Sigma Sigma Art Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Art Lens (Sony E) Review
Sigma's 17-40mm f/1.8 delivers prime-like sharpness and bokeh in a zoom, but its autofocus and heft hold it back from being a true all-rounder.
Overview
Alright, let's talk about this Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8. It's a weird one, but in a good way. It's a zoom lens that acts like a prime, giving you a super bright f/1.8 aperture across the entire range from 17mm to 40mm. That's a full-frame equivalent of about 25.5mm to 60mm on your Sony APS-C camera, so you're covered from wide-angle to a short telephoto.
Performance
The image quality is the star here. It scores in the 92nd percentile for optics, so yeah, it's sharp. The bokeh is also top-tier at the 89th percentile, which makes sense for an f/1.8 lens. But the autofocus is just okay, landing in the 47th percentile. And there's no stabilization, so you'll need steady hands or good light for slower shutter speeds.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Super sharp optics across the zoom range. 92th
- Beautiful, creamy bokeh for portraits. 90th
- Constant f/1.8 aperture is great in low light. 76th
- Solid build quality feels premium. 66th
Cons
- Autofocus is decent but not class-leading.
- No image stabilization at all.
- It's heavy for an APS-C lens at 561 grams.
- Not weather-sealed, so keep it dry.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Focal Length Min | 40 |
| Focal Length Max | 40 |
| Elements | 17 |
| Groups | 11 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/16 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11 |
Build
| Mount | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weight | 0.6 kg / 1.2 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 67 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 280 |
| Max Magnification | 1:4.8 |
Value & Pricing
At $919, this lens isn't cheap. You're paying a premium for that constant f/1.8 aperture and Sigma's Art-series optical quality. If you absolutely need that bright aperture across a zoom range, it's your only option. But if you can live with variable aperture zooms or a collection of primes, you can save a lot of cash.
Price History
vs Competition
Compared to primes like the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 or the Meike 55mm f/1.8, this Sigma gives you flexibility without sacrificing aperture. Those primes will be smaller, lighter, and often cheaper, but you lose the zoom. Against a standard zoom like a kit lens (f/3.5-5.6), this Sigma blows it away in low-light performance and background blur, but you pay for it in size, weight, and cost.
| Spec | Sigma Sigma Art Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Art Lens (Sony E) | Meike Meike 50mm F1.8 Full Frame AF STM Lens Standard | Nikon Nikon S-Line Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens (Nikon Z) | Canon Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens | Tamron Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony | Sigma Sigma Contemporary Sigma 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS Contemporary Lens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 40mm | 50mm | 24-70mm | 24mm | 17-70mm | 16-300mm |
| Max Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Sony E | Nikon Z | Nikon Z | Canon RF | Sony E Mount | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | true | false | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 561 | 301 | 676 | 269 | 544 | 615 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | - | - | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom |
Verdict
Buy this if you're a Sony APS-C shooter who does portraits or low-light work and you really want the convenience of a zoom with a prime lens's aperture. It's a specialist tool. If you're a traveler worried about weight, or you need lightning-fast autofocus for sports, look elsewhere.