Sigma 19mm F2.8 DN ART

Image: Sigma 19mm F2.8 DN ART

23rd September 2017, Singapore – As more new mirrorless cameras gets released into the photography market, the demand for mirrorless lenses increases significantly too. However, many mirrorless users is finding the available options are limited for alternative lenses from other lens manufacturers – and today, we take a look at Sigma’s 19mm F2.8 DN ART (DN = mirrorless lens). This ART version replaced the previous Sigma 19mm F2.8 EX DN – which was already a very good mirrorless system lens. And if Sigma labels a lens as “ART”, you know you are getting a lot of bangs for your bucks.

Before we proceed, as usual we would like to disclaim that we are reviewing based on user experience rather than a technical review which you can easily find on Sigma’s websites. We are more interested in what the lens can produce and image quality etc. If you are cool, read on.

Image: Sigma 19mm F2.8 DN ART mounted on an Olympus OM-D E-M1 MarkII.

We were given a Silver unit (also available in metallic Black), this pro-level wide angle lens gives Micro Four Thirds system users an equivalent of 38mm and for E-mount users, a wider 28.5mm (the real equivalent on a 35mm format). Internally, the 19mm ART comes with 03 aspherical lenses that corrects all forms of distortions and great reduction of aberrations especially when compared to the earlier version. Arranged into 8 elements in 6 groups, the 19mm focuses from F2.8 to F22  via a 7 blades (round diaphragm) that produces beautiful bokehs. The lens barrel feel solidly built and the focusing ring are addictive to touch. (lol!) Smooth and classy.

Image: Sigma 19mm F2.8 DN ART – Made in Japan.

Image: Sigma 19mm F2.8 DN ART – Tiny but lethal.  

 

 

 

And so I took the Sigma 19mm F2.8 DN ART and mounted to my Olympus OM-D E-M1 MarkII (MFT System camera) and went on a walk to Gardens by the Bay – one of my favorite place to review camera & lenses. All images below are mildly edited for cropping, straightening and adjustment of exposure only – everything else was kept as it is when downloaded from the SD card.

 

Image: The Sigma 19mm F2.8 DN ART is considered an wide-angle lens so scenes like this are achievable – although regular users of ultra-wide lenses may find the 19mm a little tight for framing. As for me, no problem at all! 

 

Image: With a minimum focusing distance of 20cm and coupled with a magnification ration of 1:7.4 – the Sigma 19mm F2.8 DN ART is capable of close-ups shooting like this example.

 

Image: The Sigma 19mm F2.8 DN ART produces beautiful bokehs with its 7-round blades aperture.

Image: The Sigma 19mm F2.8 DN ART produces excellent color rendering and contrasty images like this example. 

Image: The Sigma 19mm F2.8 DN ART wide enough for many styles of shooting. The above 2 examples are just so satisfying to view.

Image: The Sigma 19mm F2.8 DN ART produces lots of details despite me shooting at F2.8 at most of the time for this review.

Image: The Sigma 19mm F2.8 DN ART performs exceptionally well in the night while shooting lighted displays.

Through using the Sigma 19mm F2.8 DN ART for this review, my verdict is – this is an excellent all-rounder lens that produces high quality images be it during day or night. The lens are well built, light & compact, helps to balance the weight between lens-camera and definitely an ease to use for hours and hours. The focusing is near-silent and accurately fast, I’ve fallen in love with this lens already.

We will be back with the reviews for Sigma’s DN series 30mm (both F2.8 & F1,4) and the mighty 60mm, do look out for it!

OK Guys, Buy your NEW Sigma 19mm F2.8 DN ART here.