TurboVS
Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art specifications and in-depth review

Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art

Manufacturer: Sigma

The Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art is a full-range zoom lens designed for Sony E mount cameras, covering a focal range from 28mm to 45mm. Its standout characteristic is the constant f/1.8 maximum aperture across the entire zoom range, which holds at both the wide and telephoto ends. The lens ships with a hood included, features a non-rotating front element, and is built with a metal mount and weather sealing for added durability in varied shooting conditions.

Optically, the lens offers a maximum angle of view of 75.4° at 28mm and narrows to 51.3° at 45mm, with a maximum magnification of 0.25x and a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m. The aperture system uses 11 rounded blades, with a minimum aperture of f/16 at the wide end and f/22 at the telephoto end. Focusing is handled by a built-in silent motor that supports full-time manual override and can focus to infinity. Optical image stabilization is not included in the lens itself.

Pros
  • A constant f/1.8 aperture across the full 28–45mm zoom range allows consistent exposure and depth-of-field control without adjusting settings as you zoom
  • The 11 rounded aperture blades are designed to produce smooth, circular bokeh, which is particularly useful for portrait and subject-isolation work
  • A built-in silent focus motor with full-time manual override makes the lens well-suited for both stills and video, where quiet operation and on-the-fly focus adjustments matter
  • Weather sealing and a metal mount add meaningful build resilience for use in outdoor or unpredictable conditions
  • The non-rotating front element keeps polarizing and graduated filters properly aligned throughout the zoom range
  • A 0.3 m minimum focus distance allows reasonably close subject framing at the wide end of the zoom range
Cons
  • No built-in optical image stabilization means the lens relies entirely on the camera body for stabilization when shooting handheld in low light
  • At 950 g, the lens is on the heavier side, which can become noticeable during extended handheld shooting sessions
  • The 1.6x zoom ratio covers a relatively narrow focal range, limiting compositional flexibility compared to wider-ranging zoom lenses
Who is this for?

This lens is well matched to Sony E mount shooters who prioritize subject separation and consistent exposure across a zoom range, particularly for portrait, street, and environmental photography where a constant f/1.8 aperture delivers reliable depth-of-field control without compensating as focal length changes. The silent focus motor with full-time manual override makes it a practical choice for video work where quiet, smooth focusing is important. Photographers who frequently use polarizing or graduated filters will also benefit from the non-rotating front element, and the weather-sealed metal build suits those who shoot regularly in outdoor or variable conditions.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who need a wide zoom range for travel or event shooting will find the 1.6x zoom ratio spanning only 28–45mm too limiting for varied compositional needs in a single lens. The 950 g weight makes it less suited to shooters who prioritize compact, lightweight setups for extended handheld use or travel. Those shooting in challenging low-light situations without a camera body that provides in-body stabilization may also struggle, as the lens offers no optical image stabilization of its own.

General info:

lens type Zoom
lens mount Sony E
is weather-sealed (splashproof) ✓
Has a metal mount ✓
weight 950 g
Front element doesn't rotate ✓
Includes lens hood ✓
filter size 82 mm

This is a zoom lens built for the Sony E mount, constructed with a metal mount and weather sealing for splash resistance. It weighs 950 g, accepts 82 mm filters, and features a non-rotating front element that makes using polarizing or graduated filters more straightforward. A lens hood is included in the box.

Optics:

maximum focal length 45 mm
minimum focal length 28 mm
has built-in optical image stabilization ✕
maximum angle of view 75.4°
minimum angle of view 51.3°
magnification 0.25x
optical zoom 1.6x

The lens covers a focal range of 28mm to 45mm, delivering a 1.6x optical zoom ratio with a maximum angle of view of 75.4° at the wide end and 51.3° at the telephoto end. Maximum magnification reaches 0.25x, and the lens does not include built-in optical image stabilization.

Aperture:

wide aperture (main camera) 1.8f
widest aperture at maximum focal length 1.8f
aperture blades 11
Has rounded aperture blades ✓
smallest aperture at maximum focal length 22f
smallest aperture at minimum focal length 16f

The lens maintains a constant maximum aperture of f/1.8 across the entire zoom range, holding that value at both 28mm and 45mm. The minimum aperture is f/16 at the wide end and f/22 at the telephoto end. The diaphragm uses 11 rounded blades, which contributes to a smooth, circular bokeh rendering when shooting at wider aperture settings.

Focus:

Can focus to infinity ✓
Has focus motor ✓
Has full-time manual focus ✓
has a silent focus motor built into the lens ✓
minimum focus distance 0.3 m

The lens is equipped with a built-in silent focus motor that supports full-time manual focus override, allowing the focus ring to be adjusted at any time without switching out of autofocus mode. It can focus from a minimum distance of 0.3 m through to infinity.

Benchmarks:

Final Verdict

The Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art is a focused tool for Sony E mount photographers who value optical consistency over zoom range versatility. Its defining characteristic — a constant f/1.8 aperture held across the full 28–45mm range — combined with 11 rounded aperture blades, a silent focus motor with full-time manual override, and a weather-sealed metal build, makes it a technically well-specified lens for portrait, street, and video work. The narrow zoom range and absence of optical stabilization do place real boundaries on where it fits comfortably, and the 950 g weight is worth factoring in for handheld-heavy workflows. For the right Sony E mount user, however, this lens represents a deliberate and capable choice built around aperture consistency and build quality.

Popular Comparisons

Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art
Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art
VS
Panasonic Lumix S 24-60mm f/2.8
Panasonic Lumix S 24-60mm f/2.8