The Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Art- First Impressions
This is not a sponsored review
I bought this lens with my own money, Sigma doesn’t know I exist. This review is based solely on my experience using this lens.
Kurz gesagt- “In a Nutshell”
In June of 2025, Sigma announced Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Art lens, a constant f/1.8 aperture standard zoom for APS-C and kept it surprisingly portable, radically altering the market of standard zoom lenses for crop sensors. I’ve had the Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Art lens for about a week now, and so far, I’ve been very pleased with the performance, handling, and build quality. I tried searching for a copy in the second-hand market and had no luck, this lens is flying off the shelves faster than they can re-stock them. If you find a new copy for a good price, I say go for it. If you don’t love the lens, come back to the comment section and yell at me.
In a nutshell, there is nothing in the market for APS-C that compares to the level of performance that this lens provides. This is the most versatile “normal” premium zoom option available for professionals. I know this lens will find itself in the hands of wedding and portrait photographers, as well as videographers. I can also envision event photographers who move between group scenes and tighter storytelling frames will appreciate the range and speed. Hybrid creators who shoot with gimbals will get the benefit of internal zoom and quiet drive for video.
The Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Art lens is available for the following mounts:
Sony E Mount
Below I’ll share some example photos, tell you a little about what I like, what I wish was different, and somethings that you may want consider if you are thinking about splurging.
Image Quality and Performance
Wow. This lens is impressive. As far as I know, this is the only f/1.8 aperture regular zoom for APS-C at the moment. In the field, this lens behaves like a fast prime that happens to zoom. Paired with the 40 megapixel sensor inside my Fujifilm XT-5, and I’ve been able to crop my heart’s delight while maintaining good image quality. Images are tack sharp in the center, this should come as no surprise since Sigma’s Art lenses are designed for premium optics. Edges show a little softness, but they tidy up quickly as you stop down to f/2.8 and f/4. Vignetting is present but fairly decent, easily fixed with a click of a button in Lightroom. I have had zero issues. Contrast holds nicely, and Sigma’s premium coatings keep flares in check. Bokeh is very nice (look below), falling off smoothly and evenly at all focal lengths, but especially closer to 40mm. Autofocus is fast, snappy, silent, I haven’t missed many shots.
This may be a controversial statement, but, I think this lens can easily replace three prime lenses in your bag. (18mm, 27mm, 35mm). When I walk out the door, there are now only two lenses in my bag, the Fujifilm 90mm f/2 and Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Art. That covers all (okay, most) my bases. If you are a prime lens purist, this lens is probably not for you, but then again, if you’re a prime lens purist, you’re not really reading this blog. But if you are, and you’re here, maybe you’ll change your mind once you try this lens. Who knows, I’m not your dad.
Portraits edited with my Fuji 400 Pro Lightroom Preset - Presets are on sale until October 1st!
Other “Nice-To-Haves” (mostly for videographers)
Sigma’s High-Response Linear Actuator (HLA) motors make this lens virtually silent.
Internal zooming feature makes this lens weather resistant and avoids any gimbal balancing issues
Programmable buttons on the lens, and an AF-L - AF toggle on the X Mount version
De-clickable aperture ring, for smooth aperture changes while taking video. On the Canon version, this is a programable ring.
I think that videographers will flock to this lens, there is nothing else like it on the market.
My Small Gripes
It’s loooong - I am not sure that they could have manufactured this lens any smaller, but still, it’s a BIG boy (or girl)
Firmware updates require an additional purchase of a dock. (wtf?) This is unfortunate, and should not be the norm for their top-tier lenses. The dock should come included in the box. Also, a lot of early X-Mount units shipped with faulty firmware (Version 1.0) that was not compatible with cameras with IBIS. It was fixed in Version 1.01. What is Sigma thinking here? When you’re ahead, don’t pinch pennies, you capture more of your target market! Sometimes I forget that shareholders are greedy AF ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Handling & Size
Like I said above, this lens is a BIG boy, BUT the lens is surprisingly light! Coming in at 531g (603g with lens caps and lens hood), this lens does not feel overly heavy on my XT-5. Even with the relatively narrow grip of this camera, it feels comfortable for shoots and compared to my heavy prime lenses like my Viltrox 27mm f/1.2 Pro. I used this lens for many hours and my hands and shoulders kept up. Is the size a deal-breaker? Definitely not. Do I wish it was smaller? Yeah, I think we all want that. I will take a little extra size in exchange for f/1.8. This lens has all the right junk in all the right places.
Its closest competitor (For Fujifilm) - The Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8 MK II
Fujifilm’s second generation 16-55 f/2.8 is the most direct rival if you shoot X mount, and it takes a slightly different approach. Sigma gives you a full stop of extra light at every focal length, which means cleaner ISO in dim interiors and stronger subject separation when you want it. Fujifilm answers with a smaller and lighter body that is built to live on the camera all day. The new Mark II version drops roughly thirty seven percent of the weight compared to the original and shortens the barrel by about eleven millimeters, landing at about 95 millimeters long and around 410 grams, while keeping weather sealing and a 72 millimeter filter thread. Sigma punches back with a bright f/1.8 aperture, keeps an internal zoom, and uses a smaller 67 millimeter filter. The main difference is size, the Sigma is longer and heavier at roughly 118 millimeters and about 530 to 535 grams in X mount.
Autofocus is quick on both, although the tech differs. Fujifilm uses twin linear motors and is known for snappy focus with native bodies. Sigma’s HLA drive is fast and quiet and it pairs well with modern X series cameras. Neither lens includes optical stabilization, so low light handheld work relies on the IBIS in a body like the XT-5 or on careful technique when you are shooting with cameras without it.
You tell me, would you spend ~$200 more for the Fujifilm lens with an extending lens barrel and a sacrifice 1 1/3 of a stop of light? I made this calculation in my head before making a purchase decision, and I landed on the Sigma as the clear winner. To be fair, both are insanely good lenses, amazing image quality, versatile, travel-friendly, and premium build quality. You can’t go wrong with either lens, it just depends on what is more important to you.
Image Credit to Reddit u/GianCortese
Final Thoughts
Sigma’s 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Art feels like the glow-up APS-C shooters have been waiting for. So many of us have been asking, pleading, begging manufacturers to give us a FAST 24-70(ish) full frame equivalent lens to become our daily driver. This lens gives you prime-level light in a single zoom, sharp images, silent and snappy auto-focus, and a f/1.8 aperture in a package that you can confidently say is good enough to travel. This lens eats dim restaurants for breakfast, cleans up city nights, and lets you leave two or three primes at home without fear.
If you live in a controlled light studio and want the smallest, lightest native option, the Fujifilm 16-55 f/2.8 II still makes the most convincing case. If your work slides between interiors, blue hour, and fast-moving days on the road, the Sigma brings more headroom and more keepers. Either way, APS-C just got a serious, premium standard zoom. I would pack it, shoot it, and smile every time it saves you a lens swap.
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