It’s finally here! After Sigma released their 24-70mm F2.8 DN ART at the beginning of 2020, we all expected that a 70-200mm alternative to the expensive GM lens would be right behind. But three months later it was Tamron that came out with their 70-180mm F2.8 VXD, and that lens became the de facto alternative to the GM lens. Surely Sigma’s own 70-200mm would come soon…but three more years have gone by. During that time Sony released an exceptional (but expensive!) 70-200mm F2.8 GM II, and earlier this year Tamron was back with a much improved G2 version of their 70-180mm F2.8 lens. I say all of that to say that Sigma has obviously waited to refine the formula for their own lens – the Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN Sport – and give it an extra degree of polish. That has undoubtedly resulted in a more complete lens, but it also means that some of the competitors have had time to become more thoroughly established in the market. Has taking their time paid off for Sigma?

Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN Sport Review | Is it Worth the Wait?

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Thanks to Sigma Canada (Gentec) for sending me a 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 a7RV along with the Sony Alpha 1 that serve as my benchmark cameras for Sony lenses.

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The Sigma 70-200mm DN follows Sigma’s recent trend of competing directly with Sony’s own GM lenses in terms of features and performance…but not with price. This is an extremely feature rich lens, and, as per usual, Sigma’s “Sport” designated lenses carry Sigma’s highest degree of build quality. This is a lens capable of performing in challenging environmental conditions and producing stunning images.

I think one of the main reasons why Sigma held off as they did is that while their lest robust STM motors might work with a lens like the 24-70mm F2.8, a 70-200mm lens (particularly with the “Sport” designation) required a more robust focus system. Sigma developed and first released that system with the 60-600mm Sport lens they released at the beginning of 2023. That focus system is called HLA, and it is a high powered linear focus system that allows for the faster, more responsive focus needed in a sport oriented lens like this one. In this case we have dual HLA motors and focus is near instantaneous. That allows you to tackle more subjects with the lens.

The final piece of the puzzle is the price, and, while that has not been finalized at the time of my review, the range is between $1500-1600 USD, meaning that it is over $1000 cheaper than the $2800 USD Sony GM II lens and a few hundred dollars more expensive than the $1300 USD Tamron 70-180mm G2. That feels like a good price point for the Sigma where it can offer strong value for money on either Sony E or Leica L mounts. You can watch the video review above, read my text review, or just enjoy the photos here.

Photos of the Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 Sport

Photos Taken with the Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 Sport

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