Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG Art Lens for Sony E

Key Features

• Premium medium-telephoto Art prime for full-frame cameras
• High resolving power from maximum aperture
• 13-blade rounded diaphragm
• Dual HLA actuators for fast, quiet and precise AF
• Class-leading 905g weight for easier handheld use
• Two AFL buttons plus aperture lock and click/de-click controls
• Suppressed focus breathing for natural video transitions
• Dust and splash-resistant construction
• Water- and oil-repellent front coating
• Completes Sigma’s trio alongside the 35mm and 50mm models

Product Summary

This lens earns its place on rendering. Wide open, it gives you precise control over depth of field, isolating a glance, expression or portrait details while the surroundings fall smoothly away.

That aperture also means freedom with light. Weddings move from bright exteriors to dim receptions, while events shift between lighting and shadow. At f/1.2 there is greater scope to preserve the atmosphere, backed by high resolving power at maximum aperture for which the Art-series is know. A 13-blade rounded diaphragm renders smooth, natural bokeh.

It’s also the third member of a professional trio of primes spanning popular focal lengths. Alongside the 35mm F1.2 DG II Art and 50mm F1.2 DG DN Art, it completes set for weddings, events, portraits and performance, with three distinct perspectives and the creative possibilities of f/1.2 throughout.

At 905g, this remains remarkably portable for an f/1.2 prime, while a floating focus system and dual HLA autofocus provide the speed and precision needed when subjects move through an exceptionally shallow plane of focus.

In More Detail

Advanced optics driving artistic rendering

The optical design uses 17 elements in 12 groups, including two SLD and three aspherical elements, together with glass featuring high anomalous dispersion. These suppress axial chromatic aberration, spherical aberration and sagittal coma flare, maintaining high resolving power from f/1.2 so fine expression and texture remain clearly rendered at maximum aperture.

Portrait rendering and natural bokeh

With depth of field this shallow, the transition matters as much as the blur itself. Sigma suppresses colour bleeding and double-line bokeh so sharp detail falls naturally into defocused areas, while the 13-blade diaphragm maintains rounded highlights as the aperture closes. The subject holds presence while the background gently falls away.

Working with backlight

Flare and ghosting have been addressed using advanced simulation of incident light, helping to retain clarity when shooting towards strong illumination. That gives photographers more freedom to incorporate window light, low sun or stage lighting into the composition.

Sophisticated focusing in a smaller design

Placing aspherical elements within the focus groups significantly reduces the number of elements that need to move, allowing a complex floating mechanism to be incorporated while keeping the overall design manageable. Dual HLA actuators drive the system quickly and quietly.

Physical controls for stills and video

Two AFL buttons can be assigned to different functions through compatible camera menus, while the aperture ring includes both a lock and click/de-click switch. These provide direct control whether shooting stills or changing exposure smoothly during video capture.

Natural focus transitions for video

The focus-group arrangement and aspherical shapes are optimised to minimise changes in angle of view as focus shifts. This suppression of focus breathing produces more natural-looking transitions when moving between subjects during a shot.

Built for professional use

High-strength TSC components provide rigidity while helping to control weight, complemented by a dust and splash-resistant structure and water- and oil-repellent coating on the front element. It is equipped for demanding outdoor assignments, although the construction is explicitly not waterproof.

Learn more in our comprehensive 85mm F1.2 DG Art Review where wee have more sample images, and compare it to the F1.4.

Sample images

Sample 01 ©Doãn Quang. Settings: 1/500 sec. f/1.2. ISO 50

Sample 02 ©Doãn Quang. Settings: 1/160 sec. f/4.5. ISO 125

Sample 03 ©Tony Noel. Settings: 1/16000 sec. f/1.2. ISO 100

Sample 04 ©Kazuyuki Hagiwara. Settings: 1/2500 sec. f/1.2. ISO 160

Specifications

What's in the Box

• Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG | Art
• Pouch
• LH878-08 lens hood
• LCF-82 IV front cap
• LCR III rear cap