I was somewhat surprised when Sigma released the Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN (my review here). It had only been 13 months since they had released the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DN, a lens I felt was a strong alternative in both performance and price ($1099 USD) to the much more expensive Sony G Master version ($2198 USD). I had given the 24-70mm a positive review, and wondered if there was room for two similar lenses in Sigma’s lineup for Sony. Over time, however, I have begun to realize a couple of things about Sigma’s strategy on mirrorless. The first is that while I tend to focus on the Sony side of things, Sigma is also actively developing for the Leica L mount, which their own Sigma branded cameras now use. Some of those L-mount bodies are more compact, whereas a lot of the Sigma ART and Sport branded lenses have actually been some of the largest and heaviest in their class. Sigma’s strategy (which makes sense!) has been to develop two separate lines on mirrorless. They have, for example, three DN 35mm lenses already (F1.2, F1.4, and F2). All DN lenses – new, purpose designed lenses for mirrorless cameras and their unique focus systems. The large aperture lenses are designed for those who want ultimate image quality (and don’t mind paying for it and carrying it!), while the smaller aperture lenses (called the “i-Series”) are designed for those who want good image quality but aren’t willing to carry around a massive, heavy lens to achieve it. Sigma has started to bifurcate their zoom lineup in the same way, with the 28-70mm DN being the first of those designs. Enter the new Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN, a wide angle companion to the “normal” zoom range of the 28-70mm. The 16-28mm DN follows a lot of the same principles of the 28-70mm (compact and lightweight) while also allowing you to go quite wide (16mm):

…and frame in a little tighter on the 28mm side:

This lens is a little less surprising, obviously, as it is an obvious compliment in focal length to an existing lens. Like the 28-70mm DN, however, the new 16-28DN comes up against an established competitor in the Sony space (where I’m reviewing it) in the form of the Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 RXD (my review here). The Sigma has an obvious advantage in focal length, going considerably wider (here’s what 16mm vs 17mm looks like):

Interestingly, it also zooms in to a bit tighter a framing despite both lenses supposedly ending at 28mm:

That’s a serious advantage, though the Tamron also has a few compelling factors in its favor, including lower distortion and vignette, and, due to market forces, a cheaper price. There are some of you who just prefer Sigma, period, and I’m always in favor of more competition on the market. It is the proliferation of lenses like this that make Sony such a compelling platform right now. There are so many quality choices at a variety of price points…and I love it!

The big question is whether or not this particular lens is worthy of your consideration. Sigma’s 14-24mm F2.8 DN lens is an excellent lens (my review here), but it is also 43% larger by volume, 76% heavier, and hundreds of dollars more expensive. Is the superior performance of that lens worth the extra size, weight, and expense…or would you rather travel light? Sigma is clearly betting that there are those of you who will check the latter box, and, if so, the Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DN might just be the lens for you. If you want more information, you can watch my video review or read my text review…or just enjoy the photos below.

I want to thank Sigma Canada (and Gentec) for the loaner of this lens. As always, this is a completely independent review. The opinions here are completely my own. *The tests and most of the photos that I share as a part of my review cycle have been done with three cameras – the Sony Alpha 1, Sony a7IV, and Sony a6400.

Sigma 16-28DN Build, Design and Handling

Photos Taken with the Sigma 16-28mm DN

Gear Used:

Purchase the Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DN @ B&H Photo | Amazon | Camera Canada | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany

Purchase the Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DN @ B&H Photo | Amazon | Camera Canada | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Ebay

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Sony a9 Camera: B&H Photo | Amazon | Camera Canada | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Ebay
Sony a7RIV Camera: B&H Photo | Amazon | Camera Canada | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Ebay
Sony a7R III Camera: B&H Photo | Amazon | Camera Canada | Amazon.ca | Amazon UK | Ebay
Peak Design Slide Lite: Peak Design Store | B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK
Sony a6500: B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon.ca | Amazon UK | Ebay
Peak Design Leash Strap: Peak Design Store | B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK
BenQ SW271 4K Photo Editing Monitor – B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon.ca | Amazon UK
Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud 1-Year Subscription
Exposure Software X6 (Use Code “dustinabbott” to get 10% anything and everything)
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Keywords: Sigma 16-28 DN, Sigma 16-28 F2.8, Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN, 16-28 DN Review, Review, Sigma 28-70 DN, DN, DG, 16-28mm, F2.8, Review, Tamron 17-28mm F2.8, Tamron 17-28, Review, Sony Alpha 1, Sony a7IV, Review, Hands On, Dustin Abbott, Real World, Comparison, Sharpness, Bokeh, Flare Resistance, Autofocus, Image Quality, Sample Images, Video, Photography, Sony a9, sony a7III, sony a7RIII, a7R3, Leica L

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