Sony Alpha Blog

Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC

Published by

Marc Alhadeff

on

A Sony A6600 camera with a Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN lens attached, showcasing the lens body and controls.

in blue english / en noir en français

  1. Presentation
  2. Optical Performances / Performances Photo
  3. Video / Vidéo
  4. Comparison with others F2.8 zoom / comparaison avec les autres zooms F2.8
  5. Samples of photos /  Exemples de photos
  6. Conclusion

All photos, taken with Sony A6600 & A1 are available in full size (24/21Mpix) in the following Flickr album suivant : Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC

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Toutes les photos de l’article, prises avec le Sony A6600 et A1 sont disponibles en pleine résolution (24/21Mpix) dans l’album flickr suivant : Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC

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1 Presentation

  • Weight : 529g
  • Price : 1000 euros
  • Aperture : F1.8 – F16
  • Length : 117mm
  • Diameter : 72,9mm
  • Filter : 67mm
  • 11 blades aperture
  • Buttons : focus hold, AF/MF, click/clickless aperture ring
  • Weather resistant
  • Minimal focusing distance : 28cm
  • Lens hood included

The Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC is a long awaited zoom for mirrorless after the excellent 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM

This is the second zoom from Sigma for APSC after the excellent and compact Sigma 18-50 F2.8 DC DN

It aims at competing with the Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III A-VC RXD (900 euros) & the excellent Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G (1150 euros)

It is big and heavy for an APSC Zoom but perfectly ok for a F1.8 zoom. The build quality is excellent, it has all the buttons and a click or clikless aperture ring. The lens does not extend when zooming

Image of the Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC lens showing its design and focus features.
A close-up view of the Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC lens, showcasing its design, focusing ring, and aperture markings.
Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC lens showcasing focus and aperture controls.
Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC lens with a black body and attached lens hood, showcasing the control buttons and textured grip.
A close-up view of the Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC lens, showcasing its design and features including focus hold button, aperture settings, and a green tinted front lens element.
  • Poids : 529g
  • Prix : 1000 euros
  • Ouverture : F1.8- F16
  • Longueur : 117mm
  • Filtre : 67mm
  • Protection tout temps
  • Diaphragme à 11 lamelles
  • Boutons : maintien de mise au point, AF/MF, bague d’ouverture avec ou sans clics
  • Distance minimale de mise au point : 28cm
  • Pare soleil inclus

Le Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC eat attendu de longue date pour les hybrides après l’excellent Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM pour les reflex

C’est le second zoom de Sigma pour APSC après l’excellent et compact Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN

Il a comme concurrent les Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III A-VC RXD (900 euros) & l’excellent Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G (1150 euros)

Il est gros et lourd pour un zoom apsc mais pour un zoom F1.8 c’est parfaitement OK. La qualité de construction et l’ergonomie sont excellente, la bague d’ouverture peut être avec ou sans clics. L’optique est a taille constante et ne s’étend pas en zoomant

Sony camera body with a Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC lens attached, featuring focus and aperture controls.
Sony A6600 camera with Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC lens attached, featuring a lens hood. The camera has a sleek black design.

AF performance :

  • AF is very fast accurate and silent
  • Eye AF is working very well
  • Tracking is working very well but in burst I had a few focus loss with fast subjects going close

Performances AF

  • l’AF est très rapide, précis et silencieux
  • l’AF sur les yeux fonctionne parfaitement
  • Le tracking fonctionne très bien en général mais en rafale j’ai eu quelque ratés pour des sujets rapides et proches
A woman riding a bicycle in a city square with green storefronts in the background. She wears a pink helmet and a patterned top.
A woman riding a bicycle on a city street wearing a pink helmet and a green dress, with a grocery store visible in the background.
A young woman in a green floral dress rides a bicycle, wearing a pink helmet and glasses, while a man and a child in a stroller walk nearby in an urban setting.
Personne souriante portant un casque rose, assise sur un vélo, avec un décor urbain flou en arrière-plan.
A woman in a green floral dress and a pink helmet, sitting on a bicycle, with a blurred background featuring outdoor seating and a white van.
A blurred image showing a woman riding a bicycle with a pink helmet, surrounded by pedestrians and outdoor dining areas.
Two individuals riding electric scooters on a city street, with a grey car parked nearby and various outdoor dining settings in the background.
Two people riding electric scooters on a street, with a car parked nearby and construction in the background.
Young man riding an electric scooter in a city street, wearing a yellow shirt and carrying a bag over his shoulder.
A young man with blonde hair wearing a yellow shirt is standing on a scooter in a bustling urban area. He has a bag slung over his shoulder and appears to be looking away from the camera. In the background, people walking by and bicycles are visible.
A person riding a blue and gray electric scooter along a pavement, wearing a yellow t-shirt and carrying a gray bag on their back.
A cyclist rides along a busy urban street with pedestrians and construction in the background.
A person riding a bicycle on a busy street, with pedestrians walking in the background and various shops visible.
A cyclist riding through a busy outdoor plaza with a restaurant in the background. People are walking in various directions, and red umbrellas are visible above the seating area.
A man riding an electric bicycle in a city setting, with blurred motion effect. Red and white umbrellas from nearby cafes are visible in the background.
A man wearing glasses and earbuds riding an electric bicycle on a city street, with a blurred van in the background featuring blue and white stripes.
A person riding a bicycle in an urban setting, wearing a white shirt and shorts, with a large bag attached to the bike. The background features pedestrians and a storefront.
A bustling urban scene featuring pedestrians walking and a cyclist navigating the area, with a storefront visible in the background.

