When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. |
Sigma has announced the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art, which is an updated version of its flagship full-frame mirrorless 35mm F1.4 lens that was initially released in 2021. The new version of the 35mm F1.4 has been designed to be more compact, lighter, and better than its predecessor in terms of optical quality.
Unfortunately for us Canon users, this Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art will not be available for the RF mount, at least for now, but we can hope. Should we be jealous? Absolutely. This is a premier prime with excellent optical performance, for a price that is less than Canon’s own f/1.4 prime.
The new version has been designed with improvements such as being 14% smaller in terms of size compared to its predecessor and 20% lighter. The new version measures about 94mm in length, 72mm in diameter, and has a weight of 525-530g, depending on the mount. The new version uses a 67mm filter diameter and incorporates a floating focus design to make the lens more compact.
The new version has been designed to have better optical quality than its predecessor, with new optical materials that minimize aberrations to deliver better edge-to-edge sharpness at F1.4 than its predecessor.
The new version has also been designed with an 11-bladed, rounded diaphragm to deliver smooth bokeh with natural color characteristics. If that wasn’t enough, the mark II version has been designed to minimize focus breathing and also has Sigma’s brand new Advanced Amorphous Coating (AAC) to minimize ghosting and flare.
The newly developed AAC (Advanced Amorphous Coating) features a low-refractive-index amorphous layer that dramatically reduces reflections responsible for ghosting and flare, delivering exceptionally clear, high-contrast image quality.
The lens is available for the Sony E-mount and the L-mount. The price of the lens is $1,059, which is an 18% increase from the original, which was priced at $989. The lens will be available from around mid-April, 2026.
Pre-Order
Lens Construction and MTF
The lens has a floating focus system for compactness, driven by a fast, quiet Dual HLA linear motor with minimal breathing. It has an 11-blade rounded diaphragm for smooth bokeh, a dust- and splash-resistant design, a water- and oil-repellent front coating, a de-clickable aperture ring, and two AFL buttons.
The new version has been designed with 15 elements arranged in 12 groups with four aspherical lenses (red) and one SLD (Special Low Dispersion) (blue) element to minimize aberrations such as axial chromatic aberrations.
The autofocus is also enhanced, now including Sigma’s quiet and quick Dual HLA (Hypersonic Linear Actuator) motors. The features of the lens include dust and splash resistance, a front lens coating that repels water and oil, a de-clickable aperture ring that includes a lock and switch, two customizable AFL buttons that can be accessed when the lens is held in the landscape or portrait orientation, and a locking-type hood.
The MTF looks very impressive, considering this is a f/1.2 lens. Contrast is excellent throughout the frame, and as well, resolution is excellent, even in the deepest corners. The lines also suggest that this lens will have aberrations well-controlled as well.
Press Release
Sigma Launches 35mm F1.4 DG II | Art, a Revision of Sigma’s Original Flagship Lens
Ronkonkoma, NY, February 24, 2026 – Sigma Corporation of America, the US subsidiary of Sigma Corporation (CEO: Kazuto Yamaki. Headquarters: Asao-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan), is pleased to announce the Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG II | Art, a large-aperture, wide-angle lens for full-frame cameras that combines outstanding resolution with a compact, lightweight design.
The 35mm F1.4 DG II | Art is the newest addition to Sigma’s Art line of lenses, as the Type II successor to the Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art released in 2021. This lens features an even more compact and lightweight design compared to the original iteration, reducing the overall length by approximately 14% and weight by approximately 20%. In addition, optical performance is also superior to the original, making this lens a true upgrade from its predecessor.
This classic focal length prime lens is extremely versatile and ideal for any creator pursuing high-quality work across diverse genres, including portraits, street photography, landscapes, and fashion. Featuring the same Dual HLA (Hypersonic Linear Actuator) focus motor found in Sigma’s 35mm F1.2 DG II | Art, the new 35mm F1.4 DG II | Art achieves exceptionally fast and quiet autofocus with minimal focus breathing. This Dual HLA is what allows this lens to achieve a substantial reduction to its size and weight while maintaining such extremely high optical performance.
