Ask any seasoned photographer for reliable lens recommendations, and one of the answers will most likely be a Sigma. A top-of-mind lens brand among newbies and pros, Sigma has been manufacturing high-quality lenses for a variety of photography needs since 1961.
Currently, this third-party lens maker offers three product lines: Art, Contemporary, and Sport. Sigma art lenses emphasize optical performance, while Sigma contemporary lenses combine optical performance with portability. Sigma sports lenses are geared towards action photography.
Sigma camera lenses excel at certain types of photography, so it’s important to know which ones fit your shooting needs best. In case you’re looking for the best one, we have compiled our Sigma lens recommendations below according to purpose:
The Best Wide-Angle Lens
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM
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One of the lenses in the Sigma Art line, the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 is ideal for studio, landscape, architectural, and underwater photography. Its “F” low dispersion (FLD) and Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements eliminate color aberration, resulting in photos with true-to-life colors. Also, you’ll achieve sharp and detailed images down to the tightest corners of your subject.
This Sigma lens for Canon DSLR cameras has an aperture value of f1.4 that, when combined with the right camera, allows you to take stunning wide-angle photos that are free of dullness and distortion. It also has a rounded diaphragm to help you achieve that eye-catching blur effect.
Features that make the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 ideal for wide-angle photography:
- High-tech inner focusing system that reduces astigmatic and spherical aberration for clear and detailed close-up photos
- Specialized super multi-layer lens coating for minimizing ghosting and lens flare
- Built-in hyper sonic motor for fast and virtually noise-free autofocus
- Durable brass bayonet mount that adds accuracy and durability for long-term use
- Easy to use
The Best All-Around Lens
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM
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When it comes to versatility, the Sigma 50mm f1.4 DG HSM Art lens is an unparalleled choice among pro photographers who shoot with a Canon EOS camera. It’s great for just about everything—still life, studio, landscapes, and portraits—thanks to its optimized SLD glass that enhances aperture performance.
This general-purpose Sigma lens also features an optimized autofocus algorithm and a floating focusing system that allow you to focus better and minimize shake.
Features that make the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ideal for still-life, studio, landscape, and portrait photography:
- Patented Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) system for noiseless, high-speed autofocus
- Super multi-layer coating for eliminating flare and ghosting
- Built-in patented Sigma Optimization Pro software updates lens firmware and adjust parameters for optimum performance
- Exceptional image quality
- MTF A1-tested
The Best Lens for High-Contrast Shooting
Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM
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Made for Nikon DSLR cameras with APS-C sized sensors, the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 is a wide-angle to normal-length zoom lens with a consistently fast f/1.8 maximum aperture. This lens has a 35mm-equivalent focal length range of 27-52.5mm.
It’s constructed with a Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass and one aspherical element that helps produce clear and vibrant images. This lens also reduces distortion and aberrations throughout the zoom range for consistent image quality.
Features that make the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 lens ideal for high-contrast photography:
- Special multi-layer coating that minimizes lens flare, surface reflections, and ghosting for maximum contrast and color fidelity
- Thermally Stable Composite material for protection against environmental conditions and temperature changes
- Exclusive internal focusing and zooming mechanism for consistent overall length when shooting subjects at varying distances
- Non-rotating front ring that allows using circular polarizing filters more effectively when shooting in harsh lighting situations
The Best Lens for Wildlife and Bird Photography
Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3 DG OS HSM
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Lightweight and portable, the Sigma 150-60mm f5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary lens is a variable aperture hyper-telephoto zoom lens that features an Optical Stabilizer with an accelerometer for improved vertical and horizontal panning.
This Sigma lens for Nikon DSLR cameras also has a zoom lock switch and a manual override switch that allow you to control the focus of your camera. It also allows you access to the Sigma USB dock to get automatic firmware updates and adjustments.
Features that make the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 ideal for wildlife and bird photography:
- Optical stabilizer with accelerometer that, combined with the lens’ hyper-telephoto zoom qualities, allow you to pan from all directions for easy photographing of animals from afar
- Zoom lock and manual override switch for controlling focus on your subject
- Sigma USB dock capability that allows you to receive firmware updates automatically
- Water and oil repellent coating on front glass element
- Dust proof and splash proof mount
The Best Lens for Indoor Photography
Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM
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Known for its state-of-the-art optical construction and sturdy body, the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens for Canon DSLR cameras is tough to beat. It has four special low dispersion elements, three “F” low dispersion elements, and a pair of aspherical elements that minimize chromatic aberrations and distortions.
This Sigma lens also gives off consistent peripheral brightness and sharpness even at the maximum aperture. It also has a super multi coating that aids in reducing flare for high-contrast photos with precise colors.