2 Optical performances / Performances

The tests were made on a Sony A6600 with its 24Mpix

Les tests ont été effectués sur un A6600 avec ses 24Mpix

Tableau des performances de piqué pour différentes ouvertures avec des notations allant de 'Excellent' à 'Moyenne' pour des focales de 17mm, 23mm et 40mm.

2.1 Sharpness / Piqué

  • The Performances are excellent for such kind of zoom lens.
  • You nearly reach excellence wide open at F1.8 and excellence at f2.8 on all focal length and on the entire frame
  • The corners are already very good wide open
  • At close distance results are a little bit less good wide open “very good” only but back to excellent at F4
  • A Superb performance
  • Considering the number of photos required for the test of a zoom only 1 sample at each focal length is illustrated in below, full set can be found here
  • Les performances sont excellentes pour ce type de zoom
  • On est déjà proche de l’excellence à pleine ouverture et excellent à toutes les focales et sur tout le champ à F2.8
  • Les coins sont déjà très bon à pleine ouverture
  • Une superbe performance
  • Les performances sont légèrement moins bone en mise au point rapprochée (très bon) mais en fermant d’un cran on retrouve l’excellence
  • Au vu du nombre de photos pour le test d’un zoom , le set complet est ici, seul un exemple par focale est montrée ci dessous
A wooden bookshelf filled with various books and decorative items, set against a wall with floral patterns. A lamp and small sculptures are visible on top of the shelf. A vase of flowers is placed on a table next to the bookshelf.
17mm f1.8 centre
Bookshelves filled with various cookbooks and a 20 euro note visible in the foreground.
A cozy living room with a black sculpture, a tall cabinet filled with books, and framed artwork on the wall. A decorative plant stands on a wooden cabinet beside the sculpture.
17mm f1.8 corner
A close-up of a shelf filled with various photography books, showcasing titles by authors such as Doisneau, Patrick Demarchelier, and others.
A wooden bookshelf with glass doors displaying a variety of books, decorative items, and a small gnome figure. The shelf is set against a wall with floral decoration.
23mm F1.8 centre
A close-up view of a bookshelf displaying various cookbooks and dietary guides, with a twenty euro banknote partially visible in the foreground.
A cozy interior scene featuring a framed colorful abstract artwork on the wall next to a bookshelf cabinet filled with various books and decorative items.
23mm F1.8 corner
Close-up of an assortment of books on a shelf, featuring titles and authors' names in various fonts and colors.
A wooden bookshelf filled with various books, some with visible titles, along with decorative items like a gnome and a golden object.
40mm f1.8 centre
Image showing a collection of cookbooks with titles in French, including 'Comme chez soi', 'les desserts de noël', 'FRUITS ET LEGUMES VERTS', and 'La bible du barbecue'.
A wooden cabinet filled with books and decorative items, including a gnome and golden pear-shaped object, behind glass doors.
40mm F1.8 corner
A close-up view of several book spines on a shelf, including titles like 'PHOTOGRAPHY', 'SCHIRMER/MOSEL', and 'S', showing details of the text and colors.

Sharpness in close up / Piqué en mise au point rapprochée

  • The sharpness in close up stay very good to excellent
  • Le Piqué en mise au point rapprochée reste très bon à excellent
A collection of various cookbooks arranged on a shelf, showcasing titles in French, with a 20 euro bill placed prominently in front of them.
17mm
Close-up of several cookbooks on a shelf, showing titles such as 'les desserts' and 'légumes'. The books are arranged in a row with varying colors and typography.
A collection of cookbooks displayed on a shelf, featuring titles in French, with a 20 euro banknote positioned in the foreground.
40mm
Close-up of several cookbook spines, featuring titles in French, including 'Fruits et Légumes' and 'Cuisine'.

