Stunning versatility.
A large F2.8 aperture zoom lens that need never leave your camera
This exceptionally small, light and bright standard zoom for crop-sensor mirrorless cameras is the ultimate workhorse lens.
SIGMA’s first APS-C size mirrorless zoom lens has a versatile full-frame equivalent zoom range of 27-75mm, which makes it ideal for a wide range of photo and video applications including landscapes, portraits, street photography, architecture and events. It can also be used for macro-style close-up photography owing to its maximum magnification of 1:2.8※1, which allows a minimum focusing distance of just 12.1cm. In terms of its bright F2.8 aperture, it makes for easier hand-held low-light shooting and provides a shallow depth-of-field for high-impact results.
Autofocus is exceptionally fast and quiet thanks to the stepping motor, which can be particularly useful when shooting video, or fast-moving subjects such as children and animals. The lens’ exceptionally small and light form factor that weighs less than 300g makes it perfect as a first interchangeable lens, and as a sub-lens for full-frame bodies※2, as well as for various shooting situations.
*1 The minimum focusing distance and maximum magnification ratio are both values at the wide end.
*2 Please switch to APS-C crop mode when used on full-frame cameras.
Impression
Features
Large F2.8 aperture and superb image quality
The SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary covers 27mm to 75mm in the 35mm format, and has a wide aperture of F2.8 throughout the entire zoom range. This makes it easy to achieve blurry backgrounds, which is ideal for shooting attractive portraits and close-ups. The bokeh is smooth and attractive so doesn’t distract from the in-focus subject.
The lens’s three high-precision glass-molded aspherical elements coupled with the minimization of the total number of elements yields superb optical quality without excessive weight, and the use of in-camera aberration correction further eliminates optical imperfections such as distortion and vignetting. This has all been made possible by the latest optical design technology at SIGMA’s only production base in Aizu, where all SIGMA lenses are built.
Exceptionally compact and lightweight body
ideal for mirrorless cameras
The SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary is remarkably compact, matching the portability of APS-C mirrorless camera bodies. This makes it a perfect workhorse lens that is ideal for general day-to-day use. The lens is currently the smallest and lightest in its class※1, boasting a maximum diameter of φ65.4mm, a length of 74.5mm and weight of 290g※2, yet still maintains a constant aperture of F2.8.
To keep the lens as light as possible, SIGMA constructed the body from carefully selected materials. A polycarbonate called Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) was used for the construction of the barrel, which is sleek, robust, and importantly has a thermal conductivity close to that of aluminum. This ensures stable performance and good operability when used in changing temperatures. By deliberately using metal for some of the internal structure, the parts could be much thinner and have a higher rigidity, ensuring the lens can stand up to frequent, heavy use.
*1 As an AF compatible, F2.8 constant aperture zoom lens for APS-C (as of October 2021, by SIGMA)
*2 The values are for L-Mount.
Supports various shooting situations
The SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary has fast and near-silent AF that makes it perfectly suited to a range of photographic applications, including shooting in quiet environments, recording videos and capturing fast-moving subjects. This has been achieved by using a stepping motor as the AF actuator. Since it is small and lightweight, it can be used flexibly in situations such as handheld shooting, which requires high mobility, gimbal shooting, one-man operation video shooting and vlogging.
Combined with the “Pocketable Full-Frame” SIGMA fp, the total weight is only 712g, and it can also be useful as a sub-lens for full-frame cameras (used in crop mode) to keep weight down. The 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary, which combines compactness, light weight, high performance, and large aperture, supports a variety of shooting situations, from introductory single-lens mirrorless cameras to video shooting and combination with full-frame cameras.
About the minimum focusing distance
With an emphasis on making the lens as versatile as possible in a wide variety of shooting conditions, SIGMA designed the lens with a minimum focusing distance of 12.1cm and maximum magnification of 1:2.8*, making it also ideal for close-ups.
*The minimum focusing distance and maximum magnification are both values at the wide end. Remove the lens hood from the lens before use when photographing at the minimum focusing distance at the wide-angle end.
Examples of the lens used in combination with
full-frame cameras in APS-C format
SIGMA fp L
Camera Effective Pixels
Approx. 61 MP
SIGMA fp
Camera Effective Pixels
Approx. 24.6 MP
(Equivalent to approx.1.5 the focal length of the lens)
(Equivalent to approx.1.5 the focal length of the lens)
6,240 × 4,144
3,840 × 2,560
3,840 x 2,160 (UHD 4K)
3,840 x 2,160 (UHD 4K)
Additional features
Lens construction: 13 elements in 10 groups
Compatible with high-speed autofocus
Compatible with lens aberration correction
*Function available on supported cameras only. Available corrections or auto correction functionality may vary depending on the camera model.
*On cameras where lens aberration correction is controlled with ‘ON’ or ‘OFF’ in the camera menu, please set all aberration correction functions to ‘ON'(AUTO).
