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The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art is the second-generation version of Sigma’s flagship standard zoom, and it’s a far more significant update than the “II” badge suggests. Rather than a mild refresh, Sigma rebuilt the lens from the ground up with a new optical formula, a faster HLA autofocus motor, and a body that’s roughly 10% lighter and 7% smaller than the original. For Sony E-mount (and L-mount) shooters who want professional-grade performance without paying the Sony GM II premium, it’s one of the most compelling lenses to arrive in 2024.

What Makes the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Art Special

• Classic 24-70mm f/2.8 constant-aperture range — the workhorse for events, weddings, and everyday work
• New 19-element/15-group optical design with 6 FLD and 2 SLD low-dispersion elements for high resolving power
• HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) motor — Sigma claims up to 3× faster autofocus than the original
• Roughly 10% lighter and 7% smaller than the first-generation Art zoom
• De-clickable aperture ring, dual AFL buttons, and a zoom lock switch
• Dust- and splash-resistant build with water- and oil-repellent front coating

Image Quality

The optical formula packs 19 elements into 15 groups, including six FLD and two SLD low-dispersion elements plus five aspherical elements. The result is excellent sharpness that holds up across the frame wide open at f/2.8 and improves further when stopped down. Independent tests show clearly better resolving power than the first-generation Art lens, particularly on high-resolution bodies like the Sony a7R V. The 11 rounded aperture blades keep out-of-focus highlights nicely circular, and Sigma’s Nano Porous and Super Multi-layer coatings keep flare and ghosting well controlled in backlit scenes.

Autofocus & Speed

The switch to an HLA linear motor is the single biggest functional upgrade. Autofocus is fast, near-silent, and decisive, and it tracks moving subjects confidently. Sigma claims up to three times faster focusing than the original, and in practice the lens feels immediate — it pairs cleanly with Sony’s real-time Eye AF and subject tracking, snapping into focus without hunting.

Video

The near-silent HLA motor and minimal focus breathing make this a strong hybrid option for video. The de-clickable aperture ring lets you ride exposure smoothly mid-shot without the stepped “clicks” showing up in the footage, and the smooth, well-damped focus pulls suit run-and-gun shooting. There’s no optical stabilization on board — you’ll rely on your camera’s IBIS — but that’s standard for fast zooms in this class.

Design & Handling

At about 735 g for the Sony E version, the lens is roughly 85 g lighter than the original and only slightly heavier than Sony’s GM II. The barrel is metal and weather-sealed, with a rubber gasket at the mount. The addition of an aperture ring (with a lock and click on/off switch), two customizable AFL buttons, and a zoom lock switch brings the handling in line with premium first-party lenses — a welcome step up from the original, which had none of these.

Full Specifications

Sigma 24-70mm II Art vs. the Competition

Verdict

At $1,219, the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art delivers a large slice of the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II’s performance at roughly half the price. For event, wedding, portrait, and general-purpose shooters on Sony E-mount, it’s an easy recommendation: sharp, fast-focusing, and dramatically improved in handling over the original. The only real trade-offs are the absence of optical stabilization (standard in this class) and a little extra weight versus the GM II.

What Amazon Buyers Say

The lens holds a 4.5 out of 5 star average across 391 global ratings at the time of writing. Here’s how those ratings break down:

Read the full set of buyer reviews on the Amazon reviews page.

FAQ

Does the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art have image stabilization?
No. The lens has no optical stabilization and relies on the in-body image stabilization (IBIS) of your camera, which is standard practice for fast standard zooms.

Is it fully compatible with my Sony camera?
Yes. It’s a native Sony E-mount lens with full electronic communication, so continuous autofocus, Eye AF, and in-camera lens corrections all work on Sony E-mount bodies.

How does it compare to the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II?
It’s noticeably cheaper ($1,219 vs ~$2,298) and slightly heavier (735 g vs 695 g), while delivering very close image quality and excellent autofocus. The Sony still edges it out in outright corner sharpness and top-end AF speed, but the Sigma gets you most of the way for about half the money.