Sigma Art 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art
A redesigned HLA autofocus motor and a 7% smaller, 10% lighter body than its predecessor make this a fast-handling f/2.8 standard zoom. Its 6.7-inch minimum focusing distance delivers a strong 1:2.7 magnification ratio, offering near-macro versatility uncommon in this class. This lens is best for hybrid shooters needing a single, weather-sealed tool that excels at both detailed close-ups and general landscape work.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 Art II is so sharp it's almost a problem for the competition. Buy it for the stunning optics and effective stabilization, but don't expect magical bokeh or flawless autofocus.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Class-leading center sharpness, even wide open 98th
- Effective 4-stop stabilization for rock-steady handheld shots 94th
- Much lighter and smaller than the previous version 93rd
- Aperture ring is a huge win for hybrid shooters 89th
Cons
- Bokeh is busy and a bit harsh, not a portrait lens
- Autofocus can be inconsistent in tricky light
- Still a heavy lens at over 1000g, you'll feel it after a long day
- No tripod collar included, and you'll want one for video work
What owners think
The Word on the Street
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
- Q4 202688/100
Buyers praise the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Art for sharp image quality, versatile range, and solid build. Autofocus is fast in good light but can hunt in low light.
- Image quality is sharp, cinematic, and professional-grade.
- Versatile 24-70mm range covers most shooting needs without lens swaps.
- Great value compared to Sony GM, offering high performance at lower cost.
- Autofocus is fast in good light but hunts in low light conditions.
- Q3 202693/100
Buyers praise this lens as excellent, versatile, and a great value. Some note it is heavy but still recommend it.
- Excellent image quality and versatility for video and run-and-gun shooting.
- Great value compared to G series lenses, with competitive price.
- Lens is heavy but still recommended; weight is a noted drawback.
- Sharp center micro detail close to prime Sigma Art lenses.
- Q2 202682/100
Buyers praise the lens for sharpness, value, and versatility. A few note autofocus noise and low-light hunting.
- Sharp image quality and good value for the price.
- Versatile 24-70mm range suits hybrid photo/video work.
- Autofocus noise makes audio unusable for video.
- Autofocus hunts in low light, but fast in good light.
- Q1 202695/100
Buyers praise this Sigma lens as excellent value, delivering sharp, crisp images comparable to pricier Sony GM II. It's a versatile, sturdy favorite for daily use.
- Excellent value for money, often compared favorably to Sony GM II at half the price.
- Sharp, crisp image quality with great color and depth.
- Versatile and sturdy build, becoming a go-to lens for many.
- One reviewer noted it's heavier than expected, but still very happy.
- Q4 202575/100
Buyers praise image quality and color, but note the lens is heavy and may frustrate those without strong wrists or who don't edit RAW files.
- Great color and image quality, comparable to Zeiss lenses.
- Heavy but compact; may be frustrating for some shooting styles.
- Sharpness and performance for portraits and landscapes.
- Good for manual lens users seeking OIS and convenience.
- Q2 202580/100
Buyers praise sharpness, build quality, and image stabilization. One user reports focus issues and softness at wide end.
- Sharpness and build quality praised across Nikon D and Z cameras.
- Great image stabilization and suitability for documentary filmmaking.
- One user reports focus issues and soft spot at 24-35mm range.
- Overall satisfaction with lens as a versatile all-rounder.
- Q3 202267/100
Buyers praised the lens for its build, clarity, bokeh, and low-light performance, but one reviewer found it disappointing.
- Excellent build quality, clarity, and bokeh.
- Great low-light performance and versatility as an everyday lens.
- One reviewer felt the lens did not meet expectations.
- Q4 202133/100
Mixed reviews: one buyer loves the lens for sharpness and build, but two others report it is not sharp or incompatible with Canon.
- Lens is sharp, heavy in a good way, great for family shoots.
- Lens not sharp at all, buyer returned it.
- Lens incompatible with Canon despite being told otherwise.
- Q3 202195/100
Buyers praised the lens for its sharpness, versatility, and build quality, though noted it is heavy.
- Crisp, clear images with great versatility from 24-70mm at f/2.8.
- Lens is heavy, but users accept it for performance.
- Excellent build quality and fast delivery.
- Great value for cinema and video work.
- Q2 2021100/100
All 9 reviews are 5-star, praising image quality, sharpness, build, and value. Buyers highly recommend it for travel and professional use.
- Excellent image quality and sharpness consistently highlighted.
- Solid build and professional feel appreciated.
- Fast and accurate autofocus noted.
- Great value and versatility for travel and general use.