Sharpness for portraits / Piqué pour les portraits

  • The sharpness for portraits is very good wide open and excellent as of F2.8
  • Le piqué pour les portraits est très bon à pleine ouverture et excellent à F2.8
Portrait of a woman with pink hair and a blue top, wearing multiple necklaces, against a blurred outdoor background.
F1.8
Close-up of a woman's eyes with blue eyeliner and eyebrows, showcasing detailed textures of the skin.
Portrait of a person with pink hair wearing a light blue top and jewelry, with a blurred background of a public space.
F2.8
Close-up of a woman's eyes showcasing makeup with blue eyeliner.
Portrait of a person with light pink hair styled with clips, wearing a sleeveless blue top, standing in a lively outdoor setting with blurred background elements.
F4
Close-up of a person's eyes showcasing detailed makeup with blue eyeliner.
A close-up portrait of a person with light pink hair styled with colorful clips, wearing multiple piercings and a necklace, with a blurred background featuring building facades and outdoor seating.
F1.8
Close-up of a person's eyes, featuring detailed eyelashes and eye makeup with blue accents.
Portrait of a person with pink hair styled with purple accessories, wearing a light blue top, posing in a busy square with blurred background elements.
F2.8
Close-up image of a person's eyes showcasing detailed makeup, including colored eyeliner and well-defined eyebrows.
Portrait of a person with pink hair and various accessories, set in a vibrant outdoor scene with blurred background elements.
F4
Close-up image of a woman's eyes with colorful eye makeup, showcasing details of the eyelids and eyelashes.
Portrait of a woman with curly red hair, wearing a black top, standing in a bustling street with blurred pedestrians in the background.
F1.8
Close-up of a person's eyes with defined eyelashes and subtle makeup, showcasing light reflections in the irises and curly red hair framing the face.
Portrait of a woman with curly red hair, wearing a sleeveless dress, standing in an urban location with a blurred background of people.
F2.8
Close-up image of a person's eyes with curly red hair in the frame.
Portrait of a person with curly red hair, standing in a bustling urban setting, with people blurred in the background.
F4
Close-up of a person's eyes with light-colored irises and reddish hair in the foreground.

Architecture-Landscape / Architecture-Paysage

  • Excellent performances for distant subjects like architecture or landscape
  • Excellent résultats pour du paysage ou de l’architecture
Close-up detail of a modern building facade showcasing geometric patterns and reflections in the windows.
17mm centre
Close-up view of the glass facade of a modern building, featuring blue-tinted windows with a grid pattern.
17mm corner F5.6
A view of a modern urban landscape featuring a unique architectural structure in the foreground with a large building displaying an image of a person in business attire on its facade.
17mm full size
View of the Royal Theatre of La Monnaie with its grand architectural facade and columns, set against a cloudy blue sky.
17mm F1.8
Close-up of ornate stone sculptures and architectural details on a building facade, featuring the inscription 'KONINKLIJK'.
Facade of the Theatre Royal de la Monnaie, featuring intricate sculptures and columns, with a blue sky in the background.
40mm F1.8
Close-up of a crown above the word 'KÖNIG', highlighted with intricate detailing and surrounded by architectural elements.
Facade of historic buildings adorned with gold accents and large windows, featuring a variety of architectural styles, located in a bustling city square.
40mm
Decorative architectural details of a building, featuring ornate patterns and inscriptions reading 'AN' and 'NO' among windows with gold accents.
40mm F1.8
Close-up of ornate architecture features, including carved details and window frames showing intricate design elements.
40mm F2.8
Close-up of ornate architectural details including gold accents and windows, featuring letters 'AN' and 'NO'.
40mm f5.6
A bustling plaza in Brussels showcasing ornate historical buildings with intricate architectural details, golden embellishments, and a crowd of people enjoying the scene.
17mm
Détails architecturaux d'un édifice, mettant en valeur des fenêtres argentées avec des colonnes enroulées et des ornements dorés.
17mm F1.8
Close-up view of ornate architectural details on a building facade, featuring decorative columns and golden accents around the windows.
17mm f2.8
Close-up view of ornate building facade featuring decorative golden accents and large windows with grid patterns.

2.2 Vignetting , chromatic aberrations , distorsion, flare, sunstars

  • Vignetting is quite visible wide open
    • 18mm disappear at F4
    • 40mm disappear at F5.6
  • Distorsion is in barrel at 17mm almost null at 23mm and in pincushion at 40mm
  • Chromatic aberrations are close to 0
  • LoCA are very important
  • Resistance to flare is very good
  • Sunstars are very good

2.2 Vignettage, aberrations chromatiques, distorsion, flare, effets d’étoiles

  • Le vignettage est important à pleine ouverture
    • 18mm il disparait à F4
    • 40mm il disparait à F5.6
  • La distorsion est en barillet à 18mm (assez importante) , nulle à 23mm, et devient en coussinet à 40mm
  • Les AC sont quasi nulles
  • Les aberrations chromatiques longitudinales sont très importante
  • La résistance au flare est très bonne
  • Les effets d’étoiles sont très bons
A beige bookshelf with glass doors showcasing a variety of books, decorative items, and a small plant, set against a white wall with floral decals.
17mm not corrected
A wooden bookshelf with glass doors, filled with various books and decorative items, accompanied by a nearby framed artwork and a wall with floral designs.
17mm corrected
A wooden bookshelf neatly organized with various books, a gnome figure, decorative objects, and a background framed by soft lighting.
23mm not corrected
A wooden bookcase with glass doors, filled with various books and decorative items including a gnome figurine, a pear-shaped object, and two round stones.
23mm corrected
A cozy bookshelf filled with various books and a small gnome figurine with a green hat on the left side, alongside a small round object with a golden top.
40mm not corrected
A cozy bookshelf display featuring various books, a green plush gnome with a white beard, and a decorative item with a golden top. The shelf has both closed and open sections, showcasing a rich assortment of literature.
40mm corrected
A close-up view of green foliage with sunlight streaming through, creating a natural, vibrant atmosphere.
17mm F1.8 CA /AC
A view looking up at bright green leaves with sunlight shining through, creating a starburst effect.
17mm F16
A close-up photograph of bright green leaves against a sunny sky, with sunlight streaming through the foliage, creating a glowing effect.
40mm F1.8 CA / AC
Sunlight filtering through green leaves with sunstars visible in the background.
40mm F16 flare
Close-up of an open book page with text, showing light reflections and a shallow depth of field.
17mm LoCA
Close-up of text in a book featuring the phrase 'The Toraja occupy where they built by'.
Crop 100%
Close-up of a page from a book showing printed text with a rainbow effect on specific words.
40mm LoCA
Close-up of a page of text with colorful lettering, showcasing various fonts and styles in detail.
Crop 100%

