Sigma Contemporary 12mm f/1.4 DC Contemporary 12mm
Its bright f/1.4 maximum aperture, lightweight 250g build, and weather-sealed body deliver a 19.2mm full-frame equivalent field of view, making it a standout ultra-wide APS-C prime. The stepping motor AF provides quiet, precise focusing with minimal breathing, complemented by water- and oil-repellent coatings and dust/splash-resistant construction for reliable outdoor use. This lens is best for Canon RF APS-C shooters needing a compact, fast ultra-wide for vlogging, low-light interiors, and close-up landscape or street work.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong build (89th percentile) 89th
- Strong optical (87th percentile) 87th
- Strong af (87th percentile) 87th
- Strong macro (85th percentile) 85th
Cons
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews — so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 11 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 12 |
| Focal Length Max | 12 |
| Elements | 14 |
| Groups | 12 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3 |
| ED Elements | 2 |
| Coating | Water- and Oil-Repellent Coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | 16 |
| Min Aperture | 1.4 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Canon RF |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.5 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 62 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | stepping motor |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 172 |
| Max Magnification | 1:8.4 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Sigma Contemporary 12mm f/1.4 DC Contemporary 12mm | Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD | Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR | Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 | Viltrox 13mm F1.4 f/1.4 E STM Auto Focus Ultra Wide Angle | Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 12mm | 18-300mm | 28-400mm | 50-200mm | 13mm | 18-135mm |
| Max Aperture | 16 | f/3.5 | f/4 | f/2.8 | f/1.4 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Canon RF | Fuji X | Nikon Z | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E | Canon EF-S |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | false | true | true | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 225 | 92 | 726 | 655 | 415 | 515 |
| AF Type | stepping motor | VXD linear motor | STM | linear motor | STM | STM |
| Lens Type | prime | zoom | zoom | telephoto | Wide-Angle | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Af | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma Contemporary 12mm f/1.4 DC Contemporary 12mm | 86.9 | 44.8 | 88.7 | 85.4 | 87 | 49.5 | 44.3 | 34.2 | 46.6 | 36 |
| Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Compare | 98.3 | 74.9 | 96.6 | 87.7 | 74.6 | 76.9 | 30.2 | 99.2 | 83.1 | 81.3 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR Compare | 86.9 | 77.8 | 51.6 | 81.3 | 97 | 71.2 | 0 | 98.9 | 83.1 | 98.3 |
| Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 Compare | 98.3 | 86.1 | 55.3 | 23.1 | 95.9 | 83.7 | 91.7 | 88.3 | 65.9 | 96.4 |
| Viltrox 13mm F1.4 f/1.4 E STM Auto Focus Ultra Wide Angle Compare | 86.9 | 96.6 | 42.1 | 89.4 | 82.6 | 96.4 | 80.8 | 34.2 | 74 | 81.3 |
| Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Compare | 86.9 | 74.9 | 47.3 | 33.2 | 80.1 | 76.9 | 0 | 96 | 78 | 92.6 |
Price
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
