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Lenses

Sigma 35mm f1.2 DG Art II Review: This is What a 35mm Lens Should Be

Chris Gampat
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Last updated on 09/08/2025
09/09/2025
10 Mins read
A black Lumix camera with a large lens sits on a wooden surface next to other objects.
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The 35mm focal length is my favorite. So when a brand makes one, I automatically hold it to higher standards. Today, Sigma is announcing their new Sigma 35mm f1.2 II DG Art Lens (properly called the Sigma 35mm f1.2 DG Art II). I reviewed the original on L-mount and liked the look that it could deliver — but I ultimately thought that it was more of a specialized tool than anything else. After using the Sigma 35mm f1.2 II DG Art lens on paid gigs though, I can say with confidence that it’s probably going to be my next lens. This thing is incredible in so many different ways.

The Big Picture: Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Review Conclusions

As I’m typing up this review, I’m looking back on the images I shot for it with fondness. The Sigma 35mm f1.2 II DG Art lens is wonderful mostly because of the working experience that I can have with it. It’s fast, reliable enough, weather resistant, light enough, and is truly a lot of fun to work with. For the most part, it gets out of the way of making great images. But it mostly does that with LUMIX cameras more than anything else. Sony cameras tend to deliver images that lack imagination and give you the sad reality that we’re all trying to escape. Leica can do a great job — but still, nothing is beating LUMIX in this case.

For many years, the only f1.2 lens that I used regularly for work was the Canon RF 50mm f1.2 L. But this beats it in every single way except in the special way that Canon can make something look like it was shot on medium format.

The 35mm F1.2 DG | Art will cost $1,549. And even though I own the Leica 28mm f2 Apochromatic and the Panasonic 35mm f1.8, I’m considering getting this gem.

  • Sharp, but that’s obvious
  • Nice bokeh, obviously
  • Weather resistance
  • Fast to focus
  • Nails the subject when doing event photography. But you’ll have better luck if you’re stopped down a bit
The Phoblographer Editors Choice Award logo with a red camera graphic and text.
The Phoblographer’s Editor’s Choice award

Rating: 5 out of 5.

The Sigma 35mm f1.2 II DG Art lens receives 5 out of 5 stars and the site’s Editor’s Choice award.

Experience

If you’re coming to this website for the first time, welcome. For a day job, I’m the Editor in Chief of this publication. But on the side, I’m a gainfully employed photographer who makes taxable income from the gigs that I do. And what I deliver are images, not my own presence on a social media platform. For most of this year, I’ve used L-mount camera to do my gigs. And typically, I’ve used Panasonic and Leica lenses because Sigma’s have often lacked the imagination that I’ve wanted from the scenes that I shoot. But with LUMIX cameras and sometimes a lens filter or two, things can change. With my Panasonic S1II E and the S5 II, I can load up the simulated looks of Kodak Portra 400, 160, and 800. And then I shoot the exact same way that I would when shooting film. This way, I get a look that holistically doesn’t always feel digital.

A digital camera with a large lens rests on a wooden table next to cans and containers.
SIGMA 35MM F1.2 II ART PRODUCT IMAGES
A black DSLR camera with a large lens sits on a wooden surface with a camera strap attached.
SIGMA 35MM F1.2 II ART PRODUCT IMAGES
A black DSLR camera with a large lens is placed on a wooden surface next to a small electronic device.
SIGMA 35MM F1.2 II ART PRODUCT IMAGES
A close-up of a camera lens on a wooden desk with blurred objects in the background.
SIGMA 35MM F1.2 II ART PRODUCT IMAGES
A black Lumix camera with a large lens sits on a wooden table under soft lighting.
SIGMA 35MM F1.2 II ART PRODUCT IMAGES
A digital camera with a large lens and strap rests on a wooden desk under soft lighting.
SIGMA 35MM F1.2 II ART PRODUCT IMAGES

That’s what I realized when I used the Sigma 35mm f1.2 II DG Art on my gig shooting Plant Con 2025 here in NYC. The autofocus felt snappier than several other L-mount lenses I’ve used, tested, and own. But in low light, I really experienced this when the lens was stopped down a bit more. In low light, it can truly have some focusing inaccuracies if you’re shooting wide open. But if you ever so slightly stop down to like f1.4, it becomes peak. That kind of blows my mind because I’d been expecting this from the 135mm f1.4 instead — and believe it or not, the 135mm is the more accurate lens.

