Sigma Announces The 28-70mm DG DN Contemporary Lens for Mirrorless

Today Sigma has announced the launch of its latest zoom lens for mirrorless systems – the 28-70mm DG DN Contemporary Lens for L-mount & E-Mount, which they boast to be the smallest and lightest full-frame f2.8 standard zoom lens for mirrorless (At the time of release)! Why is this a big deal? The 28-70mm is a much-awaited full-frame mirrorless lens designed to meet & exceed the demands of professionals while offering an incredibly compact frame, giving it an “everyday lens” status. It’s almost a full pound lighter than its 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN | Art lens sibling!

This new Sigma lens offers excellent edge-to-edge performance with well-controlled axial chromatic aberration and sagittal coma aberration, a dust and splash-proof mount with water & oil-repellent front element coatings, and is priced at just $899. The Bokeh is also reported as being rather incredible due to its 9-blade rounded aperture and optical formula. Pair this with a stepping motor for fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus in both stills & video, you’ve got a winning combination! The new lens is expected to be on retail shelves by March 12, 2021.

Read the Full Press Release Below;

SIGMA Sets A New Standard in Large-Aperture Mirrorless Zoom Lenses

The SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary redefines the standard zoom for mirrorless cameras by combining outstanding optical performance, an F2.8 constant aperture, and a lightweight and compact body. The design of the 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary is based on the existing 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art, but with a focal range starting at 28mm, making the lens body significantly smaller and lighter while maintaining superb optical performance. It is the smallest and lightest lens in its class*. Remaining true to the Contemporary line’s core concept of maintaining an optimal balance between optical performance and lens size, this new optic delivers professional quality results in a body small enough to take on a casual outing. 

In addition to prioritizing portability, SIGMA’s optical engineers introduced a new combination of coatings and structural elements that make this standard zoom well-equipped for use in a wide range of shooting environments. Likewise, the latest production and manufacturing techniques were employed to ensure exceptionally high build quality. 

The 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary introduces another fast, high-performance, large-aperture zoom lens to SIGMA’s mirrorless line-up, offering a more compact alternative to the existing 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art.

[Related Reading: Sigma FP Review | Full-Frame 4K RAW Video On A Budget!]

Key Features

Design based on SIGMA’s Art line, with the same uncompromising optical performance

The optical design of the SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary is based on the 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art, which is renowned for its outstanding optical performance throughout its zoom range. True to the Contemporary line’s core concept, the 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary was developed to offer the right balance of performance and portability, and as such, this large-aperture standard zoom delivers outstanding image quality that rivals Art line lenses in a body light enough for day-to-day use. Building on state-of-the-art technology, the 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary has an advanced optical design that includes three aspherical, two FLD, and two SLD elements. Despite using fewer elements in total than the 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art, the design results in a thorough correction of axial chromatic aberration and sagittal coma aberration, which cannot be corrected in-camera, allowing users to create images that are uniformly sharp from the center to the edges of the frame. Along with its anti-ghosting design, the use of Super Multi-Layer Coating and Nano Porous Coating means well-controlled flare for high-contrast results in backlit conditions. It also features a water and oil repellant coating on the front side of the lens. 

In short, the SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary combines all of the key optical features required of a large-aperture standard zoom lens, which are essential for photographing a wide variety of subjects in a range of shooting conditions.

Comparison of the two optimal solutions to standard zoom lenses with F2.8 brightness throughout the zoom range.

With the addition of the new 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary, SIGMA now provides two optimal solutions of standard F2.8 zoom lens for mirrorless cameras ― the new 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary achieves remarkable portability and offers the same optical performance, as the existing 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art which is for pro-use with the highest levels of performance throughout its focal range. 

[Related Reading: The Ultimate Mirrorless 24-70mm Comparison | Canon, Nikon, Sony, Sigma, Panasonic!!]