2.3 Bokeh / Color rendition – Bokeh / Rendu des Couleurs

  • The Bokeh balls are well circular at F1.8 and stay well rounded
  • The background blur is ok but not specially smooth,
  • Color rendition is very good and natural, contrast is very good
  • Les ronds de Bokeh sont bien circulaires à F1.8 et le reste en formant l’ouverture
  • Le flou d’arrière plan est correct mais pas aussi doux qu’espéré
  • Le rendu des couleurs est très bon et naturel, le contraste est très bon
A Playmobil figure dressed in a suit stands on a round base, with a blurred background of lights and curtains.
17mm f1.8
Playmobil figurine dressed in a suit standing on a black base with a blurred background featuring warm lights.
17mm F2.8
A Playmobil figure dressed in a vest and tie stands on a circular base, with blurred indoor decor and soft light in the background.
17mm F4
A detailed close-up of a Playmobil figure in focus, set against a blurred background featuring colorful bokeh lights.
23mm F1.8
A close-up image of a Playmobil figure dressed in a suit, with a blurred background featuring soft bokeh lights.
23mm F2.8
A Playmobil toy figure dressed in formal attire stands in focus against a blurred background featuring soft glowing lights, showcasing a shallow depth of field.
23mm F4
A Playmobil figure with brown hair and a blue suit stands in the foreground, with a blurry background featuring colorful bokeh lights.
40mm F1.8
A Playmobil figure with a smiling face in a formal outfit, standing in focus with a softly blurred background featuring colorful bokeh lights.
40mm F2.8
A close-up of a Playmobil figure in formal attire with a blurred background featuring colorful bokeh lights.
40mm F4
  • 40mm F1.8
  • 40mm F2.8
  • 40mm F4
  • 40mm F5.6
  • 17mm F1.8
  • 17mm F2.8
  • 17mm F4
  • 17mm F5.6
  • 40mm f1.8
  • 40mm F2.8
  • 40mm f4
  • 40mm F5.6
  • 17mm F1.8
  • 17mm F2.8
  • 17mm F4
  • 17mm F4
  • 40mm F1.8
  • 40mm F2.8
  • 40mm F4
  • 40mm F5.6
  • 17mm F1.8
  • 17mm F2.8
  • 17mm F4
  • 17mm F5.6
  • 40mm F1.8
  • 40mm F2.8
  • 40mm F4
  • 40mm F5.6
  • 17mm F1.8
  • 17mm F2.8
  • 17mm F4
  • 17mm F5.6
  • F1.8
  • F2.8
  • F4
  • F5.6
Close-up of purple flowers with a blurred background in a natural setting.
A close-up image of a padlock secured with a chain on a wooden gate, surrounded by green ivy.
A row of colorful thermo steel bottles from the brand 'waterdrop', featuring green, blue, and red options, displayed on a wooden shelf.
Postcards of Brussels displayed in a rack, featuring a vibrant sunset view of the Grand Place.
Close-up of several waffles topped with strawberries, chocolate drizzle, and whipped cream, labeled with flavors including 'Gaufre Fraise', 'Gaufre Fraise Chocolat', and 'Gaufre Fraise Banane Chocolat'.
A vibrant display of colorful handmade soaps arranged on wooden shelves, featuring various shapes and sizes resembling fruits and vegetables.
Colorful display of assorted bath bombs in various shapes including raspberry, carrot, and swirl designs, set on a circular white stand.
A display of pink raspberry-shaped candles on a round white table, with a small sign indicating the price.
Des fraises rouges juteuses dans des barquettes en plastique.

3 Video

  • Very good results in term of sharpness, color rendition , AF,
  • Bokeh balls are well rounded
  • Very nice rendering for portraits, Architecture
  • Focus breathing is very small
  • Très bon résultats en vidéo en terme de piqué, rendu des couleurs et AF
  • Les ronds de Bokeh sont biens ronds
  • Très beau rendu pour du portrait et l’architecture
  • Le focus breathing est très faible

Focus breathing

A Playmobil figure dressed in a suit with a blue tie, standing in front of a blurred bookshelf background.
40mm
A blurry figure in front of a bookshelf filled with various books and decorative items, including a gnome and a small sculpture.
A Playmobil figurine dressed in a suit, standing on a black surface with bookshelves in the background.
23mm
A blurred figure of a toy character in front of a white bookshelf filled with various books, displayed behind a glass door.
A Playmobil figure dressed in a vest and tie stands on top of a red camera accessory, with bookshelves and decor visible in the background.
17mm
A close-up of a Playmobil figure on a red spool, with a bookshelf and decorative wall in the background, featuring books and a floral design.

