1.2 Art Is Official, But Canon RF Shooters Are Out in the Cold

Key Points:

• Sigma has announced the Sigma 85mm f/1.2 DG Art lens for Sony E and L mounts, notably excluding Nikon and Canon mounts, which is significant given the 85mm f/1.2 is a core lens for many manufacturers.
• Priced at $1,599 USD, the Sigma lens is considerably more affordable than Canon's RF 85mm f/1.2L USM, which costs $2,799 USD, despite the Sigma outperforming the Canon optically at the pixel level.
• The Sigma lens features a more complex optical design with 17 elements in 12 groups compared to Canon's 13 elements in 9 groups, and it is lighter at 905g versus Canon's 1,195g; it also has 13 aperture blades compared to Canon's 9.
• In MTF testing, both lenses perform similarly in contrast at 10 lp/mm, but the Sigma maintains higher sharpness across the frame at 30 lp/mm, especially in the corners, where the Canon shows a noticeable drop in resolution.
• While the Canon 85mm f/1.2L is seven years old and may soon be updated, Sigma’s new lens offers a compelling alternative for E and L mount users, though the lack of an RF mount version is a disappointment for Canon shooters.