Key features expected from the Art line are present on the 35mm F1.4 DG II | Art as well, such as two AFL buttons, a focus mode switch, aperture ring click and aperture ring lock switches, and dampened focus and aperture rings for superb operational feel. Like all Sigma Art line lenses, the 35mm F1.4 DG II also features a dust- and splash-resistant structure in addition to water- and oil-repellent coatings on the front elements for peace of mind while shooting in harsh environments.
As the latest evolution of the “35mm F1.4” – the origin of the Sigma Art line, renowned for its overwhelming optical performance – this lens is the next step in flagship representation for Sigma. Scheduled for release on April 16, 2026, the 35mm F1.4 DG II | Art will be available at authorized Sigma dealers in the US for a retail price of $1059 USD.
Available mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
Launch: April 16, 2026
Key features
- The best optical performance ever in Sigma’s 35mm F1.4 Art line
- A refined compact and lightweight design
- Designed for comfortable shooting of both stills and video
Exceptional resolution across the entire frame from maximum aperture
Built on Sigma’s latest optical design technology, the completely redesigned 15-element, 12-group construction delivers extraordinarily detailed rendering that surpasses previous generations of 35mm F1.4 Art line lenses. By incorporating new glass materials that were previously difficult to process, together with four high-precision aspherical elements and two SLD glass elements, the lens thoroughly suppresses aberrations, particularly axial chromatic aberration, which is often prominent in large-aperture lenses.
Sigma’s rigorous Art line standards ensure outstanding resolution across the entire frame, even at maximum aperture.
Rich and beautiful bokeh without color bleeding
By thoroughly correcting axial chromatic aberration, the lens suppresses color fringing not only in the in-focus plane but also in out-of-focus areas, producing beautifully natural bokeh. The lens features an 11-blade rounded diaphragm, which maintains a round shape even when stopping down from maximum aperture. In addition, by refining the surface accuracy of the aspherical elements to the highest level, the lens enables smooth and beautifully round bokeh.
Newly developed AAC (Advanced Amorphous Coating)
The newly developed AAC (Advanced Amorphous Coating) features a low-refractive-index amorphous layer that dramatically reduces reflections responsible for ghosting and flare, delivering exceptionally clear, high-contrast image quality.
A refined compact and lightweight design
Pursuing uncompromising compactness and lightness
By adopting a floating focus system, the lens achieves both enhanced optical performance and a more compact, lightweight design. Compared to the previous model―the Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art, it is approximately 14% shorter and 20% lighter. The mechanical design incorporates numerous space-saving innovations down to the smallest details, ensuring truly uncompromising compactness and portability. This agility empowers photographers to pursue their creative vision.
Fast and quiet autofocusing with dual HLA system
The lens employs Sigma’s dual HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) system, which drives its large and heavy focus group with high power and speed. Even as a large-aperture lens where the focus group tends to become heavier, it delivers fast, accurate, and quiet AF for both stills and video—ensuring that the user can capture decisive moments reliably.
Designed for comfortable shooting of both stills and video
A long-lasting, reliable tool for photographic expression
By assembling high-precision parts made of aluminum, TSC*1, and other materials, the lens achieves the high level of rigidity, durability, and build quality expected of the Art line without compromising portability. As a photographic tool, it offers the reliability needed for long-term use.
Various shooting assist functions
The lens is equipped with an AFL button in two locations, which can be assigned to a range of functions via the menu on selected cameras. In addition to the aperture ring, the lens is equipped with an aperture ring lock switch*2 and a click switch to turn the click on and off.
Designed to minimize focus breathing
Optimization of the focus group arrangement and aspherical shape significantly suppresses focus breathing. The change in angle of view due to focus shift is minimized, creating a natural-looking focus shift when recording video.
Dust- and splash-resistant structure*3 and water- and oil-repellent coating
In addition to a dust- and splash-resistant structure, the frontmost surface of the lens has a water- and oil-repellent coating applied, so that the lens can be used safely even in harsh outdoor environments.