4 Comparison with other zoom/ Comparaison avec d’autres zoom

The main competitors are the / Les concurrents sont

Comparison of Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC lens and Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN lens side by side.
17-40 vs 18-50
Image showing two Sigma camera lenses side by side: the larger Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC on the left and the smaller Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN on the right, highlighting their design and relative sizes.
17-40 vs 18-50
Camera body of a Sony mirrorless camera with a Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 lens attached, featuring a lens hood and sleek design.
Comparison of two camera lenses side by side, featuring a Sony lens on the left and a Sigma lens on the right, both showcasing a sleek black design.
Comparison of two camera lenses side by side on a white background.
Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DCSigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DNTamron 17-70 F2.8Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G
Price / Prix1000 euros500 euros900 euros1150 euros
Weight / Poids529g290g525g494g
Length / Longueur117mm74,5mm119mm100mm
Diameter / Diamètre72,9mm65,4mm75mm73mm
Aperture / ouvertureF1.8F2.8F2.8F2.8
AF++++++++++++
Buttons / Ringfocus hold, AF/MF
click/declick		None / aucunNone / aucunfocus hold, AF/MF
Min focusing distance / Distance min de mise au point28cm12,1-30cm19-39cm33cm
Build Quality / Qualité de construction+++++++++++
Aperture blades / Lames de diaphragme11799
Filter / Filtre67mm55mm67mm67mm
Optical stabilisation / stabilisation optiqueNoNoYesNo
Weather Sealing / Protection tout tempsYesYesYesYes

The Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 is big compared to the sigma 18-50 but it has a similar size to the Tamron 17-70 F2.8 that covers a much bigger range

From a specifications perspective the Sigma 18-50mm is 30 to 40% lighter than the Tamron and Sony and 25-40% smaller ! It is much thinner than the others also. Its min focusing distance is among the best of the 3. Build quality is on par with the Sony and above the Tamron. Its only drawback vs the others is the more limited range and the number of aperture blades 7 i.o 9

The Sigma 18-50mm is proposed at a incredible price of 500 euros vs 900 euros for the Tamron , 1000 euros for the Sigma 17-40 and 1150 euros for the Sony

The Tamron is the only one proposing optical stabilisation which is a plus on APSC with non stabilized sensor like A6000, A6100, A6300, A6400

Le Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 est gros et lourd en comparaison du Sigma 18-50mm mais il a une taille similaire au Tamron 17-70mm qui couvre une plage beaucoup plus étendue

D’un point de vue spécifications, le sigma est 30-40% plus léger que le Sony et le Tamron et 25 à 40% plus petit ! Il est aussi beaucoup plus fin que les 2 autres. Sa distance min de mise au point est parmi les meilleures. La qualité de construction est au niveau du Sony et au dessus du Tamron. Son seul désavantage et sa plage focale plus limitée et le nombre de lames de diaphragme

Le Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 est proposé à un prix incroyable de 500 euros contre 900 euros pour le Tamron , 1000 euros pour le Sigma 17-40mm et 1150 euros pour le Sony

Le Tamron est le seul qui propose la stabilisation optiques ce qui est un gros plus pour les boitiers qui sont dépourvus de stabilisation capteur comme les A6000, A6100, A6300, A6400

Comparison of two camera lenses: the Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 and the Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G, mounted on Sony Alpha cameras.
Side-by-side comparison of two camera lenses mounted on Sony mirrorless cameras: a Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 lens on the left and a Sony 16-55mm F2.8 lens on the right.
Image showing two camera lenses side by side: a Sony 16-55mm f2.8 lens on the left and a Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 lens on the right. Both lenses feature a black finish with varying designs and markings for focal lengths.
Two black camera lenses are displayed side by side on a white background. The left lens is the Sony E 16-55mm f2.8 G, and the right lens is the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 DC DN. Both lenses feature smooth focusing rings and markings indicating focal lengths.

Sharpness / Piqué

Comparison of lens performances with ratings for sharpness at various apertures for Sony E 16-55 F2.8 G, Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III, Sigma 17-40 F1.8 DC DN, and Sigma 18-50 F2.8 DC DN.
  • The Sigma 17-40mm f1.8 is a notch better than the 3 other that are very similar very good to excellent performances.
  • Le Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 est légèrement meilleur que les 3 autres qui eux sont très proches

Portraits

There are little difference between the 3 lenses on the common range 18-50mm. All show very good performances for portraits with nice rendering of the skin , very good color rendition and smooth background blur., with maybe the Sigma 17-40 being less smooth than the the others

However the 2 Sigma are the best in term of bokeh balls , followed by the Sony , the Tamron even if allowing more background blur at 70mm and a little bit bigger bokeh balls , has only good sharpness 70mm, and its bokeh balls shows strong onion rings.

