Sigma 19mm 1: 2.8 DN A (ART) review

According provided by Sigma 19mm 1: 2.8 DN A (ART) lens (for Sony E mount cameras) many thanks the store ProFotoSalewhere you can find many new and used lenses for different systems, including Similar Sigma Lenses.

Navigation

1. In short
2. History
3. Main Specifications
4. Assembly
5. Focusing
6. Image quality
7. Sample Photos
8. My personal experience with the lens
9. All Sigma ART Lenses
10. All Sony E APS-C cameras
11. All Sony E APS-C Lenses
12. Results
13. Additional materials on mirrorless systems
14. User Comments
15. Add your review or question on the lens

In the review, I will call the Sigma 19mm 1: 2.8 DN A (ART) lens in abbreviated form - Sigma 19 / 2.8 Art.

This review shows the lens version for Sony cameras with mount Sony E (APS-C). But Sigma 19 / 2.8 Art also available for Micro 4/3 mirrorless cameras.

It's important: there is a similar older lens Sigma 19mm 1: 2.8 EX DN.

In short

The Sigma 19 / 2.8 Art is a wide-angle lens for mirrorless cameras with Sony E mount and Micro 4/3 mount. It has a low price tag, compact size, fast focusing motor and good optical performance. Of the obvious shortcomings, I can highlight the weak resolution in the corners and edges of the frame at F / 2.8 and the dirty focusing ring.

The Sigma 19 / 2.8 Art is one of the most affordable lenses in the Sigma Art line. At the time of announcement, the lens was priced at just $ 199.

Sigma 19 / 2.8 Art is a good alternative for original Sony E 2.8 / 16  и Sony E 2.8 / 20.

History

January 10 2012 the lens was introduced Sigma 19mm 1: 2.8 EX DN for Sony E, Micro 4/3 mounts.

January 29 2013 the Sigma 19 / 2.8 Art lens (from this review) for Sony E, Micro 4/3 mounts was presented.

Very important! Lenses Sigma 19mm 1: 2.8 EX DN and Sigma 19/2.8 Art use the same optical design, the same MTF charts, have the same minimum focusing distance, number of aperture blades, etc. In fact, Sigma 19/2.8 Art is a simple update of an older one Sigma 19mm 1: 2.8 EX DN.

Main technical characteristics of Sigma 19mm 1: 2.8 DN A:

Review Instance Name	The lens barrel bears the following markings: 0.2M / 0.66feet-∞ Made in Japan Sigma 19mm 1: 2.8 DN ø46 A + serial number Near the front lens: Sigma 19mm 1: 2.8 DN ø46 MADE IN JAPAN
Basic properties	DN (Digital Neo) - the lens is designed for mirrorless cameras with a crop sensor A (Art) - a line of modern Sigma lenses aimed at maximum optical quality 013 (2013) - lens year marker IF (Iinternal Focusing) - internal focus Full-Time MAnnual Pass Focus - continuous manual focus control Super Multi-layer Coating - super multicoated optics ASP (Aspherical) - aspherical elements in the optical scheme Linear focus motor Electronic focus ring Important: a lens from a third-party manufacturer, which imposes some restrictions on its practical use
Front Filter Diameter	46 mm
Focal length	19 mm, EGF for Sony E APS-C cameras is 28.5mm
Zoom ratio	1 x (this is a fixed lens)
Designed by	for Sony E digital cameras, there are also options for Micro 4/3
Number of aperture blades	7 rounded petals
Tags	bayonet mount mark hood attachment / fixing mark
Diaphragm	F / 2.8 to F / 22
MDF	0.2 meters, maximum magnification ratio 1:7.4
The weight	160 grams (measured)
Optical design	8 elements in 6 groups, including 3 ASP (Aspherical) aspherical element (shown in pink) The image of the optical circuit is clickable. The lens uses the same optical design Sigma 19mm 1: 2.8 EX DN
Lens hood	Plastic, bayonet type
Manufacturer country	MADE IN JAPAN (Lens made in Japan)
Production period	Since 29 January 2013
Price	About $ 200

Other fixes from Sigma ART usually have a much larger aperture ratio than 1: 2.8.

