The CP+ 2026 trade show in Yokohama was an opportunity for Sigma to make a big splash with the announcement of an upcoming 85mm f/1.2 DG Art lens. For now, this lens is only in the development stage, with a few unknowns still remaining, but we were able to get our hands on it at the Sigma booth. Here are our first impressions.
Sommaire
A surprisingly compact 85 mm f/1.2 lens
The first thing that surprises you when you pick up the lens is that, for an 85 mm with an aperture of f/1.2, the Sigma is remarkably light.
Please note that this lens is still in development, so all comments made in this article are subject to change in relation to the final product. However, the lens we were able to get our hands-on seemed close to a production model.
At approximately 12 cm in length (to be verified, these are approximate measurements, and without a lens hood), its dimensions are very similar to those of the 35 mm f/1.2 DG DN Art II and the 50 mm f/1.2 DG Art, an impressive feat of integration for a longer focal length, redefining what we can expect from such a fast portrait lens. The lens hood, however, remains quite bulky, adding roughly 40% extra length.
We were unable to weigh the lens at the booth [note for the next CP+: bring a travel scale], but holding it in our hands, we estimate its weight to be around 900/950 g – an estimate based on our best guess, to be confirmed when it goes on sale.
Thanks to several technologies at our disposal, we are able to design the 35, 50, and 85 mm f/1.2 lenses with very high optical performance in reasonable dimensions and weight.
Kazuto Yamaki, CEO of Sigma
If this figure is accurate, the Sigma lens would be significantly lighter than the only two other 85mm f/1.2 autofocus lenses available on the full-frame mirrorless market: the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM (11.73 cm, 1,195 g) and the Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.2 S (14.15 cm, 1.16 kg). That’s potentially 250 g less on the scale, a difference that can be felt at the end of a day of shooting.
Important note: since the Sigma is available in Sony E and Leica L mounts, it is not a direct competitor to these two Canon RF and Nikon Z lenses. However, the comparison highlights the engineering feat achieved by the Japanese lens manufacturer in fitting such a lens into such a small body.
During our interview with Kazuto Yamaki, CEO of Sigma, the full version of which will soon be published on Phototrend, he told us: “It is very difficult to develop an f/1.2 lens with high optical performance in a relatively compact size. Thanks to several technologies at our disposal, we are able to design the 35, 50, and 85 mm f/1.2 lenses with very high optical performance in reasonable dimensions and weight.”
Carefully crafted, like an Art series lens
Unsurprisingly, the 85mm f/1.2 follows the design codes of the Art series that we know so well. It is beautifully crafted, using high-quality materials and weather sealing to protect against the elements
The barrel features an AF/MF switch, along with two customizable buttons positioned to be accessible in both landscape and portrait orientation, a welcome feature for a lens dedicated to portrait photography.
We also note the presence of a “click” ON/OFF switch to enable or disable the aperture ring’s click stops — a useful feature for videographers looking for smooth transitions.
Finally, a lock switch allows the aperture ring to be locked in A mode, leaving aperture control to the camera body.
What we know (and what we don’t know yet)
The minimum focusing distance is 0.84 m. However, as this is a prototype still in development, Sigma has not yet disclosed the optical design of the lens (number of lenses, groups, special elements). We will have to wait to find out the final design and optical performance.
Autofocus will be handled by a dual HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) motor, a technology already proven in the Sigma recent lenses.
The Sigma 85mm f/1.2 DG Art will be officially announced in September 2026 and will be available in Sony E and Leica L mounts. No official price has been announced at this stage, but based on the positioning of the 35mm f/1.2 DG II Art and 50mm f/1.2 DG Art, both launched at round $1,549, we can expect a relatively reasonable price given its compact size.
By way of comparison, the only two other 85mm f/1.2 autofocus lenses on the full-frame mirrorless market are much more expensive: around $3,099 for the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM and $2,796 for the Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.2 S.
Here is the list of features for the Sigma 85mm f/1.2 DG Art:
- focal length: 85 mm (equivalent to 127.5 mm in APS-C)
- full-frame sensor lens
- maximum aperture: f/1.2
- minimum aperture: f/16
- field of view: 28.6°
- optical construction: N.C.
- diaphragm: N/A
- minimum focusing distance: 0.84 m
- image stabilization: no
- tropicalization: moisture- and dust-resistant construction
- Maximum magnification: N/A
- development: HLA motorization
- filter diameter: 82 mm
- dimensions: N/A
- weight: N/A
- supplied accessories: sun visor, front and rear caps
- Compatible mounts: Sony E, L mount
- launch price: N/A
Our initial opinion
With this 85 mm f/1.2 DG Art, Sigma completes its trilogy of ultra-fast prime lenses and squarely targets demanding portrait photographers.
The standout argument is the form factor: where the only two competing 85 mm f/1.2 AF lenses for full-frame mirrorless exceed one kilogram, Sigma manages to keep its optic in a package comparable to its own 35 and 50 mm lenses of the same aperture (with lens hood attached).
Add to that a great build quality and a price tag that should remain well below the competition, and it is easy to see why this development announcement is already generating a lot of buzz. See you in September for the official launch.