Support DMF and AF+MF
Petal type lens hood(LH582-02)
Mount with dust and splash resistant structure
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
7-blade rounded diaphragm
High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount
Essentials
You'll find our philosophy and craftsmanship
in every product
Our new lineup fully expresses our approach to lenses and photography itself. All of our lenses belong to one of three lines—Art, Contemporary, or Sports—all of which share our development philosophy and advanced manufacturing system. High performance, high quality, and high end in every respect, these lenses give people who love photography lasting value and consistent, exciting results. The secret is our passion for craftsmanship that we put into every production process and every product.
Specifications
Performance / Data
MTF Chart
Diffraction MTF
Geometrical MTF
Spatial frequency | S:Sagittal Line | M:Meridional Line |
---|---|---|
10lp/mm |
|
|
30lp/mm |
|
Product Lineup
18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary
-
L-Mount
- Supplied Accessories
・LENS HOOD LH582-02
・FRONT CAP LCF-55mm III
・REAR CAP LCR II
-
Sony E-mount
- Supplied Accessories
・LENS HOOD LH582-02
・FRONT CAP LCF-55mm III
・REAR CAP LCR II
-
FUJIFILM X Mount
- Supplied Accessories
・LENS HOOD LH582-02
・FRONT CAP LCF-55mm III
・REAR CAP LCR II
Support
18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary
FAQ
Accessories
Supplied Accessories
FRONT CAP LCF-55mmⅢ
LENS HOOD LH582-02
REAR CAP LCR Ⅱ
* The image is for SIGMA.
-
L-Mount
-
Sony E-mount
-
FUJIFILM X Mount
Separately Sold Accessories
USB DOCK UD-11
Designed exclusively for the use with a SIGMA Contemporary, Art, or Sports lens and its accessories, the SIGMA USB DOCK allows users to update firmware and adjust the sensitivity of speed to the MF function* through the UD-11.
* Scope of adjustment varies depending on specifications of the individual product.
-
L-Mount
WR PROTECTOR 55mm
Water-repellent, Antistatic type. Protector is developed to protect the lens surface from dirt and dust as well as scratches. It is an ideal filter for regular use as it is completely colorless so does not affect color reproduction.
* Thinner frame wide type.
PROTECTOR 55mm
Normal type. Protector is developed to protect the lens surface from dirt and dust as well as scratches. It is an ideal filter for regular use as it is completely colorless so does not affect color reproduction.
* Thinner frame wide type.
WR UV FILTER 55mm
UV Water-repellent, Antistatic type. UV filter prevents the bluish tone that generates when the weather is fine, by absorbing ultraviolet rays. It is effective in most situations, such as landscape, portrait and general photography on a sunny day. It is also an ideal filter for regular use as it is completely colorless so does not affect color reproduction.
* Thinner frame wide type.
WR CIRCULAR PL FILTER 55mm
PL Water-repellent, Antistatic type. Circular PL filter removes the reflection of water surface and glass windows, and increases the contrast in landscape photography.
* Thinner frame wide type.
Catalogs / Resources
Manuals / Brochures
-
SIGMA Lens Catalogue 2022 Autumn (Brochures)
-
18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary (Brochures)
-
18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary (Manuals)
Impressions / Samples
-
SIGMA FUJIFILM X Mount
SIGMAFUJIFILM X Mount lenses. SIGMA introduces interchangeable lenses for FUJIFILM X Mount mirrorless cameras. This addition allows users t…
-
What a perfect little lens. My constant travel companion. | Jim Koepnick
The SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary was with me for 12 miles (that’s 29,848 steps) as I walked around downtown Chicago. Weighing so little, while being so versatile, it never left my side. And that just might be a great definition for a travel lens – always there when you need it. A few thousand photos later, from sunny exterior landmarks of Chicago, to portraits at night, the lens surpassed my expectations. And a pleasant surprise was how close it focuses. While moving the camera closer and closer to a flower along a Chicago street, I was able to photograph a tiny honeybee as it landed.
-
The versatile zoom lens for everyday adventures. | Damien Dohmen
The SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary is so small that it makes the camera almost fit in a pocket and offers me the opportunity to go out light (with two small children, it is a luxury) and to face every adventure in which my son got me involved! It is like a smartphone, with the advantage of printable image quality.
-
Discover ever-changing joy in this seemingly ordinary world. | Hsu Wu Te
In this shooting, SONY α6500 and SIGMA fp were used at the same time. The former camera is APS-C and the latter one is full-frame but I use it with the crop mode. Both of them are quite lightweight. With SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary, the whole set weighs less than 800g, but I still benefit from a large aperture of 2.8 which surprised me! After all, in order to present a quiet and solemn atmosphere in a temple, faint light sources are used instead of bright fluorescent lamps.
-
This lens totally undermines the whole bigger-is-better principle. | Andrew Stripp
I shoot most of my images with the SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG OS HSM | Art. As this lens offers brilliant quality, I was particularly intrigued to see whether the images with the SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary would come close to that level for a very similar equivalent focal range when paired with crop-sensor cameras. My question was answered on day one – it’s a resounding yes! Whether commercial or non-commercial work, this lens makes it effortless. As mentioned, the picture quality is fantastic in terms of sharpness and the gorgeous, sexy bokeh!
-
18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary Sample photo gallery