Assembly

Assembled only in Japan.

The Sigma 19 / 2.8 Art is small and lightweight, perfect for Sony NEX / Alpha and Micro 4/3 compact mirrorless cameras. True, for example, the original pancakes for Sony E - Sony E 2.8 / 16  и Sony E 2.8 / 20 much smaller Sigma 19 / 2.8 Art.

The lens uses small 46mm filters. The Sigma 19 / 2.8 Art is one of the smallest lenses in the Sigma ART series. For the dimensions of some of the other Sigma ART lenses I have prepared small video on your Youtube channel.

The focusing ring does not have a rubber insert, it is wide, glossy, and easily gets dirty. The part of the lens closer to the mount is more matte. At first it is difficult to know if the Sigma 19 / 2.8 Art has a focus ring at all.

Lens uses metal bayonet, but not weatherproof.

On the body there is only a bayonet mount mark and a mark for quick installation of the hood. The lens uses a small plastic hood that locks into grooves near the front lens of the lens. The hood can be installed in the opposite direction for transportation. The hood has a grooved ring that makes it easier to manipulate.

The diaphragm consists of 7 blades; at all aperture values, a fairly round aperture is obtained.

Overall build quality is at a high level.

It's important: Sigma 19 / 2.8 Art is available in black and silver body colors.

Focusing

To focus, the lens uses a special linear focus motor.

Very important: parts of the linear motor, and possibly the inner lens group, which is responsible for focusing, hang freely on the off camera (or without it at all). There may be an impression that something is broken in the lens. It looks like loose lens dangling some Sigma lenses with a built-in image stabilizer, where the stabilizing lens group is not suspended in the magnetic field when the camera is turned off and also dangles freely. But as soon as you turn on the camera, in the middle of the Sigma 19 / 2.8 Art the knocking disappears. This is normal behavior.

The motor is very quiet during autofocus. Auto focus speed is fast. The focusing speed is sufficient for comfortable work in most photographic tasks.

With a camera Sony a3500 there were no problems with focusing. The lens worked quickly and accurately. Only in the most difficult situations the camera could not perform the correct focusing.

It's important: The focusing speed depends very much on the camera used. For example, with a budget camera Sony a3500 this lens focuses quickly but is very uncertain due to the contrast-only focusing method.

The focusing ring is electronic, in manual focusing mode it rotates very smoothly and for a long time, it is very difficult to determine the angle of rotation that performs focusing from MDF to infinity. It is convenient to aim manually. In auto focus mode, the focus ring does not rotate and you can hold the lens by it.

Lens has internal focus, the front lens remains stationary during focusing. Optical design and focusing are designed to avoid loss of image quality at different focusing distances. You can use all kinds of filters without any problems.

The closest focusing distance is only 20cm and the maximum zoom ratio is 1: 7.4, which is quite good for a wide-angle lens.

Lens supports continuous manual focus control (Full-Time Manual Focus).

Focus Features:

1. No lens barrel focus mode switch... Switching should be performed via the camera menu or camera controls.
2. There are no useful cues like focusing distance. You don't even know in which direction to rotate the focusing ring to focus towards MDF or infinity.
3. Important: The quality of focusing work of Sigma 19 / 2.8 Art strongly depends on the camera used, as well as on the system used for which the lens is made.
4. The Sigma 19 / 2.8 Art has a slight 'Focus Breathing' effect (changing the angle of view while focusing). When focusing towards the MDF, the angle of view decreases.
5. Focus Shift (focus shift, changing focus distance due to iris)
6. Important: The Sigma 19 / 2.8 Art is a third party lens. It may happen that it will not work correctly with some cameras.

Image quality

The Sigma 19 / 2.8 Art was released in early 2013, when there were already 24 MP APS-C cameras on sale, and therefore, most likely, the lens was immediately designed to work on sensors with a high pixel density. 20 megapixels on my cropped camera with APS-C sensor does not cause any particular problems.