Il y a peu de différences entres les 3 optiques sur la plage focale commune (18-50mm). Toutes montrent de très bonnes performances en portrait avec un très bon rendu des peaux, de très belles couleurs naturelles et un flou d’arrière plan doux, le Sigma 17-40 est toutefois légèrement moins doux que les autres.

Néanmoins les 2 Sigma sont les meilleur est terme de formes es ronds de bokeh, suivi par le Sony, le Tamron lui, même si il permet plus de flou d’arrière plan grâce à sa focale de 70mm et fournit à cette focale de plus grand ronds de Bokeh, montre une chute d piqué à 70mm et les ronds de bokeh montrent des tranches d’oignons prononcés.

Portrait of a person with pink hair styled with hair accessories, wearing a light blue top and a necklace, set against a blurred background of buildings and outdoor seating.
Sigma 17-40mm F1.8
Close-up of a person's eyes, showcasing detailed makeup and reflections in the iris.
Close-up portrait of a smiling young woman with long blonde hair, wearing a colorful sweater, in an indoor shopping area.
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8
Close-up portrait of a young woman with long hair, wearing a colorful sweater, set against a blurred street background.
Sony 50mm F2.8
Close-up of a person's eye, showcasing detailed eyelashes and iris color.
Sigma 18- 50mm F2.8 crop 100%
Close-up of a person's eye, showcasing detailed eyelashes and a vibrant iris with reflections.
Sony 50mm F2.8 crop 100%
Close-up portrait of a young woman with shoulder-length hair, smiling slightly. The background features blurred festive lights and decorations, adding a warm ambiance.
Sony 55mm F2.8
Portrait of a young woman with long brown hair, smiling softly in front of a blurred festive background with circular lights.
Tamron 70mm F2.8
Extreme close-up of a person's eyes, showing details of the eyelashes and brow.
Sony 55mm F2.8
Close-up of a person's eye, showcasing details of eyelashes, eyebrows, and iris.
Tamron 70mm F2.8
A close-up photo showcasing circular bokeh effects with blurred yellowish lights against a green background.
Sony 55mm F2.8
Abstract image showcasing blurred circles of light in warm tones, creating a bokeh effect.
Tamron 70mm F2.8
Portrait of a young woman with red hair and freckles, standing in a shopping arcade with blurred background.
Sigma 45mm F2.8
E 16-55mm F2.8 G at 55 mm - 1-250 s à f - 2,8 à ISO 100-225
Sony 55mm F2.8
A smiling young woman with curly hair, wearing a sweater and a jacket, stands in a blurred outdoor setting with warm lights in the background.
Tamron 70mm F2.8

Background Blur & Bokeh Balls / Flous d’arrière plan et Ronds de Bokeh

  • The 2 Sigma show the best bokeh balls, The 18)50 the best rounded ones ,and the Sigma 17-40 the bigger ones but more ovals. The Tamron has the worst with some onion rings
  • Color rendering is very good on all lenses
  • All have smooth background blur except maybe the Sigma 17-40 a little bit less smooth
  • Le Sigma a les meilleurs ronds de bokeh, les plus doux, le Tamron les pires avec des tranches d’oignons
  • Toutes ont un flou d’arrière plan très doux mais le Sigma 17-40 est le moins bon du lot sur ce critère
  • Le rendu des couleurs est très bon sur les 3 optiques
Close-up of a Playmobil figure in formal attire, with a blurred bokeh background featuring blue light circles.
Sigma 17-40mm F1.8
Un figurine Playmobil habillée en costume, avec des cheveux bruns, se tient au premier plan, flou artistique en arrière-plan avec des lumières bokeh colorées.
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8
figurine Playmobil avec un costume noir et une cravate devant un flou d'arrière-plan coloré
Sony 55mm F2.8
A close-up of a Playmobil figure with brown hair and a suit, set against a background of colorful bokeh lights.
Tamron 55mm F2.8

Distorston / CA / Vignetting / Flare / Sunstars

  • Distortion: All shows quite some distortion at the wide angle (barrel) that become in pincushion on the tele position (pincushion). All requires a lens profile to correct it
  • Vignetting is visible on the 4 lenses
  • Chromatic aberrations: a little bit better on the Sigma & Tamron
  • LoCa are the worst on the Sigma 17-40mm
  • Sigma is the best followed by Sony and then Tamron
  • Sunstars are better on the Sony and the Sigma

