Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN C
Summary
The Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN C is a solid optical performer — a ultra-wide prime (24mm equivalent) with f/1.4 maximum aperture. The lens is priced at approximately ~$500 USD. Please check the official product page for sample images, manuals, and firmware updates.
Genre Suitability
- Excellent for: Street
- Adequate for: Landscape, Travel, Portrait, Sport, Wildlife
- Avoid for: Nightscape, Architecture, Macro
Strengths
- Smooth, pleasant bokeh
- Weather-sealed construction
- Fast linear motor autofocus
Weaknesses
- Noticeably soft corners wide open
- Noticeable coma in the corners wide open
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
- Noticeable distortion visible in architectural subjects
- Noticeable vignetting wide open
- Low macro capability (0.1x magnification)
Specifications 19/20
| Optical construction | 16 elements in 13 groups (2 aspherical, 3 FLD, 2 SLD) |
| Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating |
| Focal length | 16mm |
| Max aperture | f/1.4 |
| Sweet spot | f/2.8 |
| Aperture blades | 9 (circular) |
| Sunstar points | 18 (soft — circular blades) |
| Max magnification | 0.1x |
| Min focus distance | 250mm |
| AF motor | LM |
| OIS | No |
| Weather sealed | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| Clickless aperture | — |
| Focus ring | Yes |
| Focus by wire | Yes |
| Distance scale | No |
| Rotating front | No |
| Tripod mount | No |
| Weight | 415g |
| Diameter | 72.2mm |
| Length | 90.3mm |
| Filter thread | 67mm |
| Year | 2017 |
MTF Charts
| Position | 10S | 10M | 30S | 30M |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Center | 0.96 | 0.96 | 0.81 | 0.79 |
| 2.5mm | 0.96 | 0.96 | 0.82 | 0.79 |
| 5mm | 0.96 | 0.96 | 0.82 | 0.77 |
| 7.5mm | 0.96 | 0.96 | 0.78 | 0.74 |
| 10mm | 0.93 | 0.95 | 0.68 | 0.72 |
| 12.5mm | 0.83 | 0.93 | 0.59 | 0.64 |
| 14mm | 0.71 | 0.89 | 0.50 | 0.56 |
Optical Quality 13/14
| Center (wide open) | 1.0 |
| Corner (wide open) | 0.5 |
| Center (stopped) | 2.0 |
| Corner (stopped) | 1.0 |
| Coma | 0.5 |
| Astigmatism | 1.0 |
| Spherical aberration | 1.0 |
| Longitudinal CA | 0.5 |
| Lateral CA | 1.5 |
| Distortion | 0.5 |
| Vignetting (wide open) | 0.5 |
| Vignetting (stopped) | 2.0 |
| Bokeh | 1.5 |
Sharpness
- Acceptable center sharpness wide open
- Noticeably soft corners wide open
- Outstanding center resolution stopped down
- Acceptable corner sharpness stopped down
Aberrations
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
- Well-controlled lateral CA
- Noticeable coma in the corners wide open
- Moderate astigmatism
- Moderate spherical aberration
Rendering
- Smooth, pleasant bokeh
- Noticeable vignetting wide open
- Vignetting essentially gone by f/5.6
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
✗ Nightscape Photography 2/5
Nightscape Photography prioritizes coma control, astigmatism correction, and a fast aperture for short star exposures.
- Noticeable coma in the corners wide open
- Moderate astigmatism
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- Well-controlled lateral CA
- Acceptable center sharpness wide open
- Noticeably soft corners wide open
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
- Noticeable vignetting wide open
- Moderate spherical aberration
~ Landscape Photography 3/5
Landscape Photography prioritizes corner-to-corner sharpness at stopped-down apertures and good flare resistance.
- Acceptable corner sharpness stopped down
- Outstanding center resolution stopped down
- Noticeable distortion visible in architectural subjects
- Well-controlled lateral CA
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
- Vignetting essentially gone by f/5.6
- Moderate astigmatism
- Noticeable coma in the corners wide open
✗ Architecture Photography 2/5
Architecture Photography prioritizes geometric precision with minimal distortion and even corner sharpness.
- Acceptable corner sharpness stopped down
- Outstanding center resolution stopped down
- Noticeable distortion visible in architectural subjects
- Well-controlled lateral CA
- Vignetting essentially gone by f/5.6
✓ Street Photography 4/5
Street Photography prioritizes sharp stopped-down performance and a fast enough aperture for low light.
- Outstanding center resolution stopped down
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- Acceptable center sharpness wide open
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
- Noticeable coma in the corners wide open
~ Travel Photography 3/5
Travel Photography prioritizes balanced image quality in a lightweight package.
- Outstanding center resolution stopped down
- Heavy at 415g
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
~ Portrait Photography 3/5
Portrait Photography prioritizes smooth bokeh and critical center sharpness wide open for subject isolation.
- Smooth, pleasant bokeh
- Acceptable center sharpness wide open
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
- Moderate spherical aberration
- Noticeable vignetting wide open
~ Sport Photography 3/5
Sport Photography prioritizes sharp wide-open center performance to freeze action at fast shutter speeds.
- Acceptable center sharpness wide open
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
- Well-controlled lateral CA
~ Wildlife Photography 3/5
Wildlife Photography prioritizes center sharpness across apertures for distant subjects.
- Acceptable center sharpness wide open
- Outstanding center resolution stopped down
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
- Well-controlled lateral CA
✗ Macro Photography 1/5
Macro Photography prioritizes stopped-down center sharpness and high magnification for close-up detail.
- Outstanding center resolution stopped down
- Low magnification (0.1x)
- Noticeable distortion visible in architectural subjects
- Well-controlled lateral CA
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
- Moderate spherical aberration
- Smooth, pleasant bokeh