Sigma's Contemporary I series includes some of the smallest full-frame prime lenses for Sony E-mount and L-mount. I took three of them, the Sigma 24mm f/3.5 DG DN, 35mm f/2 DG DN and 45mm f/2.8 DG DN, to a street portrait shoot in Sydney on the Sony A7IV to see how they compare for photo and video.
Every photo in this post was edited with my Hazel Lightroom preset pack, and in the video I share the unedited 100% crops too.
Edited with my Hazel preset.
Sigma 24mm, 35mm and 45mm specs and price
| 24mm f/3.5 | 35mm f/2 | 45mm f/2.8 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum aperture | f/3.5 | f/2 | f/2.8 |
| Weight | 230g | 325g | 215g |
| Controls | Aperture ring, AF/MF switch | Aperture ring, AF/MF switch | Aperture ring, AF/MF switch |
| Price | US$549 | US$639 | US$549 / about A$575 |
US prices for the current versions, which vary by retailer and mount.
The full Sigma I series lineup
These three are part of Sigma's I series, a range of nine compact full frame primes with metal bodies and aperture rings. If you like the look of these but want a different focal length, here's the whole range.
| Lens | US price |
|---|---|
| 17mm f/4 | US$599 |
| 20mm f/2 | US$599 |
| 24mm f/2 | US$639 |
| 24mm f/3.5 (tested here) | US$549 |
| 35mm f/2 (tested here) | US$639 |
| 45mm f/2.8 (tested here) | US$549 |
| 50mm f/2 | US$639 |
| 65mm f/2 | US$699 |
| 90mm f/2.8 | US$699 |
Which mounts are the Sigma I series lenses available for?
Every I series lens comes in two mounts: Sony E-mount and L-Mount. L-Mount means they also work on LUMIX full frame cameras like the S5II and S9, as well as Sigma and Leica L-Mount bodies. In 2025 Sigma refreshed the range with new engravings, and the L-Mount versions now come in black or silver, while the Sony E-mount versions are black only. The optics didn't change, so everything in this review still applies. They aren't made for Canon RF, Nikon Z or Fujifilm X.
Build and design
All the lenses in this series look very uniform, with an AF/MF switch, a focus ring and an aperture ring. I absolutely love that they have an aperture ring, especially on a body like the A7C with limited buttons. Sony, Samyang and Tamron all make similar compact primes, and I share comparison images between them in the video. Watch the intro.
Sigma 24mm f3.5 DG DN
The 24mm is very sharp with great autofocus. At f/3.5 it was tricky to get much bokeh in this location, but I don't mind for a lens I'd mostly use for travel, landscapes and street photography. It would be harder in low light like blue hour or indoors, and its flare is quite defined, which can become distracting. On video it kept up with focus really well and would be perfect for wide gimbal shots. See the 24mm samples.
Edited with my Hazel preset.
Edited with my Hazel preset.
Edited with my Hazel preset.
Sigma 35mm f2 DG DN
The 35mm and 45mm performed almost identically. Eye AF was sticky the whole shoot, with the best accuracy on mid-length and full-body shots and only a few more misses up close. Both are sharp with lots of detail but still flattering for portraits, and the colours straight out of camera are neutral to slightly cool and easy to edit. The 35mm bokeh is oval with a little texture, and its flare is quite defined and colourful. See the 35mm samples.
Edited with my Hazel preset.
Edited with my Hazel preset.
Sigma 45mm f2.8 DG DN
I think 45mm is a great portrait focal length, and I found myself taking more close-ups with this one. I'd have loved an f/2 version instead of f/2.8, but its bokeh is cleaner than the 35mm, and its large green flare is softer, so you could use it creatively. See the 45mm samples and side-by-side comparisons.
Edited with my Hazel preset.
Edited with my Hazel preset.
Edited with my Hazel preset.
Edited with my Hazel preset.
Edited with my Hazel preset.
Before and after with Hazel
Here are some before and afters, with the unedited photo on the left and my Hazel edit on the right.
Unedited
Edited with Hazel
Unedited on the left, edited with my Hazel preset on the right.
Edited with my Hazel preset.
Unedited
Edited with Hazel
Unedited on the left, edited with my Hazel preset on the right.
Are the Sigma 24mm, 35mm and 45mm worth it?
Overall I think this is a great set of small, lightweight primes, especially for travel, street photography or as a small everyday lens. Next to the similar Tamron and Sony compact primes, the Sigmas hold up really well for image quality, sharpness and performance. My pick for portraits would be the 45mm, and the 35mm f/2 for the most versatility.
Sigma 24mm, 35mm and 45mm FAQ
Which Sigma compact prime is best for portraits?
The 45mm f/2.8 is the best of the three for portraits, with a flattering focal length and the cleanest bokeh. The 35mm f/2 is more versatile and better in low light.
Are the Sigma Contemporary primes good for travel?
Yes. They're small and light (215-325g), sharp and have aperture rings, which makes them great travel and street lenses.
What mounts are the Sigma I series lenses available for?
Sony E-mount and L-Mount, which covers LUMIX, Sigma and Leica L-Mount cameras. They aren't available for Canon RF, Nikon Z or Fujifilm X.
Do these Sigma lenses have good autofocus?
Yes. On the Sony A7IV, Eye AF was sticky and accurate, especially for mid-length and full-body shots.
What preset did you use for these photos?
All the photos were edited with my Hazel Lightroom preset pack.
All the photos in this post were edited with my Hazel Lightroom preset pack. You might also like my post on why 35mm is my most used focal length. Browse all my packs in the Lightroom Presets for Portraits collection, and if you're stuck between a few, you can buy any 3 presets and save 10%.
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