The Sigma 19 / 2.8 Art exhibits moderate optical imperfections. There are chromatic aberrationthat are significant at the edges of the frame. There is also vignetting around one stop at F / 2.8, as well as a little distortion. In the center of the frame at F / 2.8 the lens is very sharp, but in the corners of the frame on APS-C the situation is not good. Overall edges and corners are better than original Sony E 2.8 / 16... Most likely, there will be no significant problems in the corners of the frame on Micro 4/3 cameras. At closed apertures, the lens produces a very sharp image as expected, practically over the entire field of the frame.

Many reviews of this lens have been carried out with the Micro 4/3 family cameras, where it performed better than APS-C (less problems in corners and edges at F / 2.8, less vignetting, aberrations at the edges are not so noticeable).

The Sigma 19 / 2.8 Art has a lens profile in popular RAW converters, which makes it easy to automatically correct some distortions.

Sample photos on Sony a3500 (APS-C)

Camera used for examples Sony a3500 with EXMOR APS-C CMOS 20 MP sensor. All photos are on-camera JPEG. The Sony α3500 cannot shoot exclusively in RAW, but only in RAW+JPEG or JPEG. EGF for Sony E cameras with an APS-C sensor is about 28mm.

RAW source files ('.ARW') can be download from this link (13 files, 200 MB).

My experience

Sigma 19 / 2.8 Art was on my review for a short time and even during the autumn bad weather, so I did not have time to shoot many shots with this lens.

Typically, all ART lenses have their own unique optical design, which was calculated precisely taking into account the high requirements of the Sigma Art line. But the Sigma 19 / 2.8 Art uses the optical design of the older Sigma EX series lens. It turns out that the Sigma 19 / 2.8 Art is not a real 'ART lens'. In general, all three Sigma ART DC 19 / 2.8 lenses, 30/2.8, 60/2.8 very different from their fellows. They have a completely different case design, and still only Sigma ART DC 19 / 2.8, 30/2.8, 60/2.8 use f / 2.8, while all other Sigma ART fixes, except the Sigma ART MACRO, have a much larger maximum aperture, which usually ranges from F / 1.2 to F / 1.8.

Overall a more compact pancake lens Sony E 2.8 / 16 I liked it more.

So far, this is the weakest lens in the Sigma Art line that I have shot. But weak does not mean bad. In general, I would not put the 'ART' mark on this lens.

In general, I got the impression that the lenses Sigma ART DC 19 / 2.8, 30/2.8, 60/2.8 got into this line by accident, and instead of them there should be three lenses with a similar focal length Sigma Contemporary DC DN 16 / 1.4, 30/1.4, 56 / 1.4.

And I also had a question: why are Sigma 16 / 1.4 lenses, 30/1.4, 56 / 1.4 are marked DC DN in their name (DC - for crop, DN - for mirrorless), at the same time, Sigma 19 / 2.8 lenses, 30/2.8, 60/2.8 in their name they have only the DN marking.

All Sigma ART Lenses

The Sigma A (Sigma Art) lens range includes the following lenses:

DG

For full-frame cameras (series DG) with mount Nikon F, Canon EF, Sigma SA:

1. Sigma 14 mm 1: 1.8 DG | A (Art), +L, +E, +Cine, 16/11, December 2017 [cost]
2. Sigma 20 mm 1: 1.4 DG | A (Art), +L, +E, +Cine, 15/11, October 2015 [Price]
3. Sigma 24 mm 1: 1.4 DG | A (Art), +L, +E, +Cine, 15/11, February 2015 [Price]
4. Sigma 28 mm 1: 1.4 DG | A (Art), +L, +E, +Cine, 17/12, September 2018 [Price]
5. Sigma 35 mm 1: 1.4 DG | A (Art), +L, +E, +A, +Pentax, +Cine, 13/11, November 2012 [Price]
6. Sigma 40 mm 1: 1.4 DG | A (Art), +L, +E, +Cine, 16/12, September 2018 [Price]
7. Sigma 50 mm 1: 1.4 DG | A (Art), +L, +E, +A, +Cine, 13/8, January 2014 [Price]
8. Sigma 70 mm 1: 2.8 DG MACRO | | | A (Art), +L, +E, 13/10, February 2018 [Price]
9. Sigma 85 mm 1: 1.4 DG | A (Art), +L, +E, +Cine, 14/12, September 2016 [Price]
10. Sigma 105 mm 1: 1.4 DG | A (Art), +L, +E, +Cine, 17/12, February 2018 [Price]
11. Sigma 135 mm 1: 1.8 DG | A (Art), +L, +E, +Cine, 13/10, March 2017 [Price]
12. Sigma 12-24mm 1: 4 DG | A (Art), 16/11, November 2016
13. Sigma 14-24mm 1: 2.8 DG | A (Art), 17/11, February 2018 [Price]
14. Sigma 24-35mm 1: 2 DG | A (Art), +Cine, 18/13, January 2015 [Price]
15. Sigma 24-70mm 1: 2.8 DG OS | | | A (Art), 19/14, February 2017 [Price]
16. Sigma 24-105mm 1: 4 DG OS | | | A (Art), +A, 19/14, October 2013 [Cost]

