Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens

Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens Specifications

The Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens is a powerhouse of creative potential, designed specifically for APS-C and Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras, and it delivers the perfect blend of speed, sharpness, and portability that photographers and videographers demand in today’s fast-paced content-driven world. Engineered with a wide-angle 16mm focal length that translates to a versatile 24mm equivalent on APS-C or 32mm on Micro Four Thirds, this lens opens up expansive perspectives ideal for landscapes, cityscapes, vlogging, astrophotography, environmental portraits, and immersive video production. What truly sets it apart is its ultra-bright F1.4 aperture, which not only ensures exceptional low-light performance but also creates breathtakingly shallow depth-of-field effects with a smooth, creamy bokeh thanks to its rounded 9-blade diaphragm. Built with 16 elements in 13 groups, including 3 FLD (“F” Low Dispersion), 2 SLD (Super Low Dispersion), and 2 precision-molded aspherical elements, the optical design works relentlessly to suppress chromatic aberration, distortion, flare, and sagittal coma, making it a favorite for night sky photographers who want pinpoint stars without smearing or aberrations. Coated with Sigma’s renowned Super Multi-Layer Coating, the lens resists ghosting and flare even in backlit situations, so you can confidently shoot sunsets, neon-lit streets, or wide interiors without losing contrast or color accuracy. The lens’s advanced stepping motor autofocus system provides smooth, quiet, and precise focusing performance, perfect for both stills and continuous video recording, with full compatibility for technologies like Sony’s Fast Hybrid AF and face recognition tracking—an essential for vloggers and content creators who need reliable focus transitions without distracting noise. Its inner focusing mechanism ensures the front element does not rotate, allowing easy use of polarizing or ND filters via its standard 67mm filter thread. The build quality is equally impressive, featuring a brass bayonet mount and a dust- and splash-resistant design (with the exception of EF-M versions), complemented by Sigma’s Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) material that maintains durability and precision even in changing temperatures. Compact yet robust, the lens measures approximately 72.2mm in diameter with a length of about 91–94mm (depending on mount) and weighs just 395–420g, making it a highly portable option for travel, street, and run-and-gun video shooting without compromising optical excellence. The minimum focusing distance of 25cm allows for creative close-up wide-angle perspectives, adding depth and drama to foreground subjects against expansive backgrounds, while a maximum magnification ratio of 0.10x gives flexibility for semi-macro wide-angle compositions. Commercially, the Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary stands as one of the only ultra-wide F1.4 primes available for APS-C mirrorless systems, delivering pro-level performance at a fraction of the cost of full-frame equivalents. Customers choose this lens because it provides unparalleled image quality, superior build, and professional features in a lightweight, affordable package that directly rivals far more expensive lenses—an unbeatable investment for photographers and videographers who want to level up their creative toolkit. With its included petal-shaped lens hood (LH716-01) to reduce unwanted light and protective lens caps, the Sigma 16mm F1.4 is not just another wide-angle prime—it is a gateway to professional-quality imagery, enabling you to capture stunning, high-resolution shots with precision, speed, and artistry. For those ready to elevate their photography or video production, the Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary is the lens that delivers exceptional results, market-leading value, and a creative edge that ensures your work stands out every single time.

Features:

Ultra-Bright F1.4 Aperture for Low-Light Shooting

The standout feature of the Sigma 16mm F1.4 is its exceptionally fast maximum aperture of F1.4. This allows photographers and videographers to capture sharp, well-exposed images even in dimly lit conditions without relying heavily on artificial lighting or high ISO settings. Beyond low-light performance, the wide aperture creates beautifully shallow depth-of-field effects, isolating subjects against smooth, creamy backgrounds that enhance portraits, product shots, and cinematic video footage.

Wide-Angle Versatility with APS-C and MFT Compatibility

With its 16mm focal length (24mm equivalent on APS-C and 32mm on Micro Four Thirds), the lens delivers a wide but practical field of view. It’s perfect for capturing expansive landscapes, immersive interiors, bustling street scenes, or group shots without distortion. For vloggers and content creators, this focal length provides a natural-looking perspective that feels wide enough to frame the environment while keeping the subject in clear focus.

Advanced Optical Design with Premium Glass Elements

The optical construction consists of 16 elements in 13 groups, including 3 FLD (“F” Low Dispersion), 2 SLD (Super Low Dispersion), and 2 aspherical elements. This sophisticated design minimizes chromatic aberrations, distortion, and flare while maintaining edge-to-edge sharpness. For astrophotographers, the suppression of sagittal coma flare ensures that stars appear as crisp points of light, rather than smeared shapes, making this lens one of the most trusted tools for night-sky imaging.

Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm for Smooth Bokeh

The 9 rounded aperture blades create a circular diaphragm that produces natural, visually pleasing bokeh when shooting at wide apertures. This results in soft, rounded background highlights and a more cinematic separation between subject and background, particularly beneficial for portraits, lifestyle photography, and video production.