In good lighting, the autofocus tracking will be doing just fine.

There’s one really memorable moment that I had with the Sigma 35mm f1.2 II DG Art. When the marketing director for Plant Con was coming out of an elevator, I realized she was there. I immediately pointed the camera and lens at her, held my flash up, and got the shot instantly. I’d never have that with older Sigma lenses. But in this case, it did the job so well.

The Sigma 35mm f1.2 II DG Art is weather resistant, has a clicky aperture ring, feels good in the hand, and is lightweight enough that the experience never seems to get in the way of shooting. I adore this lens and how the performance simply lets me focus on shooting and making photos. Part of this has to do with how LUMIX and Leica have improved their autofocus performance.

Now, I said earlier that I’m considering buying this lens even though I own a Leica 28mm f2 and a Panasonic 35mm f1.8. Realistically speaking, if you own the 35mm f1.8, I don’t think that it’s worth getting the Sigma 35mm f1.2 II DG Art unless you want to shoot at f1.2 all the time. But here’s the thing: only photographers will really be able to tell the difference between the photos. Your clients and their social media followers won’t care.

Sure I could probably talk about the image quality of this lens, but believe it or not, I don’t think that it’s worth discussing all that much. Optically speaking, I really can’t tell much of a difference between the Sigma 35mm f1.2 II DG Art and the LUMIX 35mm f1.8 in my own work. I only know the differences because I mostly remember what I’m using when I do a gig. Instead, you’re buying this lens for the performance and the versatility.

Image Quality

To recap what I said earlier, this feels like an optically standard lens unless you’re attaching it to LUMIX cameras. I realistically don’t care to stare at the bokeh all day because when I photograph people, my job is to make them look good. And these days, any lens can pretty much do that. For the record, if you’re shooting real-life, you’re not going to sit there ruminating over 100% sharpness, how the lights in the background look like onions, or anything else. And in my tests, no one made any of those complaints about my images. Instead, they loved the vibe that I delivered.

Keep note of this: even when shooting with the Sigma 35mm f1.2 II DG Art stopped down and with a flash, I didn’t have a complaint about being able to see someone’s pores. Part of that is how LUMIX can render images.

With all this said, I encourage you to get real about image quality these days. I’ve asked the industry to give us more chromatic aberration control, and honestly, I would’ve loved some swirly bokeh with this lens.

The following images aren’t edited.