DG DN

For full-frame mirrorless cameras (series DG DN) with bayonet Leica l и Sony E:

1. Sigma 14 mm 1: 1.4 DG DN | A (Art), 19/15, June 2023
2. Sigma 15 mm 1: 1.4 DG DN | A (Art) Fisheye, 21/15, February 2024
3. Sigma 20 mm 1: 1.4 DG DN | A (Art), 17/15, August 2022 [Price]
4. Sigma 24 mm 1: 1.4 DG DN | A (Art), 17/14, August 2022 [Price]
5. Sigma 35 mm 1: 1.2 DG DN | A (Art), 17/12, July 2019 [Price]
6. Sigma 35 mm 1: 1.4 DG DN | A (Art), 15/11, April 2021 [Price]
7. Sigma 50 mm 1: 1.2 DG DN | A (Art), 17/12, March 2023
8. Sigma 50 mm 1: 1.4 DG DN | A (Art), 14/11, February 2023 [Price]
9. Sigma 85 mm 1: 1.4 DG DN | A (Art), 15/11, August 2020 [Price]
10. Sigma 105 mm 1: 2.8 DG DN MACRO | A (ART), 12/7, October 2020 [Price]
11. Sigma 14-24mm 1: 2.8 DG DN | A (Art), 18/13, July 2019 [Price]
12. Sigma 24-70mm 1: 2.8 DG DN | A (Art), 19/15, November 2019 [Price]
13. Sigma 24-70mm 1:2.8 DG DN II | A (Art), 19/15, May 2024
14. Sigma 28-45mm 1: 1.8 DG DN | A (Art) +CINE, 18/15, June 2024
15. Sigma 28-105mm 1: 2.8 DG DN | A (Art), 18/13, September 2024

DC

For cropped SLR cameras (series DC) with mount Nikon F, Canon EF, Sigma SA:

1. Sigma 30 mm 1: 1.4 DC | A (Art) +Pentax, +A, 9/8 [1 ASP], January 2013 [Price]
2. Sigma 18-35mm 1: 1.8 DC | A (Art) +Pentax, +A, +Cine, 17/12 [5 SLD, 4 ASP], April 2013 [Price]
3. Sigma 50-100mm 1: 1.8 DC | A (Art) +Cine, 21/15 [4 SLD, 3 FLD, 1 HRI], February 2016 [Price]

DN

For cropped mirrorless cameras (series DN) for Micro 4/3 and Sony E:

1. Sigma 19 mm 1:2.8DN | A (Art), black/silver, 8/6 [3 ASP], January 2013 [Price]
2. Sigma 30 mm 1:2.8DN | A (Art), black/silver, 7/5 [2 ASP], January 2013
3. Sigma 60 mm 1:2.8DN | A (Art), black/silve, 8/6 [1 ASP, 1 SLD], January 2013

Abbreviations:

• +L means that there is a version of the lens adapted to work on mirrorless cameras with a bayonet mount Leica l
• +E means that there is a version of the lens adapted to work on mirrorless cameras with a bayonet mount Sony E/Sony FE
• + Pentax means that there is a version of the lens with a Pentax K mount (rare)
• +A means that there is a version of the lens with Sony A mount (rarity)
• + Cine means that there is a version of the lens adapted for video shooting, usually CINE versions are released simultaneously for ARRI PL, Canon EF and Sony E
• black / silver - case available in black (black) and silver (silver)
• 19 / 15, 7 / 5 and similar designations indicate the number of optical elements and groups in the optical scheme of the lens

Additionally, you can look at all lenses SIGMA CONTEMPORARY (C) и all lenses SIGMA SPORT (S). Here here there is a short video about the rulers and markings of Sigma lenses.

