Summary
- Adobe Camera Raw 18.5 now supports the Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG Art.
- Sigma plans to release the lens in September 2026.
- It will be available for Sony E-mount and L-Mount full-frame cameras.
- The autofocus system uses two High-response Linear Actuator motors.
- Full specifications, dimensions, weight and pricing have not yet been announced.
Adobe Camera Raw 18.5 has added support for the Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG Art, providing the clearest indication yet that the launch of Sigma’s new fast portrait lens is drawing closer.
The lens remains officially under development, and Sigma has not yet announced its exact release date, price or complete specifications. However, its appearance in Adobe’s lens-support database suggests that the technical preparations required for commercial availability are already well advanced.
What Camera Raw 18.5 Reveals
The inclusion of the Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG Art in Camera Raw 18.5 is not an official launch announcement. It does show, however, that Adobe already has the data needed to identify the lens and apply the appropriate optical corrections.
Lens profiles in Camera Raw, Lightroom and Photoshop are used to correct distortion, vignetting and other optical characteristics. Creating these profiles normally requires cooperation with the manufacturer and access to technical information before a product reaches the market.
What Sigma Has Officially Announced
Sigma announced the development of the 85mm F1.2 DG Art in February 2026 and displayed a prototype at the CP+ exhibition in Japan. The company has identified September 2026 as the planned launch window.
The lens is designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras and will be offered in Sony E-mount and L-Mount versions. Sigma describes it as a fast medium-telephoto lens intended primarily for portrait photography.
According to Sigma, the optical design aims to deliver exceptional resolution even at the maximum f/1.2 aperture while producing the extremely shallow depth of field associated with such a fast lens.
Autofocus will be driven by two HLA, or High-response Linear Actuator, motors. The dual-motor system is intended to provide fast and accurate focusing despite the demands created by the large optical elements required for an f/1.2 design.
What Remains Unknown
Sigma has yet to disclose the complete optical construction, dimensions, weight, filter diameter, minimum focusing distance or maximum magnification. Although the company describes the lens as compact and lightweight, those claims cannot be evaluated until numerical specifications are available.
Pricing also remains unknown. Sigma’s 35mm F1.2 DG II Art and 50mm F1.2 DG DN Art were introduced in the United States at approximately $1,549 and $1,539 respectively, but those figures should only be treated as context rather than a reliable indication of the 85mm lens’s final price.
Completing Sigma’s Fast Art Prime Lineup
The new 85mm will become Sigma’s longest full-frame f/1.2 prime. It joins the 35mm F1.2 DG II Art and 50mm F1.2 DG DN Art to form a three-lens family aimed at professional photography and video production.
For portrait, wedding, fashion and event photographers, the f/1.2 aperture offers stronger subject separation and additional flexibility in low light. Its practical value will depend on wide-open image quality, autofocus reliability, chromatic-aberration control, weight and price.
Sony E-Mount and L-Mount Options
In L-Mount, the Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG Art is expected to be the first autofocus lens of its kind and effectively the first 85mm f/1.2 option for the system.
Sony E-mount users already have access to the manual-focus Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 85mm f/1.2, while the autofocus SongRaw 85mm f/1.2 AF MS has also been announced. Sigma is likely to target a different segment, emphasizing optical performance, construction quality and professional autofocus.
What It Means for Photographers and Creators
For portrait, wedding, fashion and event photographers, f/1.2 offers greater control over depth of field and additional flexibility in low light. It does not automatically make the lens a better choice than a lighter 85mm f/1.4.
The extremely shallow focus area at f/1.2 places greater demands on autofocus, especially with moving subjects. The dual-HLA system may therefore prove more important in practice than the aperture advantage alone.
Videographers will also want to know about focus breathing, manual-focus behavior and balance on a gimbal. Sigma has not yet disclosed those details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG Art Been Officially Announced?
Sigma has officially announced its development and shown a prototype, but complete specifications, pricing and the exact availability date remain unconfirmed.
When Is It Expected to Launch?
Sigma has identified September 2026 as the planned launch month. Support in Camera Raw 18.5 suggests that this schedule remains active.
Which Mounts Will Be Available?
The lens has been announced for Sony E-mount and L-Mount. No Canon RF or Nikon Z version has been confirmed.
How Much Will It Cost?
Pricing has not been announced. Sigma’s 35mm and 50mm f/1.2 Art lenses cost approximately $1,550 in the United States, but that does not confirm the price of the new 85mm.
Why Is Adobe Support Important?
It indicates that at least part of the technical preparation needed for Adobe software to recognize the lens and apply suitable optical corrections has been completed.
What We Think
The appearance of the Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG Art in Camera Raw 18.5 does not reveal the final announcement date, but it is a strong sign that development is approaching its final stage. The lens could become an important portrait option for Sony E and L-Mount photographers, although its ultimate position in the market will be decided by four factors: performance at f/1.2, autofocus reliability, weight and price.
