Conclusion

Sigma have clearly hit another home-run with the launch of the new 50mm F1.2 DG DN Art, a compelling standard prime lens that ticks all of the boxes and more.

On E-mount we've strongly recommended the Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM as the ultimate 50mm prime for the last few years, but that's no longer the case with the release of the Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN, which matches its Sony rival in virtually every regard at a significantly lower price-point.

In the L-mount eco-system there is no real direct alternative, with Panasonic only offering an f/1.4 prime that's significantly larger, heavier and more expensive than this new Sigma offering.

In short, unless you really can't bring yourself to buy anything but Sony/Panasonic/Leica lenses for your corresponding camera body, if you want a fast fifty then the Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN currently offers the best combination of features, performance and price.

This relatively lightweight and compact delivers excellent sharpness in the centre of the frame throughout its aperture range, even performing really well wide-open at f/1.2 and impressively also offering similar quality at the edges too.

In spite of the standard 50mm focal length, the unprecedented 13-blade aperture, f/1.2 maximum aperture and 40cm minimum focusing distance combine to produce some lovely bokeh effects.

This lens features fast, near-silent, reliable auto-focusing on the Panasonic Lumix S5II camera that we tested it with, with the Click and Lock switches for the aperture ring making it well-suited to both stills and movies.

It offers a high level of build quality, plus it's usefully dust and moisture resistant too, although not fully water-proof.

In short, the Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN Art as the ultimate 50mm lens that money can buy for Sony Alpha and L-mount camera owners alike...

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