Conclusion

The Sigma 24mm F3.5 DG DN is a a super-sharp, super-compact and super-built wide-angle prime lens that doesn't cost the earth.

Its main selling points are undoubtedly its superlative build quality, vintage feel and small size and weight.

Coming across like a Zeiss Loxia but with auto-focusing, the Sigma 24mm F3.5 DG DN is an incredibly well-built lens considering its mid-range price-tag,

From the weather-proof all-metal construction to the incredible attention to detail, such as the beautifully damped aperture and focus rings, ribbed lens hood and the clever, and free, magnetic lens cap, it's clear that Sigma have lavished a huge amount of time and love on this lens.

The traditional aperture ring is a feature that we love on any lens, and Sigma's implementation of it on the 24mm F3.5 DG DN is nigh on perfect.

It has a lovely action, positive enough movements between the 1/3rd aperture stops, and a pronounced gap between f/22 and the Auto setting so that you can't inadvertently select it.

The only thing that we would have liked to see is a way of de-clicking it for video use.

The stepping motor auto-focus system is virtually silent, satisfyingly, quick, and almost 100% reliable.

The ability to shoot at 1:2 magnification at just 11cms away from your subject does open up a lot of creative macro opportunities. The macro capabilities of the Sigma 24mm F3.5 DG DN are one of the main reasons for considering this lens.

This lens is also a great performer optically, being pin-sharp throughout virtually all of the frame, even when shooting wide-open at f/3.5.

Vignetting is a little heavy wide-open, but chromatic aberrations and barrel distortion are well-controlled in both the JPG and Raw files and the bokeh is nice enough for such a slow lens.

Compared to its main rival, the Tamron 24mm F2.8 has the main advantages of offering a faster maximum aperture and it's significantly cheaper, too, especially in the US.

But the Sigma is streets ahead when it comes to build quality, handling, auto-focusing speed and quietness, image quality and features like the aperture ring and focus switch. In short, we'd pick the Sigma over the Tamron unless the price difference is really a major issue.

Some photographers will bemoan the slow maximum aperture, but this is precisely what makes the Sigma 24mm F3.5 DG DN such a remarkably small lens, in turn making it a great walkaround option for every-day and all-day use.

Sigma have obviously put a lot of time and energy into making the 24mm F3.5 DG DN a uniquely designed, very compact and high-performing lens that doesn't forget to be optically excellent.

Ratings (out of 5)
Design	5
Features	4.5
Ease-of-use	4.5
Image quality	4.5
Value for money	4