Distorsion / AC / Vignettage / Flare / Effets d’étoiles

  • Distorsion : toutes les optiques montrent une distorsion notable en grand angle (barillet) qui devient en coussinet à la position tele (50-70mm). Les 3 optiques nécessiteront un profil de correction si vous travaillez en raw
  • Le vignettage est important sur les 4 optiques
  • Aberrations chromatiques : un peu mieux sur le Tamron et le Sigma
  • AC longitudinales : les pires sur le Sigma 17-40
  • Resistance au flare : Les Sigma sont les meilleur , suivi du Sony puis du Tamron
  • Effets d’étoiles : meilleur sur le Sony et le Sigma
A wooden bookcase filled with various books, some decorations visible, and a wall with a floral design.
Sigma 17mm not corrected
A white bookshelf filled with various books and decorative items, including a miniature ship on top and an ornate mask on the wall. There is a dark figure partially visible on the left, and a floral design on the wall.
Sigma 18mm F2.8 not corrected
A wooden cabinet filled with books and decorative items, accompanied by masks on the wall and a decorative vase on the side.
Tamron 17mm not corrected
E 16-55mm F2.8 G at 16 mm - 0,6 s à f - 2,8 à ISO 100-027
Sony 16mm not corrected
A bookshelf filled with various books and decorative items, including a colorful mask hanging on the right side and a decorative doll peeking from the left corner.
Sigma 28mm F2.8 not corrected
A close-up of a bookshelf with various books, decorative items, and a figurine on display, partially obscured by glass doors.
Tamron 35mm not corrected
E 16-55mm F2.8 G at 35 mm - 0,8 s à f - 2,8 à ISO 100-025
Sony 35mm F2.8 not corrected
A cozy bookshelf display featuring various books, a whimsical gnome doll, a decorative golden object, and a ceramic figure, all behind glass doors.
Sigma 17-40mm @40mmnot corrected
Books and decorative items arranged in a glass-fronted cabinet, with a label reading 'fleurs'.
Sigma 50mm F2.8 not corrected
A close-up view of a bookshelf featuring various books, some with visible titles in French, and a decorative item in front. The shelf has a glass door, creating a subtle reflection.
Tamron 55mm F2.8 not corrected
E 16-55mm F2.8 G at 55 mm - 0,4 s à f - 2,8 à ISO 100-013
Sony 55mm F2.8 not corrected
Image showing sunlight filtering through lush green leaves, with a clear blue sky in the background.
Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 CA /AC
Sunlight shining through green leaves with a starburst effect, framed by foliage.
Sigma 17-40mm F16
A bright outdoor scene with vibrant green leaves in the foreground, partially obscuring the sun peeking through the clouds, set against a blue sky.
Sigma 30mm F2.8 No CA / pas d’AC
Close-up of green leaves with sunlight peeking through, creating a starburst effect.
Tamron 33mm F2.8 : zero CA / pas d’Aberrations chromatiques
E 16-55mm F2.8 G at 55 mm - 1-8000 s à f - 2,8 à ISO 100-130
Sony 55mm F2.8 : Low CA
Photo showing sunlight shining through leaves with lens flare effects and a blue sky in the background.
Sigma 50mm F22 flare
A bright sun shining through a cluster of green leaves, creating a starburst effect with flare and a soft bokeh background.
Tamron 70mm F16 Flare & Sunstars
E 16-55mm F2.8 G at 55 mm - 1-125 s à f - 22 à ISO 640-117
Sony 55mm F16 : Flare & sunstars

Autofocus

The Sigma and the Sony show a bit better AF than the Tamron

Les Sigma et le Sony ont un AF un peu meilleur que le Tamron

Two Sony mirrorless cameras side by side on a white background, featuring a lens on each camera. The left camera is a Sony A7C with a Sigma lens, while the right camera is a Sony A6600 with a different lens.
Sigma 28-60 on A7C vs Sigma 18-50 on A6600

5 Sample of Photos / Exemples de Photos

Globally excellent results and a very versatile lens: excellent sharpness, natural color rendering, very good bokeh balls , efficient and fast AF

Globalement d’excellent résultats et une optique très polyvalente, un excellent piqué, un très beau rendu des couleurs, très naturel, de très beaux ronds de bokeh , un AF rapide et efficace.

