below!
Specs • Performance • Sample Image • Conclusion • Where to Buy
Sigma 12-24 Specs
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Official Name:
Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG ASP HSM
Focal Length Markings:
12, 15, 17, 20, 24mm
Features:
EX – Excellent – Sigma’s designation for their high end lenses.
DG – Compatible with both full frame and cropped sensor DSLR camera.
ASP – Aspherical – Sigma lenses with this term is smaller in dimension.
HSM – HyperSonic Motor – Sigma’s smooth and fast autofocusing technology. Very similar to Canon’s USM. Lens with this designation can autofocus with Nikon’s entry level DSLR such as D40, D40x, D5000, D3000 and D3100.
Full Technical Specs (from Sigma’s website):
| Technical Specifications | |
| Groups / Elements | 12 / 16 |
| Angle of View | 122 – 84.1 |
| Number of Blade Diaphragm | 6 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 11in. (0.28m) |
| Filter Thread | n/a |
| Weight | 21.2oz. (600g) |
| Dimension (Diameter x Length) | 3.4 x 4.0in. (87.5 x 102.5mm) |
| Macro Magnification Ratio | 1:7.1 |
| Available for | Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax |
Optical Performance
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Sigma 12-24 Sharpness
Center sharpness is excellent on this lens at any focal length at any apertures.
Border sharpness has some mixed results though. At 12mm, it is a bit soft at any aperture.
At 18mm, it is only soft at f/5.6. And at 24mm, it is sharp at any aperture.
The optimal aperture on this lens is at f/8.
See the full sharpness test table below.
Sharpness Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Excellent
(4) Great
(3) Good
(2) Fair
(1) Poor
Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG ASP HSM Center Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/4.5 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 12mm | Great | Excellent | Excellent | Great |
| 18mm | n/a | Excellent | Excellent | Great |
| 24mm | n/a | Excellent | Excellent | Great |
Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG ASP HSM Border Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/4.5 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 12mm | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 18mm | n/a | Good | Great | Great |
| 24mm | n/a | Great | Great | Great |
Distortion
Surprisingly, distortion is very well controlled on this lens at any focal length.
There exist just a slight barrel distortion, but it is non field relevant.
See the full distortion test for each focal lengths below.
Vignetting
Vignetting is visible, especially on the first two apertures. At f/4.5 and f/5.6 it is visible at any focal length.
Stop down the maximum aperture of f/8 and it will be greatly reduced.
See the vignetting test results below for each focal length.
Chromatic Aberration
Unfortunately, chromatic aberration is not under well control on this lens. The chromatic aberration is visible and can be considered high at any aperture and focal lengths.
It is also very hard to correct in post processing.
You can see the full chromatic aberration test result below.
Chromatic Aberration Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Negligible
(4) Very Low
(3) Low
(2) High
(1) Very High
Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG ASP HSM Chromatic Aberration
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/4.5 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 12mm | High | Very High | High | High |
| 18mm | n/a | High | High | High |
| 24mm | n/a | Very Low | Low | Low |
Build Quality
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Materials
Just like the EX name implies, the build quality of this lens is “Excellent.”
This lens is probably the best built among other EX lenses out there.
Zoom Ring
Zoom ring is very smooth to operate. There is no zoom creep on this lens.
Focusing
The HSM autofocus is very fast, silent and accurate. Because this is an HSM lens, it will autofocus when used with entry level Nikon DSLR such as Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D5000, D5100, D3000 and D3100.
There is no filter thread on this lens so you cannot mount any filter.
Just like the zoom ring, focusing ring is very smooth to operate.
Image Stabilization
There is no Optical Stabilization built into the lens.
Compatibility
Being a DG lens, this lens is compatible with both full frame and cropped sensor DSLR camera.
Sample Image
Back to: Menu • Introduction
The following are some images taken with this lens. Click any of them to enlarge the image.
Get the best price online from Amazon: Sigma
Conclusion
Back to: Menu • Introduction
OK, now it is time to conclude this Sigma 12-24 lens review.
Being the manufacturer for the widest angle lens for full frame DSLR is not an easy task to accomplish. And Sigma did pretty decent with this lens.
In terms of sharpness, it is very sharp on the center at any focal length and aperture. Borders are a bit soft at 12mm and 18mm, but it is very good at 24mm.
To my surprise, this lens has an extremely well controlled distortion for a wide angle lens.
However, vignetting and chromatic aberration is not as well controlled as the distortion. They are both visible at any focal length and at any aperture.
Build quality is simply superb. This lens is the best built Sigma lens that I have tested so far.
The best part of this lens is the PRICE. Thankfully, Sigma is being generous with the price although this is a one of a kind lens.
Drawbacks
- Soft borders at 12mm and 18mm
- Visible vignetting at any focal length and aperture
- Chromatic aberration is high
Positives
- Excellent distortion control at every focal length
- Sharp on the center at every focal length and aperture
- Excellent build quality
- Superb build quality. The best EX lens that I have tested.
- Quick and accurate HSM autofocus
- Amazing value for money
Good For
- Landscape photography
- Indoor photography
- All around ultra wide angle lens for cropped sensor and full frame DSLR camera
Not So Good For
- Architectural photography
What Others Are Saying…
by “Michael Morgan”
There’s nothing else this wide for use on a full-frame 35mm camera or digital such as the Canon 5D. It’s so wide on a full-frame that you can almost see behind you (well not quite, but close to…
Click here to see the full review
by “Geoffrey Hamilton”
Sigma has been much maligned by the Nikon-brand lens snobs, and not without good reason. The build quality and optical clarity of the average Nikon lens easily trounces the average Sigma…
Click here to see the full review
Where to Buy
Support this site, buy the Sigma 12-24 lens from Amazon (best price online):
If the mount you’re looking for is not available on Amazon, check out B&H Photo (Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax) or Adorama (Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax)
To see the related Sigma wide angle lens review, check out the following post below.
Hope you’ve enjoyed my Sigma 12-24 lens review and I will catch you in the next review! Stay tuned!
The Sigma 12-24 lens is the widest lens for full frame DSLR on the market. Sigma really broke the record with this lens. No other manufacturer…
The Sigma 12-24 lens is the widest lens for full frame DSLR on the market. Sigma really broke the record with this lens. No other manufacturer…
| Lens Score | |
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| Optical Quality | |
| Build Quality | |
| Value for Money | |
| Overall | |
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