- Q1 202193/100
Buyers praise the lens for its fantastic image quality, solid build, and versatility across Canon and Sony systems. One notes it is heavy but solves focus issues on older DSLRs.
- Excellent image quality and sharpness, with one copy noted as sharper than others.
- Solid build quality and good ergonomics, feels great in hand.
- Works well with Sigma USB dock for micro focus adjustment on older Canon DSLRs.
- Lens is very heavy, a notable con for some users.
- Q3 202065/100
Buyers praised the lens quality and value versus Nikon, but noted heavy weight and autofocus issues that required firmware updates.
- Excellent image quality and value compared to Nikon's offering.
- Heavy weight; some found it manageable, others too heavy.
- Autofocus misses focus in about half of shots, even after firmware updates.
- Smooth zoom/focus action and good for weddings and portraits.
- Q1 202087/100
Buyers praise image quality and value versus Canon, but consistently note the lens is heavy, especially for long hikes.
- Sharp images, fast aperture, great for street and art photography.
- Good value compared to Canon counterpart.
- Lens is heavy (2.5 lbs); needs a harness for trail use.
- Works well with Canon 5DM4 and 6D Mark II.
- Q4 2019100/100
All six reviews are 5-star, praising the lens for its sharpness, build quality, and value. Buyers recommend it as a great all-around lens.
- Sharp image quality consistently highlighted across reviews.
- Excellent build quality, comparable to Canon/Nikon.
- Great value for money, not pricey for the quality.
- Versatile lens, ideal for walking around and low light.
- Q1 201993/100
Buyers praised the lens for its quality and value, though some noted it is heavy.
- Great image quality and ease of use
- Good value for the price
- Heavy weight noted as a drawback
- Positive experience with Adorama store
- Q4 201890/100
Buyers praised the lens for sharp focus, weather sealing, and value, though some noted initial focus issues and weight.
- Sharp focus, beautiful bokeh, and great flexibility for available light photography.
- Weather sealing and image stabilization are highly valued for outdoor use.
- Initial focus issues (back/front focusing) were easily fixed with optimization software.
- Lens is a little heavy, but worth the price for studio and event work.
- Q3 201872/100
Buyers praise sharpness and versatility, but one reports inconsistent autofocus and edge softness, calling it a dud compared to other Sigma lenses.
- Sharp lens, great image quality, and versatile focal lengths for various photography needs.
- Autofocus is fast but inconsistent; one user observed focus jumping at 70mm.
- Edge sharpness is lacking; center sharpness is okay but not exceptional.
- Zoom ring direction is reversed, which some find annoying but not a deal breaker.
- Q2 201888/100
Buyers praise the lens as sharp, versatile, and quick-focusing, but one notes soft corners and edges, especially at 24mm and 70mm, requiring micro-adjustment.
- Sharp, clear, and versatile for portraits, landscapes, and low light; excellent image quality.
- Soft extreme corners and edges at wide and telephoto ends, varying by focal length.
- Requires significant micro-adjustment for sharpness; calibration via USB dock needed.
- Fast and accurate autofocus, outperforming Canon and older Sigma models for run-and-gun shooting.
- Q1 2018100/100
Buyers praised the lens for its sharpness, precision, and value, with one noting it's a great alternative to Nikon's version.
- Sharpness and precision are excellent, matching or exceeding comparable lenses.
- Great value for the price, especially as an alternative to pricier options.
- Versatile focal length, ideal for wedding photography and general use.
- Helpful customer service, encouraging repeat purchases.
- Q4 201784/100
Buyers praised sharpness, image stabilization, and versatility, though some noted the lens is heavy and one reviewer hadn't tested it enough.
- Sharpness and image quality are excellent.
- Image stabilization and f/2.8 aperture are valued.
- Lens is heavy but build quality is solid.
- One reviewer couldn't provide definitive feedback due to limited use.
- Q3 201777/100
Buyers praised sharpness, color, and build, but some reported autofocus inconsistency and back/front focus issues, especially on Nikon and Canon bodies.
- Excellent sharpness, color, and bokeh; many prefer it over OEM lenses.
- Autofocus inconsistency, back/front focus issues reported on some bodies.
- Heavy and large; some find it cumbersome for travel or petite users.
- Softness at wide end and at f/4 noted by a few reviewers.