A couple poses together in a vibrant marketplace, with historic buildings in the background and a cobblestone street below.
Stylish young woman posing in a light blue outfit with a ruffled top and baggy jeans, standing in a cobblestone square with outdoor seating in the background.
Two individuals pose in fashionable clothing in a bustling shopping arcade, surrounded by people and café tables, with colorful decor and a bright atmosphere.
Two women standing in a gallery, dressed in casual summer outfits with floral patterns, in an indoor setting with shops and cafes visible in the background.
Two women standing in a lively indoor shopping arcade, with a mix of visitors in the background. One woman has a floral dress and denim jacket, while the other wears a floral top and purple shorts.
A couple in the foreground making heart shapes with their hands, smiling at the camera, set against a backdrop of buildings and outdoor seating.
Close-up portrait of a young man with braided hair, wearing a light-colored sweatshirt and necklaces, in front of a blurred shop background.
Scaffolding structure alongside a pedestrian walkway, featuring vibrant colored stripes on the ground and green netting above.
Scaffolding structure lining a pedestrian pathway with a partially visible electric scooter, colorful barriers, and green netting.
A bustling street scene featuring a wide walkway lined with shops, with a diverse group of people walking and shopping, set under a partly cloudy sky.
Busy urban street scene with people walking and shopping, featuring various storefronts and advertisements.
A bustling urban square with a historic building featuring a dome, surrounded by modern architecture and people walking by.
View of a hotel building with a mix of modern and classic architecture, featuring glass and concrete elements along with greenery in the foreground.
A modern architectural structure with a large, geometric roof supported by a unique base, featuring a Starbucks storefront, surrounded by urban buildings and a colorful striped crosswalk.
A historical square featuring a statue at its center, surrounded by classical architecture and greenery, under a cloudy sky.
A colorful toy store interior displaying a 'Pick & Build' section with various colored building blocks on a wall, surrounded by shoppers, children, and a display case with toys.
A bustling indoor shopping arcade with people walking, colorful floral decorations hanging from the ceiling, and various shops and seating areas visible along the sides.
A bustling indoor shopping arcade with decorative overhead floral arrangements and shop windows on either side. People are seated at café tables while others walk through the space.
A busy street scene featuring people walking in a lively urban area, with shops and buildings lining both sides of the street. The atmosphere is vibrant, showcasing a mix of pedestrians engaged in various activities.
Colorful mural on a building at the end of an alley, surrounded by historical architecture.
Busy street scene with people walking in front of a yellow building displaying a sign that reads 'DRUG OPERA'. The building features Belgian colors and ornate architecture.
A busy indoor shopping arcade featuring various people walking and sitting at tables, with prominent storefronts including a Rolex shop. Artwork, including sculptures, is displayed amidst the historic architecture.
A bustling indoor shopping arcade features elegant architecture, luxurious store displays, and people enjoying their time at outdoor café tables.

6 Conclusion (English)

The Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC (1000 euros) is a unique zoom for Sony APSC , its performances are globally excellent and it can easily replace 3 prime lenses

This lens is quite big and its weight is above average but it is comparable to the Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD

The real competitor if you want another form factor is the Sigma 18-50 F2.8 DC DN (500 euros) much more compact and lighter with also very good to excellent performances

Highly recommended

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Pros

  • Excellent sharpness across the whole frame on all focal lengths
  • F1.8 Zoom
  • Very good bokeh balls
  • Very good color rendition
  • Very good contrast
  • Very good rendering for portrait and skins
  • Price in line with unique specs
  • Very good AF
  • All Weather resistance
  • Very good build quality
  • Very good ergonomics
  • Zoom does not extend
  • Low CA
  • Very nice sunstars
  • Very good resistance to flare
  • Very good behavior in video
  • Low focus breathing

Average

  • Background blur nice but could be smoother
  • Size and weight
  • Strong vignetting wide open but gone at F4
  • No optical stabilisation

Cons

  • Distortion is important
  • LoCA are important
A Sony mirrorless camera with a Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC lens attached, showcasing its features like focus buttons and a lens hood.

6 Conclusion

Le Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC (1000 euros) est un zoom unique pour les Sony APSC, Ses performances sont globalement excellentes et il peut remplacer 3 focales fixes

Il est assez imposant et son poids n’est pas négligeable mais c’est comparable au Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD

Le vrai concurrent si on veut quelques choses de plus compact et léger est l’excellent Sigma 18-50 F2.8 DC DN (500 euros)

A recommander sans hésitation

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Pour

  • Excellent piqué sur tout le champ et à toutes les focales
  • Zoom F1.8 unique
  • Très beaux ronds de Bokeh
  • Très bon rendu des couleurs
  • Très bon contraste
  • Très bon rendu pour les portraits
  • Prix raisonnable vue l’ouverture de ce zoom
  • Zoom qui ne s’allonge pas
  • Très bon AF
  • Protection tout temps
  • Excellente qualité de construction
  • Faibles AC
  • Très bonne résistance au flare
  • Beaux effets d’étoiles
  • Très bon comportement en vidéo
  • Faible focus breathing

Moyen

  • Flou d’arrière plan correct mais pourrait être plus doux
  • Taille et poids
  • Vignettage important à pleine ouverture , disparaît à F4
  • Stabilisation optique manquante

Contre

  • Distorsion importante
  • AC longitudinales importantes
A Sony camera body positioned in the foreground with a zoom lens attached, surrounded by three additional Sigma lenses of varying focal lengths, all featuring black exteriors and included lens hoods.

3 responses to “Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC”

  1. HPNFLP Avatar
    HPNFLP

    Merci pour le test ! (et tous les autres)
    Au final, on se retrouve avec un rapport Prix/Encombrement/Performances en basse lumière/profondeur de champ assez similaire entre ce zoom f/1.8 sur APS-C et un zoom f/2.8 sur Full Frame. Ça pourrait être intéressant de le comparer au Tamron 28-75 mm ou au Sigma 28-70 mm.

    Reply
  2. anon Avatar
    anon

    Kind of pointless lens tbh.. most people will already have one of the other standard zooms and just f1.8 at that size, weight and price? Similar problem the new Viltrox PROs have…
    Might as well go full frame at this point, at least Viltrox is cheap.

    Reply
    1. x Avatar
      x

      Dumb argument. Upgrading exiting zoom lenses to improve quality is how progress is made. You don’t have to buy it

      Reply

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