Sigma Announces ‘World’s Smallest’ 18-50mm f/2.8 Zoom
Sigma has announced a new super-compact zoom lens designed for ASP-C mirrorless cameras, available in both E and L mount. The 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary lens is reportedly the “most compact and lightest f/2.8 zoom lens on the market.”
Sigma says that the lens is designed with a wide range of photo and video applications in mind, from landscape and portraits to “macro-style close-up photography”. It has a 12.1cm minimum focusing distance and 1:2.8 max magnification.
The lens has a full-frame focal length equivalent to 27-75mm and “is the smallest and lightest” lens with a f/2.8 constant aperture. It is an autofocus capable zoom lens, measuring just 74.5mm in length, with a diameter of 65.4mm and only 290 grams in weight.
The new 18-50mm lens construction is made up of 13 elements in 10 groups, three aspherical elements and one SLD element. Sigma claims that the lens construction is designed to produce “superb optical quality without excessive weight”. The lens also features a seven-bladed round aperture for a smooth and clean bokeh.
It should be noted, however, that the new lens relies heavily on in-camera aberration reduction to minimise vignetting and distortion so results in correcting these issues may vary.
The lens has “fast, reliable and extremely quiet autofocus performance” thanks to its use of a “lens stepping motor,” making it an ideal lens to shoot video of fast-moving subjects like children and wildlife.
The SIGMA 18-50 f/2.8 DC DM Contemporary Lens is currently available for pre-order from most high street retailers for £429 UK and $549 US with the first units shipping at the end of October 2021.