Two smiling people stand behind trays of small sandwiches, ready to serve at an indoor event.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Man wearing glasses and a furry hat with a chin strap, smiling indoors at a social event.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
People painting and crafting at a table covered with art supplies, paper, and colorful decorated items.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Woman in denim dress holding a drink, walking indoors with motion blur, background out of focus.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Two men sit indoors talking, holding drinks and a phone, both wearing event lanyards.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Smiling man in a wide-brim hat and patterned shirt touches his hat at a party; another holds a drink nearby.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Two women smiling and posing together indoors at a social gathering, with people in the background.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Person with red hair, bold blue eye makeup, and glasses on head, standing at a social gathering.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Three smiling women pose together indoors at an event, wearing badges and casual clothing.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
A woman takes a selfie while others browse items on a table at an indoor market or event.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Three women smiling at night with a lit bridge in the background.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Four smiling people with conference badges pose together indoors, holding drinks and wearing casual outfits.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Two people smiling and flashing peace signs at an indoor event, wearing badges and floral shirts.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
A woman in a pink bucket hat and glasses smiles indoors, standing in front of glass doors.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
A woman with curly hair shuffling a deck of cards at a table, wearing a lanyard and a sleeveless top.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
A person uses a blowtorch to caramelize a dessert on a tray in a modern kitchen.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Three people smiling and holding cocktails, posing together at a social event.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Six women sit on a ledge indoors, eating and talking, with glass windows and people in the background.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Three people in tropical outfits smile at an indoor event, holding drinks and snacks, with city lights behind them.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Two women standing; one looks left, the other covers her face with a phone, showing tattoos and jewelry.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
A diverse group of people stand in line inside a brightly lit, modern indoor space.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art sample image
A woman in casual clothes sits relaxed on a park bench, smiling with her hand resting on her face.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art sample image
Three camera lenses in a camera bag, viewed from above, with a blurred outdoor background.
A size comparison. Profoto B20 on the left. B30 in the center. And the original B10 on the right.
Woman with curly hair looking down, wearing a lanyard, indoors with warm lighting.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Two women stand by a green plant with a sign that reads WIN ME at an indoor event.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Two people smiling and holding drinks at an indoor social event with others in the background.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
A table with tarot cards laid out, plants, a phone stand, and a flower on a dark cloth.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Two women smiling and holding drinks with a city river and bridge in the background at sunset.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Two people with lanyards drink cocktails by a window with a bridge and water in the background at sunset.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Four people exit an elevator; the woman in front smiles excitedly and gestures with her arms.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
A smiling person with braided hair poses confidently, wearing a lanyard and glittery top against a warm background.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Three people sit and smile indoors with a city bridge visible through large windows behind them.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Two women with drinks pose and smile by a window, with a city bridge and river in the background.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Three people stand indoors at an event, eating snacks and wearing name badges on lanyards.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
A group of people socializing indoors at a casual event, holding drinks and chatting.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
A group of people talking and eating at an indoor social gathering or event.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Woman in a white hat and sweater smiling and holding a cocktail in a modern indoor setting.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Four people smiling at night with a lit bridge in the background; some wear PLANTCON NEW YORK VOLUNTEER shirts.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Two women pose and smile at night with a brightly lit suspension bridge in the background.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Four smiling volunteers pose together, some wearing “PlantCon Volunteer New York” shirts at an event.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Two women posing and smiling in front of a lit-up bridge over water at dusk.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Person with short curly hair sticking out their tongue, photographed up close with dramatic lighting.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Woman in a yellow shirt smiling and eating, with a flower tucked in her dark hair.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Five smiling women pose together indoors at a social event, some holding drinks, with modern decor in the background.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Woman using her phone at a kitchen counter with food trays, while a person cooks in the background.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Three smiling people pose together at an event, each wearing badges and lanyards around their necks.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Four smiling people at a lively indoor gathering, one holding a drink and others holding cards and a small stuffed animal.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Two people smiling at a social event; one flashes a peace sign. Other people are mingling in the background.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Two people smiling by a “WIN ME” sign, holding cups, with plants and clothes in the background.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Rows of slider sandwiches on white plates with wooden sticks, displayed on a black tablecloth.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image
Two women at a market booth wearing “in my plant era” shirts, displaying plant-themed products and artwork.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art Sample Image

The following photos are edited.

A group of people sit in white chairs, attentively watching an event in a brightly lit indoor space.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art sample image
A woman stands at a podium next to a sign language interpreter on stage with a large green leaf illustration.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art sample image
Woman smiling and holding a green potted plant at an indoor event, wearing a white shirt and cap.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art sample image
Smiling woman holding large green plants, partially hidden by leaves, at an indoor market or event.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art sample image
A smiling man with dreadlocks holds a small potted cactus in a bright indoor setting.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art sample image
Woman with glasses holding a large green leaf indoors, with people and plants in the background.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art sample image
Smiling woman holding two small potted plants, one in each hand, at an indoor market or event.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art sample image
Smiling woman holding a potted cactus, wearing earrings and sunglasses on her head.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art sample image
Smiling woman holding two potted plants, one in each hand, in a bright indoor setting.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art sample image
Smiling woman with glasses and flower crown holds two potted plants, one in each hand, indoors.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art sample image
A smiling person holds a small potted plant up to their face at an indoor event.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art sample image
Smiling woman with large glasses holds a small potted plant next to her face at an indoor event.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art sample image
Smiling man holding a large green plant at an indoor event with people in the background.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art sample image
A smiling man with sunglasses on his head holds a large leafy plant indoors, with people in the background.
Sigma 35mm f1.2 II Art sample image

If anything, I think I like my unedited work more. There’s more life to it. And there are some autofocus flaws that you can embrace as part of the look and the vibe that you’re hired for.

Really, I think that you’d buy the Sigma 35mm f1.2 DG Art II for the performance more than the optical image quality. Optically speaking, this lens is lacking imagination and therefore, I doubt most people would be able to tell the difference between this and what an AI puts out.

This lens, if anything, is proof that the photographer behind the camera really matters.

