Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary

Joshua Waller reviews this ultra-wideangle zoom lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras. At £750, it offers great value for money, but does it deliver the goods?

- Joshua Waller

The Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN is part of Sigma’s more-affordable ‘Contemporary’ line-up. Designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras, it provides a useful focal length range, going from ultra-wideangle to wideangle, whilst at the same time providing a bright, constant f/2.8 aperture. Used in APS-C mode or on an APS-C Sony camera, you get the equivalent of a 24-42mm zoom.

Features

This lens is notable in how relatively compact and lightweight it is, at 450g in weight and 100.6mm in length. It’s also priced at £750, which makes it incredible value for money. In comparison, Sony’s FE 16-35mm F2.8 G Master is priced at £2,299, weighs 680g, and is 121.6mm in length. Another alternative, the Sony FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G, costs £1,299.

The lens is also cheaper than the Tamron 17-28mm F/2.8 Di III RXD, which is priced at £899 while being slightly less wide. But the Tamron beats the Sigma in both weight (420g) and length (99mm), so is an option if that extra 30g is of importance to you.

As part of Sigma’s mirrorless DN range, the lens is designed to utilise the ‘advanced digital correction’ built into modern mirrorless cameras. This lets Sigma deliver a more compact design than would otherwise be possible.

The filter thread can be found at the front of the lens and accepts 72mm filters. A petal-shaped lens hood is provided in the box, and this reverses for storage. If you do use it reversed it will block the focus ring, but not the zoom ring.

Build and handling