Based on 135 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
The center sharpness is what really surprised us. It's bitingly sharp wide open at f/2.8, and it just gets better from there. The new HLA autofocus motor is fast and nearly silent for stills, though we did notice it can hunt a little in low-contrast scenes compared to the top-tier Sony glass. The stabilization is a standout, rated for 4 stops and landing in the 92nd percentile in our database. It makes handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds a breeze. The big letdown is the bokeh, which sits in a disappointing 28th percentile. It's a bit busy and nervous, so don't expect that creamy, buttery background blur you'd get from a fast prime.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 24 |
| Focal Length Max | 70 |
| Elements | 19 |
| Groups | 15 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4 |
| ED Elements | 3 |
| Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Sony E |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 1.0 kg / 2.2 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 82 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | HSM |
| Stabilization | Yes |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 170 |
| Max Magnification | 1:2.7 |
vs Competition
The obvious rival is the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II. The Sony is lighter and has slightly faster, more reliable autofocus, but the Sigma is optically its equal or better in the center and costs a lot less. The Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM is another strong competitor for Canon shooters, but it's a different mount and a slightly different focal range. If you're on Sony E-mount, the Sigma is the smarter buy unless you absolutely need the most bulletproof AF for fast-paced sports. Skip the Tamron 18-300mm comparison entirely, that's a superzoom for a completely different crowd.
| Spec | Sigma Art 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD | Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Panasonic LUMIX S S-R28200 | Pentax Limited Series HD DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited DC WR Wide Zoom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 24-70mm | 28-300mm | 17-28mm | 18-135mm | 28-200mm | 20-40mm |
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/4 | f/2.8 |
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E | Nikon Z | Sony E | L-Mount | Pentax K |
| Stabilization | true | true | false | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | false | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 1020 | 590 | 450 | 326 | 413 | 283 |
| AF Type | HSM | VXD linear motor | Stepping Motor | Linear motor | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma Art 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art | 54.2 | 88.9 | 40.6 | 85.9 | 98.1 | 86.2 | 64.1 | 80.7 | 93.9 | 93 |
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD Compare | 97.7 | 80.7 | 64.1 | 84 | 96.6 | 68.8 | 91 | 97.9 | 52.3 | 80.3 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare | 85.3 | 88.9 | 74.6 | 84 | 87.8 | 86.2 | 91 | 67.9 | 68.1 | 35 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 97.7 | 78.1 | 71.7 | 38.5 | 78 | 79.9 | 45.4 | 95.9 | 90.8 | 80.3 |
| Panasonic LUMIX S S-R28200 Compare | 54.2 | 80.7 | 77 | 73.2 | 91.7 | 68.8 | 22.2 | 95.5 | 75.6 | 99.4 |
| Pentax Limited Series HD DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited DC WR Wide Zoom Compare | 54.2 | 88.9 | 86.1 | 96.5 | 59.6 | 86.2 | 45.4 | 72.2 | 56.5 | 80.3 |
Price
Value & Pricing
This is where Sigma usually wins, and the Art II is no exception. It delivers optical performance that punches way above its class, often nipping at the heels of lenses costing twice as much. The price spread across vendors is wild, from $781 to a ridiculous $199,800, so just ignore the outliers and grab it from a reputable dealer. For the real-world street price, you're getting a lens that makes the Sony 24-70mm GM II look overpriced.
Amazon 2 offers From MX$24,844
Price History
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Overview
The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art is the sharpest standard zoom we've tested in a long time, and it's a genuine problem for Sony's own GM II. Sigma shrunk the body, added an aperture ring, and cranked up the resolving power to a level that's basically best-in-class. The optical score in our database puts it in the 98th percentile, which is just absurd for a zoom. If you're a Sony shooter who wants pro-level image quality without the pro-level price tag, this is the one to beat.
Common Questions
Q: Does this lens have an aperture ring?
Yes, and it's one of the best upgrades from the old version. You can click it for stills or de-click it for smooth, silent aperture pulls during video.
Q: Is the autofocus good enough for video?
It's quiet and generally smooth, but it can pulse a bit when tracking subjects in low light. For critical video AF, native Sony glass is still more reliable.
Q: How does it compare to the Sony 24-70mm GM II?
The Sigma is sharper in the center, has better stabilization, and costs way less. The Sony is lighter, has slightly better corner sharpness, and its autofocus is more confident in bad light.
Who Should Skip This
If you're a portrait photographer chasing creamy, dreamy bokeh, this isn't your lens. The background rendering is just too harsh. Go grab a fast prime like the Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM instead. And if you're a run-and-gun sports shooter who needs absolute AF reliability in every single frame, the native Sony GM II is the safer, if pricier, bet.
Verdict
The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art is the new default standard zoom for Sony shooters who care about image quality first. It's not perfect, the bokeh won't win any awards and the AF isn't quite Sony-native snappy, but the sheer resolving power and build quality for the price make it an easy recommendation. This is the lens that makes you question why you'd spend more.
