Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
Launch MSRP
$899- Weight
- 1,015g
- Filter
- —
- Min focus
- 0.28m
- Max mag.
- 0.14×
- Formula
- 15E / 11G
- Released
- 2018
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 2x FLD
- 5x SLD
- 2x Aspherical
- Aperture range
- f/1.4 — f/16
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 1,015g
- ⌀ × length
- 90.7 × 155.8mm
- Filter
- —
- Weather sealed
- No
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 7.3 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.28m
- Max magnification
- 0.14× (1:7.1)
Optical character
When it launched for DSLRs in 2015, the 20mm F1.4 was the first full-frame 20mm with an f/1.4 aperture. The key part is a 59mm double-sided aspherical element near the front, backed by two FLD and five SLD elements to keep lateral colour down. It suits night landscapes, astro and dim interiors where a 20mm f/2.8 would need high ISO.
The Sony E version keeps the SLR optics and adds the flange depth to the barrel, so it is 155.8mm long and 1,015g. The front element bulges behind a fixed petal hood, so there is no screw-in filter thread. Focus is by HSM ring motor with full-time manual override.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers found the centre sharp wide open and the corners soft at f/1.4, improving clearly by f/2.8 and good by f/4. Coma is reasonably controlled for an f/1.4 wide, and distortion is low, but vignetting is strong at maximum aperture.
The big front element picks up flare and ghosting with bright light sources near the frame. On Sony bodies the HSM drive focuses reliably for static scenes but is slower and louder than native mirrorless designs, and the lens is far larger than newer 20mm options such as Sigma's own 20mm F1.4 DG DN.
Owner sentiment
Owners use it mainly for astrophotography and dramatic wide environmental portraits, and value the extra light it gathers over f/1.8 and f/2 rivals. The metal-and-TSC build is described as robust.
Common complaints are the weight on E-mount bodies, no front filters without an expensive holder, and the protruding front element that needs care. Some owners report AF hunting in very low light.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +f/1.4 at 20mm
- +Sharp centre from wide open
- +Low distortion
- +Solid build with full-time MF
Weaknesses
- −1,015g and 156mm long on E-mount
- −No front filter thread
- −Soft corners and heavy vignetting at f/1.4
- −Flare-prone front element
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 8.3
- Bokeh Rendering
- 7.9
- Autofocus Speed
- 7.3
- Flare Resistance
- 7.0
- Build / Sealing
- 8.3
- Value / Size
- 7.8
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Sony E (FE) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 20mm |
| Category | Wide |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 |
| Construction | 15 elements in 11 groups |
| Special elements | 2x FLD · 5x SLD · 2x Aspherical |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) |
| Minimum focus | 0.28m |
| Max magnification | 0.14× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 1,015g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 90.7 × 155.8mm |
| Filter thread | None |
| Weather sealing | No |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2018 |
| Launch MSRP | $899 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- sigma-global.com/en/lenses/a015_20_14/
- sigmaphoto.com/20mm-f1-4-dg-hsm-a
Similar focal length alternatives
- VS20mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art vs 20mm f/4 Zero-D Shift
- VS20mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art vs 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC
- VS20mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art vs 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art
- LaowaZero-D
20mm f/4 Zero-D Shift
20mmF4- WT
- 747g
- FLT
- ⌀82mm
- MFD
- 0.25m
- MSRP
- $1,099
MFRING - Samyang/Rokinon
20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC
20mmF1.8- WT
- 525g
- FLT
- ⌀77mm
- MFD
- 0.20m
- MSRP
- $599
MFRING - SigmaArt
20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art
20mmF1.4- WT
- 630g
- FLT
- ⌀82mm
- MFD
- 0.23m
- MSRP
- $899
AFWRRING·DC
