It has been four years since I last reviewed a premium Sigma DN prime lens designed specifically for APS-C.  The last one that I tested was the Sigma 56mm F1.4 DN, which impressed me as a portrait/short telephoto lens that was extremely sharp (one of the sharpest APS-C lenses that I’ve tested).  Sigma is finally back with a new entry in the line-up, and this one covers the incredibly important full frame equivalent 35mm focal length.  The Sigma 23mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary is (according to Sigma) the APS-C equivalent of their 35mm F1.4 DN ART lens, though, as we’ll see, Sigma’s design brief for the APS-C series follows a different formula than their full frame lenses.  Here’s a look at the DC (APS-C) DN (mirrorless) lineup thus far.

1. Sigma 16mm F1.4
2. Sigma 23mm F1.4
3. Sigma 30mm F1.4
4. Sigma 56mm F1.4
5. Sigma 18-50mm F2.8

Sigma’s DC DN series has become even more important now that Fuji has lifted their restrictions on third party development for the platform, as the Fuji X-mount is a place where these lenses can really thrive – particularly considering that fact that Sigma likes to make high resolving lenses and Fuji currently has the highest resolving APS-C cameras!  I’m doing this review on Sony E-mount, but I would love to see this Sigma 23mm (and other lenses from the series) on a Fujifilm X-H2 and its 40.2MP sensor!  You can also get this lens in a Leica L mount, though there aren’t any L-mount APS-C bodies and you would be using it in APS-C mode on one of the high resolution full frame models.  While I’ve done my formal tests on a Sony a6400 (along with some of the sample photos), I actually enjoy the lens much more on my 50MP Sony Alpha 1 in APS-C mode because I vastly prefer the ergonomics, viewfinder, IBIS, and focus system of that camera.  I’ve recently said that the best APS-C camera that Sony has at the moment is the a7RV in APS-C mode!

The 35mm focal length is one of my favorites, as it works very well as a general purpose walkaround focal length, good for landscapes, cityscapes, street, and people portraits.  This Sigma 23mm F1.4 covers that focal length with aplomb, with plenty of sharpness, nice color, and fairly good bokeh.

The maximum aperture of F1.4 is always attractive, as it gives you low light versatility along with creative depth of field options.  I’ll explore the strengths and weaknesses of the lens in this review.  So now you have a choice:  watch the video review below or read on to get the full picture.

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Thanks to Gentec (Sigma’s Canadian Distributor) for sending me a pre-release review loaner of this lens. As always, this is a completely independent review. *The tests and most of the photos that I share as a part of my review cycle have been done with the Sony a6400 along with the Sony Alpha 1 which will serve as my benchmark camera for the foreseeable future (my review here).

Photos of the Sigma 23mm F1.4 DC DN

Sigma 23mm F1.4 Image Quality Breakdown

Purchase the Sigma 23mm F1.4 DN @ B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon | Camera Canada | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany 

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