Summary
- The Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG Art is scheduled for September 30, 2026, in Sony E-mount and L-Mount.
- It weighs 905g and features two HLA actuators and a 13-blade diaphragm.
- The official German price is €1,499, with no confirmed Greek price.
The Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG | Art arrives on September 30, 2026, for Sony E-mount and L-Mount, weighing 905g.
On September 8, Sigma announced the full specifications and release schedule for its new fast portrait lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras. The company’s official announcement moves the 85mm F1.2 DG | Art from the development phase to its scheduled commercial release, with a specific date and detailed specifications.
For portrait, wedding and fashion photographers, the appeal lies in combining f/1.2 with a body weighing less than one kilogram. It provides additional scope for controlling depth of field and shooting in low light, but it is not automatically a more practical choice than a lighter 85mm f/1.4.
From the development announcement to release
PTTL covered the Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG Art development announcement in February and, in August, its appearance in Adobe Camera Raw 18.5. At that stage, important details such as weight, dimensions and the exact availability date remained unknown.
The new lens joins the 35mm F1.2 DG II | Art and 50mm F1.2 DG DN | Art, forming Sigma’s trio of fast primes spanning wide-angle to medium-telephoto focal lengths.
What 905g actually means
Sigma describes the new lens as the smallest and lightest in the class of autofocus 85mm f/1.2 lenses for full-frame mirrorless cameras, based on its own research in September 2026. That qualification matters: the comparison concerns this specific aperture class, not every 85mm lens.
The official specification table lists 905g for both mounts. Diameter is 87.2mm, while length is 119.7mm for the L-Mount version and 121.7mm for Sony E-mount.
For an existing Sigma user, the more meaningful comparison is with the 85mm F1.4 DG DN | Art, which weighs 630g in L-Mount and 625g in Sony E-mount. Moving to f/1.2 therefore adds 275g or 280g, depending on the mount.
How much more light does f/1.2 provide?
Based on the ratio of the nominal apertures, moving from f/1.4 to f/1.2 represents a theoretical gain of approximately 0.44 stops, or roughly 36% more light. It is not a full stop, nor is it a measurement of the two lenses’ actual light transmission.
That advantage can be used for a faster shutter speed or a lower ISO when other conditions remain unchanged. At the same time, shallower depth of field demands greater focusing accuracy. This makes autofocus performance at least as important as the aperture number itself.
Optical design and wide-open performance
The optical construction comprises 17 elements in 12 groups, including two SLD elements and aspherical elements to reduce optical aberrations. The diaphragm has 13 rounded blades, intended to preserve more circular out-of-focus highlights when stopped down. Minimum focusing distance is 84cm, and the filter diameter is 82mm.
High resolution from f/1.2 is a central claim made by Sigma. However, the manufacturer’s description should not be confused with the conclusion of an independent review.
Autofocus and handling for photography and video
Focusing uses two HLA linear actuators, while Sigma says the design reduces focus breathing, meaning changes in the angle of view as focus shifts. Controls include two AFL buttons and an aperture ring with a de-click option and a locking switch.
The lens features dust and splash resistance, along with a water- and oil-repellent coating on the front surface. It is not waterproof, as the company itself clarifies.
European pricing and availability in Greece
Sigma’s official German website lists the 85mm F1.2 DG | Art at €1,499. This is a specific price for the German market, not a confirmed Greek price.
The release date provided in the central announcement is September 30, 2026. At the time of writing, a separate Greek price or date for the first local deliveries has not been confirmed, so the announcement should not be interpreted as a guarantee of immediate availability in Greek stores.
What we think
The new 85mm is genuinely interesting for photographers who regularly use very wide apertures, but not necessarily for every owner of an 85mm f/1.4. The f/1.2 aperture provides additional creative scope, but comes with a noticeable increase in weight compared with Sigma’s corresponding f/1.4. Whether that trade-off is worthwhile will depend primarily on image quality wide open and focusing reliability—not specifications alone.
Frequently asked questions
Will it be released for Canon RF or Nikon Z?
This announcement covers only Sony E-mount and L-Mount. It does not include a Canon RF or Nikon Z version.
Is it lighter than the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art?
No. The new f/1.2 weighs 905g, compared with 630g for the f/1.4 in L-Mount and 625g in Sony E-mount.
Can the same screw-in filters be used as on the Sigma 85mm f/1.4?
Not directly. The new f/1.2 uses 82mm filters, whereas the 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art uses 77mm filters.
