DESIGNED for DIGITAL versus LECACY LENSES:

Lenses designed for 35mm SLR cameras need to resolve the scene over an image circle into which the 24mm x 36mm sized 35mm negative will fit. Digital cameras replace the film with a sensor that has, up to quite recently, been of a less size than the 35mm negative. It follows that to achieve the same degree of resolution in enlargements of equal size from 35mm and a smaller digital sensor, the lens used in front of the digital sensor needs to have greater resolving power. Now, some 35mm SLR lenses will resolve detail that is 'good enough' to be used on reduced size sensors but not all SLR lenses are optically up to the task. In designing and manufacturing lenses for DSLR's makers are aware of this fundamental problem. Thus 'designed for digital' lenses such as Zuiko Digital lenses for the E-system's four-thirds sensor produce higher levels of resolution than the older OM Zuiko or Olympus 'legacy' lenses, and Olympus Imaging is proud of this approach.

Sigma too recognise this and have also produced a range of lenses designed exclusively for use on the smaller sensors of many DSLR camera system's i.e. APS, 4/3rds etc. Sigma has notated these lenses as DC. Sigma also maintain that some of their 'lecacy' lenses which have been optically tweaked to offer enhanced resolution adequate for use on digital sensors, be it full frame or reduced sensor size. Sigma notate these lenses as DG. As at September 2006 Sigma offer 5 DC lenses and XX DG lenses in the 4/3rds mount

This page places DC lenses in the first section and DG lenses in the second (to come shortly). This is a new section on the biofos site, so please be patient as I put it all together. At moment I do not have much information on the range of Sigma offerings for 4/3rds other than generally available on the Internet, although I have reviewed 2 of the DC lenses (30mm x f1.4 & 55-200mm x 4-5.6) - see the links below. I hope to improve on this soon so please watch this space.

PLEASE NOTE: The Sigma official release pdf's listed in the links below do not appear to have been updated as they do not list the lenses as available in FOUR-THIRDS fit. Please ignore this.

18-50mm x 2.8

Sigma 18 - 50mm x 2.8; EX; IF; ASP; DC.

General description: A large aperture standard zoom lens extends shooting opportunities. Designed specially for digital SLR cameras. On 4/3rds bodies the EFL is 36-100mm.

GET Sigma's official release pdf here.

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18-50mm f/3.5-5.6 DC

Sigma 18 - 50mm x 2.8; ASP; DC.

General description: Specially designed to suit the characteristics of digital Single Lens Reflex cameras. On 4/3rds bodies the EFL is 36-100mm.

GET Sigma's official release pdf here.

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18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC

Sigma 18 - 125mm x 3.5~ 5.6; IF; ASP; DC.

General description: Specially designed to suit the characteristics of digital SLR cameras, this compact and lightweight lens is now a reality. On 4/3rds bodies the EFL equivalent is 36-250mm.

GET Sigma's official release pdf here.

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30mm x 1.4

Sigma 30mm x 1.4: EX; HSM; ASP; DC.

General description: An ultra fast standard lens exclusively designed for use with digital SLR cameras. On 4/3rds bodies the EFL equivalent is 60mm; a slightly telephoto 'standard' lens.

GET Sigma's official release pdf here.

BIOFOS REVIEW v 1.03: Sigma 30mm x f1.4 fast prime lens here.

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55-200mm x 4~5.6

Sigma 55-200mm x 4~5.6: DC.

General description: A budget and lightweight but powerful medium tele to telephoto lens, ideal for travelling. On 4/3rds bodies the EFL equivalent is 110-400mm telephoto lens.

GET Sigma's official release pdf here.

BIOFOS REVIEW: Sigma 55-200mm (comparison) here.

18-50mm x 2.8

Sigma 18 - 50mm x 2.8; EX; IF; ASP; DC.

General description: A large aperture standard zoom lens extends shooting opportunities. Designed specially for digital SLR cameras.

On 4/3rds bodies the EFL equivalent is 36-100mm.

Go direct to Sigma's website page here.

Link to articles/review/information here.

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18-50mm f/3.5-5.6 DC

Sigma 18 - 50mm x 2.8; ASP; DC.

General description: Specially designed to suit the characteristics of digital Single Lens Reflex cameras.

On 4/3rds bodies the EFL equivalent is 36-100mm.

Go direct to Sigma's website page here.

Link to articles/review/information here.

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18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC

Sigma 18 - 125mm x 3.5~ 5.6; IF; ASP; DC.

General description: Specially designed to suit the characteristics of digital SLR cameras, this compact and lightweight lens is now a reality.

On 4/3rds bodies the EFL equivalent is 36-250mm.

Go direct to Sigma's website page here.

Link to articles/review/information here.

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30mm x 1.4

Sigma 30mm x 1.4: EX; HSM; ASP; DC.

General description: An ultra fast standard lens exclusively designed for use with digital SLR cameras.

On 4/3rds bodies the EFL equivalent is 60mm; a slightly telephoto 'standard' lens.

Go direct to Sigma's website page here.

Link to articles/review/information here.

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55-200mm x 4~5.6

Sigma 55-200mm x 4~5.6: DC.

General description: A budget and lightweight but powerful medium tele to telephoto lens, ideal for travelling.

On 4/3rds bodies the EFL equivalent is 110-400mm telephoto lens.

Go direct to Sigma's website page here.

Link to articles/review/information here.

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