Sigma 12mm f/1.4 DC DN C

Summary

The Sigma 12mm f/1.4 DC DN C is a solid optical performer — a ultra-wide prime (18mm equivalent) with f/1.4 maximum aperture. The lens is priced at approximately ~$750 USD. Please check the official product page for sample images, manuals, and firmware updates.

Genre Suitability

  • Excellent for: Street, Travel, Sport, Wildlife
  • Adequate for: Landscape, Portrait
  • Avoid for: Architecture, Macro

Strengths

  • Well-controlled aberrations
  • Good flare resistance
  • Weather-sealed construction
  • Fast linear motor autofocus

Weaknesses

  • Noticeable distortion visible in architectural subjects
  • Noticeable vignetting wide open
  • Low macro capability (0.119x magnification)

Specifications 20/20

Optical construction14 elements in 12 groups (3 aspherical, 2 SLD)
CoatingSuper Multi-Layer Coating
Focal length12mm
Max aperturef/1.4
Sweet spotf/2.8
Aperture blades9 (circular)
Sunstar points18 (soft — circular blades)
Max magnification0.119x
Min focus distance172mm
AF motorLM
OISNo
Weather sealedYes
Aperture ringYes
Clickless apertureNo
Focus ringYes
Focus by wireYes
Distance scaleNo
Rotating frontNo
Tripod mountNo
Weight250g
Diameter69mm
Length67.4mm
Filter thread62mm
Year2024

MTF Charts

f/1.40.00.20.40.60.81.0C1.42.84.25.678.49.811.212.614Image height (mm)
10 lp/mm S 10 lp/mm M 30 lp/mm S 30 lp/mm M
Position10S10M30S30M
Center0.980.980.890.89
1.4mm0.980.980.880.88
2.8mm0.980.980.880.87
4.2mm0.980.980.880.86
5.6mm0.980.970.870.84
7mm0.980.970.860.83
8.4mm0.980.970.850.81
9.8mm0.970.960.810.79
11.2mm0.960.960.750.78
12.6mm0.940.950.680.74
14mm0.930.910.670.62

Source: Official manufacturer specifications

Optical Quality 12/14

Center (wide open)
1.5
Corner (wide open)
1.0
Center (stopped)
1.5
Corner (stopped)
1.0
Astigmatism
1.5
Longitudinal CA
1.5
Lateral CA
2.0
Distortion
0.5
Vignetting (wide open)
0.5
Vignetting (stopped)
1.5
Bokeh
1.0
Flare resistance
2.0

Sharpness

  • Good center sharpness wide open
  • Acceptable corner sharpness wide open
  • Good center resolution stopped down
  • Acceptable corner sharpness stopped down

Aberrations

  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Well-controlled astigmatism

Rendering

  • Acceptable bokeh rendering
  • Noticeable vignetting wide open
  • Vignetting clears well when stopped down
  • Excellent flare resistance — backlit scenes handled confidently

Distortion

  • Noticeable distortion visible in architectural subjects

All optical scores are based on lab measurements and field tests from trusted review sources. For details on how we score lenses, see our scoring methodology.

Genre Fit

~LandscapeAdequate✗ArchitectureAvoid✓StreetGood✓TravelGood~PortraitAdequate✓SportGood✓WildlifeGood✗MacroAvoid

~Landscape Photography3/5

Landscape Photography prioritizes corner-to-corner sharpness at stopped-down apertures and good flare resistance.

Primary
  • Acceptable corner sharpness stopped down
  • Good center resolution stopped down
Secondary
  • Noticeable distortion visible in architectural subjects
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Vignetting clears well when stopped down
  • Excellent flare resistance — backlit scenes handled confidently
  • Well-controlled astigmatism

✗Architecture Photography2/5

Architecture Photography prioritizes geometric precision with minimal distortion and even corner sharpness.

Primary
  • Acceptable corner sharpness stopped down
  • Good center resolution stopped down
  • Noticeable distortion visible in architectural subjects
Secondary
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Vignetting clears well when stopped down
  • Excellent flare resistance — backlit scenes handled confidently

✓Street Photography4/5

Street Photography prioritizes sharp stopped-down performance and a fast enough aperture for low light.

Primary
  • Good center resolution stopped down
  • Fast f/1.4 aperture
Secondary
  • Good center sharpness wide open
  • Excellent flare resistance — backlit scenes handled confidently
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA

✓Travel Photography4/5

Travel Photography prioritizes balanced image quality in a lightweight package.

Primary
  • Good center resolution stopped down
  • Lightweight at 250g
Secondary
  • Fast f/1.4 aperture
  • Excellent flare resistance — backlit scenes handled confidently
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA

~Portrait Photography3/5

Portrait Photography prioritizes smooth bokeh and critical center sharpness wide open for subject isolation.

Primary
  • Acceptable bokeh rendering
  • Good center sharpness wide open
Secondary
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Noticeable vignetting wide open

✓Sport Photography4/5

Sport Photography prioritizes sharp wide-open center performance to freeze action at fast shutter speeds.

Primary
  • Good center sharpness wide open
Secondary
  • Fast f/1.4 aperture
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration

✓Wildlife Photography4/5

Wildlife Photography prioritizes center sharpness across apertures for distant subjects.

Primary
  • Good center sharpness wide open
  • Good center resolution stopped down
Secondary
  • Fast f/1.4 aperture
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration

✗Macro Photography1/5

Macro Photography prioritizes stopped-down center sharpness and high magnification for close-up detail.

Primary
  • Good center resolution stopped down
  • Low magnification (0.119x)
Secondary
  • Noticeable distortion visible in architectural subjects
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Acceptable bokeh rendering

Reviews

Dustin Abbott

Alternatives

Fujifilm XF 14mm f/2.8 RSamyang 14mm f/2.8 ED AS IF UMCViltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 STMSamyang 10mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS CSSamyang 12mm f/2.0 NCS CSFujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WRSigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN CTamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD
Back to Lens Explorer