Stepping Motor Autofocus for Video and Stills

Equipped with a stepping motor (STM), the Sigma 16mm F1.4 delivers smooth, quiet, and accurate autofocus. This makes it an excellent choice for videographers who need seamless focus transitions without distracting motor noise in their audio. On Sony E-mount cameras, it fully supports Fast Hybrid AF and Face/Eye Detection AF, making it highly reliable for vloggers, live streamers, and content creators who need consistent subject tracking.

Minimum Focus Distance of 25 cm for Creative Close-Ups

With a minimum focusing distance of 25 cm (9.8 inches) and a maximum magnification ratio of 0.10×, the lens allows for dynamic wide-angle close-ups. Photographers can position subjects in the foreground while still capturing expansive background detail, creating layered, storytelling compositions that add depth and drama to both stills and video.

Durable Build with Dust- and Splash-Resistant Mount

The lens features a brass bayonet mount combined with weather-sealing at the mount interface (except EF-M versions). This construction enhances durability and ensures reliable performance even in challenging outdoor environments, whether shooting on dusty trails, rainy streets, or humid conditions. The use of Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) material also ensures structural integrity and precision, maintaining performance consistency across varying temperatures.

Compact, Lightweight Design for Portability

Despite its advanced optics, the Sigma 16mm F1.4 remains compact and relatively lightweight, weighing only 395–420 grams depending on the mount. Its dimensions (approximately 72.2mm × 91–94mm) make it easy to carry in a small camera bag, making it an ideal companion for travel photographers, vloggers on the go, or anyone who values mobility without sacrificing image quality.

Standard 67mm Filter Thread for Creative Flexibility

The lens uses a 67mm filter thread, allowing creators to attach ND filters, polarizers, and other essential accessories. This makes it particularly attractive for video shooters who rely on ND filters to control exposure in bright outdoor settings, or landscape photographers who want to use graduated filters to balance skies and foregrounds.

Included Lens Hood and Caps for Practical Use

Each Sigma 16mm F1.4 comes with a petal-shaped LH716-01 lens hood, a front LCF-67 III cap, and a rear LCR II cap. The hood helps reduce lens flare and ghosting by blocking stray light, while the caps provide protection when the lens is not in use. These accessories add practical value, ensuring that the lens is always ready for professional use.

• Astrophotography – Capture sharp, coma-free images of the night sky with its wide angle of view and F1.4 aperture for bright, detailed star fields.
• Landscape Photography – Wide focal length provides expansive coverage of natural scenes, cityscapes, and architecture with edge-to-edge sharpness.
• Vlogging and YouTube Content – Lightweight design with quiet stepping motor autofocus makes it ideal for handheld video, interviews, and talking-head content.
• Low-Light Photography – Fast F1.4 aperture ensures excellent performance in dim environments like concerts, street scenes, and indoor venues.
• Environmental Portraits – Wide perspective combined with shallow depth-of-field allows subjects to be framed naturally within their surroundings.
• Travel and Street Photography – Compact and portable, making it easy to carry and versatile for capturing spontaneous moments and dynamic environments.
• Event Coverage – Great for weddings, parties, and gatherings where a wide lens is needed to fit groups or venues into the frame.
• Close-Up Wide-Angle Shots – Minimum focusing distance of 25cm allows creative perspectives with strong foreground subjects and expansive backgrounds.
• Documentary and Run-and-Gun Filmmaking – Fast AF, lightweight build, and wide perspective make it perfect for on-the-go shooting.
• Interior and Real Estate Photography – Captures rooms and indoor spaces with clarity, making even small areas appear more spacious and inviting.

Pros

• Bright F1.4 aperture provides excellent low-light performance and shallow depth-of-field.
• Wide 16mm focal length (24mm APS-C / 32mm MFT equivalent) is versatile for landscapes, vlogging, astrophotography, and interiors.
• Advanced optical construction with FLD, SLD, and aspherical elements delivers sharp images with minimal chromatic aberration and distortion.
• Smooth, quiet autofocus with stepping motor makes it highly suitable for video and still photography.
• Rounded 9-blade diaphragm produces soft, attractive bokeh.
• Compact and lightweight design (395–420g) makes it travel-friendly and easy to carry.
• Durable build quality with brass bayonet mount and dust/splash resistance (except EF-M version).
• 67mm filter thread allows use of common ND and polarizing filters.
• Minimum focusing distance of 25 cm enables creative wide-angle close-up shots.
• Included accessories with petal-type lens hood and protective caps.

Cons

• Designed for APS-C and MFT only (not suitable for full-frame cameras without crop mode).
• Limited weather sealing – only mount area is sealed, no full weatherproofing.
• No built-in image stabilization, relying on camera body stabilization if available.
• Autofocus speed can be slightly slower in low-light or with certain mounts.
• Maximum magnification (0.10x) is modest, limiting macro capability.
• EF-M mount version lacks dust- and splash-resistant design and full correction support on some Canon cameras.
• Size is slightly larger compared to slower wide-angle primes, though still compact relative to full-frame F1.4 lenses.