A lightweight and compact body ― ideal for day-to-day use

 Being slightly less wide-angle than the 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art has allowed a significant reduction in the size of the 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary lens body. In order to fit with the design concept of the Contemporary line, which balances performance with portability, the new lens features a simpler dust- and splash-proof structure and smaller switches. This makes it the smallest and lightest lens in its class*. 

The new lens features just one lightweight focusing element, which keeps the AF unit small. This, along with a quiet and fast stepping motor, makes for responsive and near-silent autofocus performance.

The 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary weighs in at 470g, and when attached to the SIGMA fp, the entire setup is 890g. The supreme portability afforded by a camera system that weighs less than 1kg gives photographers a huge amount of freedom and flexibility to achieve their creative vision. It’s also a perfect combination for filmmakers looking for a high-performance, lightweight, easy-to-handle camera system that works well with a gimbal and other accessories.

A large-aperture, standard zoom lens that is light and small enough for casual outings, the 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary will open up new photographic possibilities for better and more creative results.

Superb build quality with exceptional attention to detail that provides an exceptional user experience

With priority given to optimal portability, the body of the SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary consists primarily of lightweight parts. While conventional wisdom states that it is more difficult to ensure processing accuracy for plastic parts than metal parts, there has been no compromise whatsoever on build quality for the 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary. One reason for this is that it uses a type of polycarbonate called TSC (Thermally Stable Composite), which has a comparable level of thermal shrinkage to aluminum. This helps reduce differences between the thermal shrinkage of the metal and non-metal parts, ensuring stable levels of performance even in an environment with extreme temperature changes. The use of polycarbonates in the construction of zoom and focus rings can make their operation feel less premium, but with careful treatment to the precision of these parts and adjusting the movement with the lubricant appropriately, the rings offer a precise action with an exceptionally high-quality feel.

What allows us to achieve these precisely produced parts and such premium aesthetics is the impressive standard of manufacturing technology and rigorous quality control we have at the SIGMA Aizu Factory. 

The SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary offers a new and improved photographic experience for mirrorless users who require a fast aperture standard zoom lens. Its premium, intuitive build makes it as exciting to use the lens as it is to see the incredible images it can produce, inspiring you to start achieving your creative potential.

[Related Reading: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Review | The Best Mirrorless Portrait Prime?]

Additional Features

• Lens construction: 16 elements in12 groups, with 2 FLD elements, 2 SLD elements, and 3 aspherical elements
• Internal focusing
• Compatible with high-speed autofocus
• Stepping motor
• Compatible with lens-based optical correction

^{* Function available on supported cameras only. Available corrections may vary depending on the camera model.}

• Nano Porous Coating
• Super Multi-Layer Coating
• Water and oil repellent coating (front element)
• Focus Mode Switch
• Support DMF, AF+MF
• Petal-type lens hood
• Simple dust- and splash-proof design
• Compatible with SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately / for L-Mount only)
• Designed to minimize flare and ghosting
• Every single lens undergoes SIGMA’s proprietary MTF measuring system “A1”
• 9-blade rounded diaphragm
• High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount
• ‘Made in Japan’ craftsmanship

To learn more about SIGMA’s craftsmanship, please visit SIGMA website here, and to learn more about this new lens visit the official product page here

 [Key specifications] The figures below are for L-mount.

• Lens construction: 12 groups, 16 elements (2 FLD elements, 2 SLD elements, 3 aspherical elements)
• Angle of view: 75.4°-34.3°N
• Number of diaphragm blades: 9 (rounded diaphragm)
• Minimum aperture: F22
• Minimum focusing distance: 19 (W)-38 (T)cm / 7.5-15.0in.
• Maximum magnification ratio: 1:3.3 (W) – 1:4.6 (T)
• Filter size: φ67mm
• Maximum dimension x length: φ72.2mm×101.5mm / φ2.8-4.0in.
• Weight: 470g / 16.6oz.

Sample Images

Pricing & Availability

$899 – Adorama | B&H | Amazon

We’ve already put in a request to test and review this new lens, but until we get hands-on with it, be sure to leave us any questions or thoughts on this new lens for us to address in the comments below.