Petal-type hood with locking mechanism
The Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG II | Art comes with a dedicated petal-type hood that shields the front element from stray light to reduce the chances of unwanted flare. The hood attaches securely to the lens with a locking mechanism.
*1 TSC (Thermally Stable Composite) is a type of polycarbonate with a thermal expansion rate similar to that of aluminum. It has a high affinity to metal parts, which contributes to high quality product manufacturing.
*2 If you turn it on in position A, the aperture ring will be locked in position A. If you turn it on in a position other than A, it will be locked in the range from open to minimum aperture, and it will not be possible to turn it to position A.
*3 The product is designed to be dust- and splash-resistant but is not waterproof. When using the lens near water, etc., take care not to allow large amounts of water to splash on it. If water gets inside the lens, it may cause a major malfunction and render the lens unrepairable.
Specifications
| Principal specifications | |
| Lens type | Prime lens |
| Max Format size | 35mm FF |
| Focal length | 35 mm |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Lens mount | L-Mount, Sony E, Sony FE |
| Aperture | |
| Maximum aperture | F1.4 |
| Minimum aperture | F16 |
| Aperture ring | Yes |
| Number of diaphragm blades | 11 |
| Optics | |
| Elements | 15 |
| Groups | 12 |
| Special elements / coatings | 4 Asph, 2 SLD |
| Focus | |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Motor type | Linear Motor |
| Focus method | Internal |
| Distance scale | No |
| DoF scale | No |
| Physical | |
| Weight | 530 g (1.17 lb) |
| Diameter | 72 mm (2.83″) |
| Length | 94 mm (3.7″) |
| Power zoom | No |
| Zoom lock | No |
| Filter thread | 67 mm |
And isn’t the flagship the 35mm f1.2?!
I’m really really jealous of the the E-mount!
I m thinking of buying the A7 V instead of the r6 iii… to use it with EF-FE Adapter… just to have finally the option to use/buy Glas which doesn’t exist for us Canon users…. And those are maaany!
Thinking about the 28-70 & 50-150 for wedding… r6 with 16-35 2.8 maybe… 🥵🫣
And isn't this 'CANON rumors'?? This and several other Sigma Art lenses are rather looking like strong arguments to think about another camera brand .... 🙁
That's the new Art II MTF unless Sigma Global is wrong.
The Sigma Arts, without a doubt, are fantastic lenses (the APS-C lens, though, is available for Canon RF), while this one is not.
Why do we report on it?
a) because it's still important, and sooner or later Canon may relax its death grip on the RF mount
b) competition gives us an idea on what canon has to come up with to look decent in this marketplace.
As the third party manufacturers such as Sigma get better, while not raising the price considerably, this is a ongoing problem for Canon's RF mount that is only going to get worse.
I also hope that Sigma is considering to redo the 28mm as well; the size, weight and general mechanics of this look excellent.
According to reviews it generally beats the Sony GM 35mm 1.4, which in turn beats the RF 35mm 1.4L VCM. At a significantly lower price point.
It's increasingly tough to justify buying more L lenses knowing lenses like this exist, even if it means having to shoot two systems, or switch entirely.
Nikon could be the best choice with adapting Sony, having nice Z Tele lenses AND more and more 3rd Party glas!!
And my comment about the report of Sigma lenses in this forum was ironic: Of course I want to read about the capacities of other lens manufacturers. It's just frustrating to see which nice lenses are available for other systems. Canon will never be able to build dedicated lenses for all the different users like a 'bokeh-monster', a 'budget-saver' or an 'astro-specialist' etc. There was nearly a lens for everybody in the old EF-world, and Canon has now limited the access to it's RF mount and is building the mainstream lenses first. For more specialized lenses we might have to wait a bit ....... if they will ever become available as I'm not sure how far Canon will ever open the RF mount. I think they mention that they decide it 'case by case'. Mmmmmh ......