• Compatible with Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X, Leica L, Micro Four Thirds, Nikon Z, & Sony E-Mount Cameras
• APS-C - f/1.4 to f/16
• 25.6mm (Full-Frame Equivalent)
• Flare and Ghost Reduction
• Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
• Stepping Motor AF System
• Super Multi-Layer Coating
• Mount with Dust and Splash Resistant Structure

• Focal Length: 16mm (APS-C / Micro Four Thirds)
• 35mm Equivalent Focal Length: 24mm on APS-C, 25.6mm on Canon 1.6× crop, 32mm on Micro Four Thirds
• Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
• Minimum Aperture: f/16
• Lens Construction: 16 elements in 13 groups
• Special Elements: 3 FLD (F Low Dispersion), 2 SLD (Super Low Dispersion), 2 Aspherical elements
• Diaphragm Blades: 9 (rounded)
• Angle of View: Approx. 83.2° (APS-C), 68.1° (Micro Four Thirds)
• Focus System: Stepping motor with inner focusing
• Front Element Rotation: No (front does not rotate)
• Minimum Focusing Distance: 25 cm / 9.8 in
• Maximum Magnification Ratio: 0.10× (1:9.9)
• Filter Size: 67mm
• Dimensions (Diameter × Length): Approx. 72.2mm × 90–94mm (varies by mount)
• Weight: 395g – 420g (depending on mount)
• Mount Type: Brass bayonet, dust- and splash-resistant (except EF-M version)
• Exterior Material: Thermally Stable Composite (TSC)
• Lens Hood: Petal-type hood (LH716-01), included
• Lens Caps: Front cap LCF-67 III and rear cap LCR II, included
• Compatible Mounts: Sony E, Fujifilm X, L-Mount, Canon EF-M, Canon RF (RF-S), Nikon Z (Z DX), Micro Four Thirds
• In-Camera Correction: Supported on most systems (limited support on some EOS M bodies)
• Edition Number: C017
• Announcement Date: October 24, 2017

• Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens (Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X, Leica L, Micro Four Thirds, Nikon Z, or Sony E)
• Sigma LCR II Rear Lens Cap
• Sigma LCF-67 III 67mm Lens Cap
• Sigma Petal-Type Lens Hood for 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Lens
• Limited Warranty

Is the Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary compatible with my camera?

The Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary is available in multiple mounts, including Sony E, Fujifilm X, L-Mount, Canon EF-M, Canon RF (RF-S), Nikon Z (Z DX), and Micro Four Thirds. It is designed for APS-C and MFT systems, giving you a 24mm equivalent on APS-C and 32mm equivalent on MFT bodies.

What makes the F1.4 aperture important on this lens?

The F1.4 aperture allows more light to enter the lens, making it excellent for low-light photography and videography. It also creates shallow depth-of-field for subject isolation and smooth background blur, making your shots more cinematic and professional.

Does the Sigma 16mm F1.4 work well for video recording?

Yes, the lens is equipped with a stepping motor autofocus system that ensures fast, smooth, and nearly silent focusing—ideal for video creators, vloggers, and filmmakers who need reliable performance without disruptive noise in their recordings.

Is this lens suitable for astrophotography?

Absolutely. The wide 16mm focal length paired with the bright F1.4 aperture and optical elements designed to suppress sagittal coma flare make this lens a top choice for astrophotographers who want sharp, clean star images with minimal distortion.

What is the minimum focusing distance?

The Sigma 16mm F1.4 has a minimum focusing distance of 25 cm (9.8 inches), which allows you to capture creative close-up wide-angle shots that combine strong foreground subjects with expansive backgrounds.

Does the lens support filters?

Yes, it has a standard 67mm filter thread that supports ND filters, polarizers, and other accessories, making it versatile for both photography and videography applications.

How durable is the build quality?

The lens features a brass bayonet mount with dust- and splash-resistant sealing (except EF-M mount). It also uses Sigma’s Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) material for a solid yet lightweight build, ensuring durability in various shooting environments.

What accessories come with the lens?

Each Sigma 16mm F1.4 includes a petal-shaped lens hood (LH716-01), a front lens cap (LCF-67 III), and a rear cap (LCR II), giving you protection and better light control straight out of the box.

What is the weight and size of the lens?

The lens weighs between 395g and 420g depending on the mount and measures approximately 72.2mm in diameter with a length of 90–94mm, making it compact and portable for travel or everyday use.

When was the Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary released?

The lens was officially announced on October 24, 2017, and has since become one of the most popular wide-angle primes for APS-C and Micro Four Thirds mirrorless systems due to its exceptional balance of quality, performance, and price.