Tech Specs

Product Name Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG II | Art
Product Line Art
Lens Construction 17 elements in 13 groups
FLD Glass0
ELD Glass0
SLD Glass1
Aspherical Elements4
Angle of View L-Mount: 63.4°Sony E-mount: 63.4°
ApertureNumber of Diaphragm Blades11
Rounded Diaphragm✓
Minimum ApertureF16
Minimum Focusing Distance28cm / 11.1in.
Maximum Magnification Ratio1:5.3
Filter Sizeφ72mm
Dimensions (Diameter x Length*)L-Mount: φ81.0mm x 111.4mm / φ3.2in. x 4.4in.Sony E-mount: φ81.0mm x 113.4mm / φ3.2in. x 4.5in.
*The length of a lens is measured from the front of the lens to its mount
WeightL-Mount: 755g / 26.6oz.Sony E-mount: 745g / 26.3oz.
 
Edition Number A025
Supplied AccessoriesPouchLens Hood LH782-04Front Cap LCF-72 IVRear Cap LCR III
Mount / Product BarcodeL-Mount: 00-85126-37069-5Sony E-mount: 00-85126-37065-7

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The Phoblographer is one of the last standing dedicated photography publications that speaks to both art and tech in our articles. We put declarations up front in our reviews to adhere to journalistic standards that several publications abide by. These help you understand a lot more about what we do:

  • At the time of publishing this review, Sigma is not running direct-sold advertising with the Phoblographer. This doesn’t affect our reviews anyway and it never has in our 15 years of publishing our articles. This article is in no way sponsored.
  • Note that this isn’t necessarily our final review of the unit. It will be updated, and it’s more of an in-progress review than anything. In fact, almost all our reviews are like this.
  • None of the reviews on the Phoblographer are sponsored. That’s against FTC laws and we adhere to them just the same way that newspapers, magazines, and corporate publications do.
  • Sigma loaned the unit and accessories to the Phoblographer for review. There was no money exchange between us or their 3rd party partners and the Phoblographer for this to happen. Manufacturers trust the Phoblographer’s reviews, as they are incredibly blunt.
  • Sigma knows that it cannot influence the site’s reviews. If we don’t like something or if we have issues with it, we’ll let our readers know.
  • Sigma paid for shipping of the lens to and back. This is a standard practice in the world of journalism.
  • The Phoblographer’s standards for reviewing products have become much stricter. After having the world’s largest database of real-world lens reviews, we choose not to review anything we don’t find innovative or unique, and in many cases, products that lack weather resistance. Unless something is very unique, we probably won’t touch it.
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More can be found on our Disclaimers page.

Bokeh image quality panasonic sigma sigma 35mm f1.2 sigma 35mm f1.2 dg art ii sigma 35mm f1.2 ii sl2s weather sealed
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Chris Gampat is the Editor in Chief, Founder, and Publisher of the Phoblographer. He provides oversight to all of the daily tasks, including editorial, administrative, and advertising work. Chris's editorial work includes not only editing and scheduling articles but also writing them himself. He's the author of various product guides, educational pieces, product reviews, and interviews with photographers. He's fascinated by how photographers create, considering the fact that he's legally blind./ HIGHLIGHTS: Chris used to work in Men's lifestyle and tech. He's a veteran technology writer, editor, and reviewer with more than 15 years experience. He's also a Photographer that has had his share of bylines and viral projects like "Secret Order of the Slice." PAST BYLINES: Gear Patrol, PC Mag, Geek.com, Digital Photo Pro, Resource Magazine, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Finance, IGN, PDN, and others. EXPERIENCE: Chris Gampat began working in tech and art journalism both in 2008. He started at PCMag, Magnum Photos, and Geek.com. He founded the Phoblographer in 2009 after working at places like PDN and Photography Bay. He left his day job as the Social Media Content Developer at B&H Photo in the early 2010s. Since then, he's evolved as a publisher using AI ethically, coming up with ethical ways to bring in affiliate income, and preaching the word of diversity in the photo industry. His background and work has spread to non-profits like American Photographic Arts where he's done work to get photographers various benefits. His skills are in SEO, app development, content planning, ethics management, photography, Wordpress, and other things. EDUCATION: Chris graduated Magna Cum Laude from Adelphi University with a degree in Communications in Journalism in 2009. Since then, he's learned and adapted to various things in the fields of social media, SEO, app development, e-commerce development, HTML, etc. FAVORITE SUBJECT TO PHOTOGRAPH: Chris enjoys creating conceptual work that makes people stare at his photos. But he doesn't get to do much of this because of the high demand of photography content. / BEST PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: Don't do it in post-production when you can do it in-camera.
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