Sigma AF 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM IF
The Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 is a 12–24mm f/4.5 lens designed for Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Pentax K, Sigma SA mount cameras. Used copies start from $199.99 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Sigma AF 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM IF
Used Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 Listings on GearFocus
Lens Overview — Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6
Key Features — Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6
12–24mm Ultra-Wide Zoom: The 12mm wide end delivers an extremely broad field of view — roughly 122° diagonal on full-frame — making it well suited to expansive landscapes, interiors, and architectural subjects.
Full-Frame Coverage: Designed to cover a full 35mm image circle, so it can be used on both full-frame and APS-C DSLR bodies without vignetting.
f/4.5–5.6 Maximum Aperture: A moderate aperture range across the zoom, adequate for well-lit shooting conditions typical of landscape and architectural work.
HSM Autofocus Motor: Sigma's Hypersonic Motor (HSM) drives fast, quiet autofocus and allows full-time manual focus override without switching modes.
Internal Focus Design: The IF system focuses without changing the physical length of the lens, keeping handling consistent and preventing the front element from rotating.
No Filter Thread: The bulging front element design — common to extreme ultra-wides — means standard screw-on filters cannot be attached; rear gel filter holders are the typical workaround.
Lens Specifications — Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Landscape, Architecture, Travel, Creative Effects |
| Lens Type | Zoom |
| Format | Full Frame |
| Zoom/Prime | Zoom |
| Focal Length | 12–24mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/4.5 |
| Camera System | DSLR |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Pentax K, Sigma SA |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Focus Type | Auto, Manual |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Weight | 600g |
Description — Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6
The Sigma AF 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM IF is a full-frame compatible ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed for DSLR camera systems. Its focal length range of 12mm to 24mm places it firmly in wide-angle territory, making it well-suited to expansive landscape compositions, interior and architectural photography, and creative wide-perspective shooting. The lens carries a maximum aperture of f/4.5 at the wide end, offering moderate light-gathering ability.
Both auto and manual focus modes are supported, giving photographers the ability to switch between fast autofocus acquisition and precise manual control as the situation demands. With no image stabilization, the lens relies on the shooter's technique or in-body stabilization where available. The absence of a filter thread is a practical consideration for users who rely on screw-on filters.
Weighing in at 600g, the lens strikes a reasonable balance between size and optical coverage for the ultra-wide zoom category. Mount options cover Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Pentax K, and Sigma SA, ensuring wide platform availability across the DSLR market.
Pros — Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6
- ✓Covers a 12–24mm focal length range, providing an ultra-wide perspective suitable for full-frame DSLRs
- ✓Full-frame lens format ensures compatibility with both full-frame and APS-C DSLR bodies without vignetting
- ✓Broad mount compatibility spanning Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Pentax K, and Sigma SA
Cons — Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6
- ✗No image stabilization, which can be a limiting factor for handheld shooting in low light
- ✗Maximum aperture of f/4.5 is relatively modest for a wide-angle zoom, limiting light intake
- ✗No filter thread, preventing use of standard screw-on filters such as polarizers or ND filters