All Sony E-mount cameras with APS-C sensor

• NEX-3, NEX-C3, NEX-F3, NEX-3Women
• NEX-5, NEX-5N, NEX-5R, NEX-5T
• NEX-6, NEX-7
• a3000, a3500
• a5000, a5100
• a6000, a6100, a6300, a6400, a6500, a6600, a6700
• ZV-E10, ZV-E10 II
• FX30
• QX1
• Hasselblad lunar

All Sony E lenses for APS-C

Fix Lenses:

1. Sony 11 mm f/1.8 (announcement) [2022, black, BHphotovideo]
2. Sony 15 mm f / 1.4 G (announcement) [2022, black, BHphotovideo]
3. Sony 16 mm f/2.8 (overview) [2010, silver, BHphotovideo]
4. Sony 20 mm f/2.8 (announcement) [2013, silver, BHphotovideo]
5. Sony 24 mm f / 1.8 ZEISS ZA (overview) [2011, black, BHphotovideo]
6. Sony 30 mm f / 3.5 MACRO (overview) [2011, silver, BHphotovideo]
7. Sony 35 mm f / 1.8 OSS (announcement) [2012, black, BHphotovideo]
8. Sony 50 mm f / 1.8 OSS (announcement) [2011, black/silver, BHphotovideo]

Zoom Lenses:

1. Sony 10-18mm f / 4 OSS (announcement) [2012, black, BHphotovideo]
2. Sony 10-20mm f / 4 G PZ (announcement) [2022, black, BHphotovideo]
3. Sony 16-50mm f / 3.5-5.6 PZ OSS (overview) [2012, black/silver, BHphotovideo]
4. Sony 16-50mm f / 3.5-5.6 PZ OSS II (announcement) [2024, black/silver, BHphotovideo]
5. Sony 16-55mm f / 2.8 G (overview) [2019, black, BHphotovideo]
6. Sony 16-70mm f / 4 OSS ZEISS ZA (overview) [2013, black, BHphotovideo]
7. Sony 18-50mm f/4-5.6 (overview) [2014, black]
8. Sony 18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6 OSS (overview) [2010, black/silver, BHphotovideo]
9. Sony 18-105mm f / 4 G PZ OSS (overview) [2013, black, BHphotovideo]
10. Sony 18-110mm f / 4 G PZ OSS (announcement) [2016, black, BHphotovideo]
    
11. Sony 18-135mm f / 3.5-5.6 OSS (overview) [2018, black, BHphotovideo]
12. Sony 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 OSS (overview) [2010, silver, BHphotovideo]
13. Sony 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 OSS LE (overview) [2012, black, BHphotovideo]
14. Sony 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 PZ OSS (announcement) [2012, black, BHphotovideo]
    
15. Sony 55-210mm f / 4.5-6.3 OSS (announcement) [2011, black/silver, BHphotovideo]
16. Sony 70-350mm f/4.5–6.3 G OSS (announcement) [2019, black, BHphotovideo]

Third-party autofocus lenses for Sony E APS-C:

