Sigma 16 28mm F 2 8 DG DN Contemporary Review | 54 Data compared

The Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary is a compact, lightweight wide-angle zoom lens designed for mirrorless Sony E and Leica L-mount systems, serving as an ideal companion to Sigma’s 28-70mm F2.8 zoom. Weighing just 450 grams and utilizing a 72mm front filter thread, it offers a wider focal length than its main rival, the Tamron 17-28mm, while maintaining a similarly travel-friendly footprint. Performance-wise, the lens features a stepping motor (STM) that delivers fast, quiet, and highly accurate autofocus for both stills and video, with minimal focus breathing. Optically, the lens produces exceptionally crisp, high-contrast results in the centre of the frame even at F2.8, while successfully controlling lateral and longitudinal chromatic aberrations across the board. However, its expanded wide-angle range introduces distinct optical compromises. The review highlights a heavy, complex barrel distortion and strong vignette at 16mm, alongside noticeable pincushion distortion at the 28mm telephoto end, meaning users must rely heavily on digital correction profiles. Additional cons include a zoom ring that rotates in the opposite direction of native Sony lenses, mixed flare resistance depending on sun placement, and...

The Sigma 16-28mm f2.8 DG DN is a highly recommended ultra-wide to standard-wide zoom lens designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras, initially launching in Sony E and Leica L mounts. It is praised for providing a bright, fixed f2.8 aperture in a remarkably compact body that measures 100mm long and weighs just 420g. Key advantages include fast, silent, and reliable autofocusing for both stills and video, alongside an internal zooming mechanism that keeps the barrel from extending, making it highly ideal for gimbal users. Optically, it delivers sharp details across the frame even when shooting wide-open at f2.8, while undercutting the price of competitors like Sony's first-party lenses. However, the lens makes a few compromises to achieve its budget-friendly and lightweight design. Its primary limitation is a relatively short 1.75x focal range that stops at 28mm rather than the traditional 35mm reach. It lacks optical image stabilization, meaning users must rely on camera body stabilization, and weather sealing is limited strictly to a rubber grommet at the mount. Furthermore, the lens relies heavily on software profiles to correct visible barrel distortion...

The Sigma 16-28mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens is a highly portable full-frame wide-angle zoom designed for L-mount and E-mount cameras. The reviewer notes that its build quality is excellent, utilising a Thermally Stable Composite material that remains solid while keeping the lens extremely lightweight at 450 g. A standout design choice is its inner zoom mechanism, which prevents the lens barrel from expanding during use. Optically, the lens delivers tack-sharp performance in the centre at f2.8, with well-maintained corner sharpness and effective Super Multi-Layer Coating to combat flare. Furthermore, its stepping motor ensures that autofocusing is nearly instantaneous, highly accurate, and silent. The review details distinct pros and cons for prospective buyers. The pros include its compact size, dust- and splash-resistant brass bayonet mount, superb image quality, and affordable $899 price tag. It also produces smooth, non-distracting bokeh and pairs seamlessly with a variety of small and large camera bodies. On the other hand, the primary cons are the total lack of built-in optical image stabilisation and minor vignetting when shooting wide open at f2.8, though this mostly disappears...

The Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary is an affordable, ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed for full-frame Sony E-mount and L-mount mirrorless cameras, earning a highly recommended 4.5 out of 5-star rating. Priced at £750, it offers exceptional value for money compared to pricier alternatives like the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 G Master or the Tamron 17-28mm F/2.8. Key advantages include its compact and lightweight design—weighing just 450g—and an internal zoom mechanism that keeps the physical length fixed at 100.6mm, making it ideal for gimbal use. Performance-wise, the lens delivers excellent, sharp image quality across the frame even when wide open at F2.8, backed by a fast, quiet stepping motor autofocus system and a versatile 25cm close-focusing distance. However, the lens does compromise on certain hardware and optical traits to maintain its compact footprint and low price point. Notable physical omissions include a complete lack of optical image stabilisation and the absence of a dedicated manual aperture ring. Optically, the lens relies heavily on in-camera digital profile corrections; when uncorrected, raw files exhibit highly noticeable barrel distortion at 16mm and pincushion...

The Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens is highlighted by The-Digital-Picture.com as a highly portable, affordable ultra-wide-angle option, featuring a lightweight 450g design, internal zooming, and excellent edge-to-edge sharpness with minimal flares. Its fast, quiet autofocus and constant maximum aperture make it a strong contender for landscape, travel, and gimbal-based videography. Conversely, compromises to meet this price point include a shorter 28mm maximum focal length, lacking the 35mm reach of some competitors. The lens also lacks optical image stabilization and features only basic weather sealing, along with a lack of a dedicated aperture ring, per the review.

The Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary is a compact, lightweight (450g) full-frame ultra-wide zoom designed for portability, featuring an internal zoom/focus mechanism that prevents barrel extension and keeps the center of gravity stable for gimbal use. Its optical formula includes 16 elements in 11 groups, featuring five FLD and four aspherical elements to control aberrations, alongside a 72mm filter thread and a 25cm (9.9 in) minimum focusing distance. While offering high-end image quality, the lens lacks internal optical stabilization, relying solely on camera-based IBIS. Additionally, the Contemporary series construction offers limited weather sealing compared to premium lenses, and the 28mm maximum focal length is narrower than some competitors.

The Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary is a compact, full-frame ultra-wide zoom lens designed for Sony E-mount and L-mount mirrorless cameras, retailing at $899. Reviewer Matthew Saville highlights its incredible value, portability, and exceptional sharpness, noting that it delivers professional "Art-series" optical results while weighing less than a pound (450g). Key performance advantages include its constant, fast f/2.8 aperture—making it ideal for low-light weddings, landscape, and Milky Way astrophotography—and an internal zooming mechanism that retains a fixed center of gravity, which is excellent for video shooters balancing a gimbal. Mechanically, it is robustly built with weather-sealing, handles 72mm front filters, yields soft background bokeh via a 9-rounded-blade aperture, and features a highly useful physical AF/MF toggle switch. Despite its high praise, the review points out a few specific drawbacks to consider before purchasing. The lens relies heavily on in-camera or software lens correction profiles to fix significant optical distortion and heavy vignetting, particularly visible at the 16mm wide end. Its autofocus performance is slightly less robust than Sigma's top-tier "Art" or "Sports" lines, resulting in a marginally higher low-light...

The Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary is a compact, lightweight wide-angle zoom lens designed for Sony E and Leica L-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras. Aiming to compete with the Tamron 17-28mm, this lens provides a slightly wider maximum viewing angle of 107 degrees and maintains a fast, constant f/2.8 aperture throughout its zoom range. Structurally, it features a robust, weather-sealed build with a coated brass mounting plate, and utilizes fully internal zoom and focus mechanisms that keep its center of gravity fixed, making it highly ideal for gimbal use. Optically, the lens delivers impressive sharpness and clarity across the frame—even when shot wide-open at f/2.8—while effectively minimizing ghosting, flare, and axial chromatic aberrations.

The Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens is a highly compact, lightweight (450g) wide-angle optic delivering exceptional central sharpness and a constant f/2.8 aperture, making it an excellent, high-value choice for full-frame mirrorless cameras. The lens features a robust brass mount, fast and silent autofocus, and excellent flare resistance, ideal for travel and landscape photography. Cons include a lack of full weather sealing on the main barrel, relying only on a mount gasket, along with visible chromatic aberration at the 16mm edge before software correction. Additionally, the design lacks advanced physical controls like an aperture ring, prioritizing a minimalist, compact form factor over premium Art-line features.