Sigma Introduces a Compact Contemporary 28-70mm f/2.8 Zoom Lens for Mirrorless Cameras

Sigma has announced a fascinating new f/2.8 standard zoom lens as part of its Contemporary lens line, and true to the Contemporary’s core concept, this 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens affords that elusive balance of performance and portability. It is currently the smallest and lightest full-frame f/2.8 standard zoom lens on the market and is available for Sony E-mount and Leica L-mount mirrorless cameras.

Based on the optical design of the successful Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art lens, this 28-70mm lens is decidedly lighter and more compact than its slightly faster stablemate. By still maintaining a common and convenient range of focal lengths, along with the bright f/2.8 constant maximum aperture, this lens should entice many photographers looking for a standard zoom that doesn’t overwhelm their smaller size mirrorless camera body.

The advanced optical design of the new lens includes three aspherical, two FLD, and two SLD elements, and despite using fewer total elements than the 24-70mm f/2.8 Art lens, the design corrects axial chromatic aberration and sagittal coma aberration for sharp images, from the center to the edges of the frame. Along with its anti-ghosting design, the use of a Super Multi-Layer Coating controls flare for high-contrast results.

The lens features a water- and oil-repellent coating on the front element, has a dust- and splash-proof structure only at the mount, and features fewer and smaller switches on the barrel than the Art lens. Each of these design refinements result in the smallest and lightest lens in its class. The new lens also houses just one lightweight focusing element, which keeps the AF unit small, and with a quiet stepping motor, the internal focus system provides near-silent autofocus performance that is useful for both stills and video capture.

Sigma continues to evolve its compact lens options while maintaining the optical performance of its most notable lenses. In my experience using Sigma’s Contemporary and Art series lenses, they both are able to withstand the dings of day-to-day use. If anything, the smaller size protects the Contemporary lenses from the heavier bumps and “strap swing” caused by bigger lenses. Not to mention they are often better balanced on the camera, more comfortable on the neck, and have simple control settings.

This Contemporary series 28-70mm f/2.8 L-mount lens weighs just 1 lb, compared to the 1.8 lb of the 24-70mm Art lens, and its barrel diameter is 72mm (67mm filter) compared to 88mm (82mm filter). Some photographers may choose to note the slightly wider angle of view and robustness of the Art series lens, but I see this new Contemporary lens as truly leveraging the technological and design attributes of mirrorless cameras to provide a simple, efficient, and—foremost—compact, wide aperture, zoom lens.

Let us know your thoughts on the Sigma Contemporary series lenses and your prospective uses for this new 28-70mm f/2.8 lens in the Comments section, below.

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