• Sigma: Sigma C 16 / 1.4 | Sigma A 19 / 2.8 | Sigma EX 19 / 2.8 | Sigma C 30 / 1.4 | Sigma EX 30 / 2.8 | Sigma A 30 / 2.8 | Sigma C 56 / 1.4 | Sigma A 60 / 2.8 | Sigma C 10-18 / 2.8 | Sigma C 18-50 / 2.8
• felttrox: Viltrox 13 / 1.4 | Viltrox 23 / 1.4 | felttrox 27/1.2 | Viltrox 33 / 1.4 | Viltrox 56 / 1.7 | Viltrox 56 / 1.4 | felttrox 75/1.2
• Tamron: Tamron 11-20 / 2.8 | Tamron 17-70 / 2.8 VC | Tamron 18-200 / 3.5-6.3 VC | Tamron 18-300 / 3.5-6.3 VC
• tokina: Tokina 23 / 1.4 | Tokina 33 / 1.4 | Tokina 56 / 1.4 | Tokina 11-18 / 2.8
• Zeiss: Zeiss Touit Distagon 12/2.8 | Zeiss Touit Planar 32/1.8 | Zeiss Touit Makro Planar 50/2.8M
• Hasselblad: Hasselblad E 3.5-5.6 / 18-55 OSS LF | Hasselblad E 3.5-6.3 / 18-200 OSS LF | Hasselblad E 2.8 / 16 LF
• yongnuo: Yongnuo 11 / 1.8 | Yongnuo 16 / 1.8 | Yongnuo 23 / 1.4 | Yongnuo 33 / 1.4 | Yongnuo 50 / 1.8 | Yongnuo 50 / 1.8 II | Yongnuo 56 / 1.4
• TTArtisan: TTArtisan 27 / 2.8 | TTArtisan 35 / 1.8 | TTArtisan 56 / 1.8
• Brightin star: Brightin Star 50 / 1.4
• Meike: Meike 33 / 1.4 | Meike 55 / 1.4
• 7Artisans: 7Artisans 27 / 2.8
• Samyang: Samyang 12 / 2

Many interesting manual solutions are provided by Chinese manufacturers and brands. 7Artisans, TTartisan, Meike, Neewer, PerGear, Kamlan, Brightin star, Mitakon Zhongyi, Venus laowa, Fujian, ARTRALAB, AstrHori other. Autofocus Speed ​​Boosters are also interesting Viltrox Canon EF -> Sony E 0.71X и Metabones Canon EF -> Sony E 0.71X... List of full-frame cameras and lenses Sony FE (Full Frame E) here

Results

The Sigma 19 / 2.8 Art is an inexpensive, lightweight and fairly compact wide-angle prime. A good alternative for original Sony E 2.8 / 16  и Sony E 2.8 / 20. Optically this is a complete copy of the previous version Sigma 19mm 1: 2.8 EX DN.

10 main advantages:

1. good resolution at f / 2.8 in the center of the frame
2. compact size, light weight
3. low cost (around $ 200 for a new lens)
4. fast focusing with linear motor
5. very quiet focusing
6. internal focusing, fixed focus ring during auto focus
7. continuous manual focus control, electronic focus ring
8. good build quality, metal mount
9. the optical design uses 3 aspherical elements
   
10. the lens belongs to the Sigma Art line with very high image quality and build criteria

10 main disadvantages:

1. optical design taken from an older one Sigma 19mm 1: 2.8 EX DN
2. strange design, not found in many other lenses in the Sigma ART series
3. only 7 aperture blades (typical Sigma ART lenses use 9+ blades)
4. for silver version only black hood is available
5. there are no additional marks (focusing distance, depth of field, etc.)
6. no built-in image stabilizer
7. glossy body parts get dirty easily
8. in the off state, the linear motor and / or internal lenses are loose
9. difficult to find on sale
10. severe drop in sharpness in the far corners of the frame on APS-C, serious chromatic aberration in the corners of the frame

According provided by Sigma 19 / 2.8 Art lens (for Sony E cameras) many thanks the store ProFotoSalewhere you can find many new and used lenses for different systems, including Similar Sigma Lenses.

Materials on the topic

1. Full frame mirrorless systems... Discussion, choice, recommendations.
2. Cropped mirrorless systems... Discussion, choice, recommendations.
3. Cropped mirrorless systems that have stopped or are no longer developing
4. Digital SLR systems that have stopped or are no longer developing
5. JVI or EVI (an important article that answers the question 'DSLR or mirrorless')
6. About mirrorless batteries
7. Simple and clear medium format
8. High-speed solutions from Chinese brands
9. All fastest autofocus zoom lenses
10. All fastest AF prime lenses
11. Mirrored full frame on mirrorless medium format
12. Autofocus Speed ​​Boosters
13. One lens to rule the world
14. The impact of smartphones on the photography market
15. What's next (smartphone supremacy)?
16. All announcements and novelties of lenses and cameras

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Material prepared Arkady Shapoval.