Features that make the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 ideal for indoor photography:
- Fast f/1.4 maximum aperture that handles low-light conditions effectively and gives you maximum control over the focus position when using shallow depth of field techniques
- High-performance Hyper Sonic Motor for a virtually noise-free autofocus performance
- Enables full-time manual focus override through a simple rotation of the focus ring
- Nine rounded diaphragm blades for beautiful bokeh
- Optional Sigma USB Dock for maximum control over focusing parameters and certain lens features
- Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) material that allows the lens to withstand any temperature or weather
The Best Lens for Portrait Photography
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM
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Ideal for portrait photography, the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens for Canon EOS cameras comes with a large f/1.4 aperture that allows you to take photos with a shallow depth of field and pleasing bokeh. It also uses an anomalous partial dispersion/high-refractive index element, two SLD elements, and one aspherical element. This Sigma Art lens also has a super multi-layer coating that prevents flare and ghosting.
Features that make the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 ideal for portrait photography:
- Has the right combination of elements that reduce aberrations and prevent ghosting
- Hyper Sonic Auto Focus motor for fast and precise focusing
- Big focusing ring that allows manual focus override for more control
- Rounded 9-blade diaphragm for producing smooth bokeh
- Thermally-stable composite material for maximum durability and resistance against changing temperatures and weather
- Compatible with Sigma’s USB Dock
The Best Lens for Shooting Landscapes
Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM
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The Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 autofocus zoom lens for Sony Alpha and Maxxum cameras allows adequate light to pass through with its f/3.5 maximum aperture, delivering consistently bright images throughout the zoom range for exceptional landscape photos.
In addition, this Sigma lens has a 102.4-63.8° wide-angle viewing range, so you can create those shots with broad perspectives.
Features that make the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 ideal for landscape photography:
- Super Multi-Layer coating and special inner focusing system for eliminating flare and ghosting
- HSM autofocus motor plus manual override for fast and silent operation
- Minimum focusing distance of 9.4”
- Maximum magnification ratio of 1:6.6
- One SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass and two ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glass elements for maximum color fidelity
The Best Lens for Sports Photography
Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM
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The Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 telephoto lens for Nikon DSLR cameras is a great choice for sports photography with its 300mm maximum zoom capacity and f/2.8 aperture. Since it combines the distance capacity of a zoom lens and the amount of light that an f/2.8 allows, you can bring just this one lens to your sports coverage.
Although it comes from Sigma’s official Sports line, this telephoto lens can also be used for bird photography that requires capturing those creatures in action at a distance.
Features that make the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 ideal for sports photography:
- Patented OS System that allows the use of shutter speeds approximately 4 stops slower than the norm, making this lens perfect for handheld shooting when covering sports events
- Dustproof and splashproof to withstand any sports setting
- SIGMA Optimization Pro software that allows a variety of customization
- Built-in inner focusing and zooming for maximum usability
- Compatible with a circular polarizer, which enables use during bright lighting situations
- Combination of one SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass element and two FLD (“F” Low Dispersion) glass elements for reducing blur in peripheral areas and ensuring excellent image quality
The Best Lens for Close-Up Photography
Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM
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A 10x high zoom ratio ultra telephoto zoom lens, the Sigma APO 50-500mm f4.5-6.3 is great for close-up photography with a Pentax camera. Combined with Sigma’s patented optical stabilizer function, this lens allows you to take consistently sharp photos regardless of focal length.
This Sigma lens for Pentax SLR cameras has a built-in OS function that allows you to easily check for camera shake in the viewfinder to ensure that the photos will come out clear and sharp. This function also allows you to use the shutter speed 4 stops slower than the standard, so you can take beautiful shots even without having to use a tripod.
Features that make the Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 ideal for close-up photography:
- Maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.1 at the focal length of 200 mm for sharp and detailed close-up photos
- 50mm to 500mm ultra telephoto range that makes it easy to get as close as possible to your subject
- Four SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements for outstanding correction of color aberration
- Super Multi-Layer coating for eliminating flare and ghosting and ensuring excellent image quality regardless of the subject’s distance from the photographer
- Petal-type hood for blocking out excess light
The Best Lens for Outdoor Shooting
Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG APO IF HSM
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An extreme telephoto zoom lens, the Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 for Nikon AF-D cameras has all the necessary features for nature or outdoor and sports photography. It has two ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glass elements that correct chromatic aberration and provide exceptional optical performance. This Sigma camera lens has an f/5.6 maximum aperture that is constant across all focal lengths.
Features that make Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 ideal for outdoor photography:
- Improved DG lens design for eliminating chromatic aberrations
- Special lens coating for preventing ghosting and producing images with the right color balance
- Can be converted into either a 420-1120mm f/8 or 600-1600mm f/11 ultra telezoom lens for a further scope, making this lens perfect for photographing mountains and sunsets from afar
- Fast and silent hypersonic motor and a manual focus override for better usability
