Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary lens for Sony E 

Small but perfectly formed, the 18-50mm F2.8 is the ultimate portable standard zoom for crop-sensor mirrorless cameras.

With an equivalent focal length of 27-75mm on an APS-C camera the lens is well-suited to a wide range of photo and video applications, including landscape, portrait, street and architectural photography.

It can also be used for macro-style photography owing to its impressive maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.8.

• 27-75mm (35mm Equivalent)
• Minimum Focusing Distance: 12.1 cm
• Three Aspherical Elements
• Special Low Dispersion Element
• Rounded 7-Blade Diaphragm
• Dust- and Splash-Proof Design

A constant F2.8 aperture makes it easy to achieve blurry backgrounds, which is ideal for shooting attractive portraits and close-ups.

Autofocus is exceptionally fast and quiet thanks to the lens’ stepping motor, which can be particularly useful for shooting video or for capturing fast-moving subjects.

Easily portable enough to be carried around for casual day-to-day shooting, but thanks to its outstanding optics, fast AF and wide aperture, it is more than capable of delivering professional-quality results.

Ultra-sharp optics

Despite being extremely small and light at under 300g, the 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | C delivers outstanding optical quality at all aperture settings. Optical performance is maintained across the whole frame, meaning fine detail is rendered perfectly right into the corners.

The lens has an advanced optical design made up of 13 elements in 10 groups, including 3 aspherical elements and 1 SLD element. These ensure razor-sharp results and work with in-camera digital corrections to eliminate chromatic aberration, flare, distortion and vignetting.

The lens has advanced optical coatings which reduce flare and ghosting when working in bright direct sunlight – especially important at the wider end of the zoom range.

Close-up capability

The 18-50mm has a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.8, giving it a minimum working distance (sensor to the front of the lens) of just 12.1cm. This makes it well-suited to close-up photography, including food, insects, flowers and other macro-type subjects.

Constant F2.8 aperture

Thanks to its wide F2.8 aperture across the whole zoom range the 18-50mm is a good performer in low light. This is ideal for photographers who want to shoot in darker conditions without a tripod.

Internal focus mechanism

The lens has an internal focus mechanism, so the lens always remains the same length when the subject distance changes. This makes it well suited to gimbal use due to a relatively constant centre of gravity, and it also means the end of the lens doesn’t rotate when focusing – important when using filters.

Stepping motor

The lens has a stepping motor that delivers smooth, fast and accurate AF for both stills and video. It has been designed with lighter glass elements in the focus lens group, which ensures responsive autofocus that is fully compatible with all the latest AF camera technology.

Features and build

The external barrel of the 18-50mm F2.8 is constructed using a polymer called Thermally Stable Composite (TSC). This has a similar thermal expansion rate to aluminium, meaning that the metal interior of the lens and the TSC exterior behave in the same way as temperatures change. TSC is also light and strong, and has a sleek finish.

The durable brass mount is surrounded by a rubber seal to help keep out dust and moisture.

Made in Japan

All Sigma cameras and lenses are designed, manufactured and assembled at their sole factory at Aizu in Japan. This domestic production model is unusual in today’s industry, with most imaging companies opting to outsource to other countries to reduce costs. But SIGMA believes that keeping virtually all manufacturing, processing and assembly in Aizu is essential for creating innovative, carefully thought-out and impeccably constructed products that meet the high standards demanded by professional photographers and film-makers around the world.