Sigma has officially announced the development of the 85mm F1.2 DG Art lens at CP+ 2026 in Yokohama, Japan. A working prototype was on display at the Sigma booth, with a full launch planned for September 2026. The lens will be available in Sony E-mount and Leica L-mount.
This is the third and final lens in Sigma’s f/1.2 prime lineup, joining the 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (released April 2024) and the 35mm f/1.2 DG II Art (released September 2025). Sigma has confirmed the f/1.2 trilogy is now complete — no additional f/1.2 primes are planned.
For Sony E-mount and L-mount portrait shooters, this could be one of the most significant lens announcements of 2026. Here’s everything we know so far.
First Look: The Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG Art
Sigma’s official product render reveals a lens that follows the Art line’s signature industrial design language — matte black barrel, textured focus ring, and a dedicated aperture ring with click stops from f/1.2 to f/16 plus an “A” (Auto) position. The lens hood is integrated in the render, and the 82mm filter thread matches the 50mm f/1.2 sibling, which is convenient for photographers already invested in that filter size.
Hands-on impressions from the CP+ show floor have been positive. Phototrend described the lens as “surprisingly compact” for an f/1.2 design — a claim that holds up when you consider that the existing 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art weighs just 745g and measures 10.8cm long, making it significantly more portable than competing f/1.2 primes from Canon and Nikon.
Completing the f/1.2 Trilogy
Sigma has been methodically building out its f/1.2 Art prime lineup over the past two years. The 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art arrived in April 2024, followed by the 35mm f/1.2 DG II Art in September 2025. Both launched at $1,549 and were praised for delivering exceptional optical quality at a fraction of what Canon and Nikon charge for their native f/1.2 options.
The 85mm completes the set. With 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm covered, Sigma now offers a full f/1.2 portrait and reportage kit for mirrorless shooters on Sony and L-mount systems. That’s a significant competitive advantage for those platforms.
What We Know So Far
Details are still limited since this is a development announcement, but Sigma has shared several key specs:
- Full name: Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG | Art
- Mounts: Sony E-mount and Leica L-mount (no Canon RF or Nikon Z)
- Autofocus: Dual HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) system for fast, quiet focusing
- Filter thread: 82mm
- Aperture ring: Dedicated mechanical ring with f/1.2–f/16 markings and Auto position
- Design: Described as “compact and lightweight” for an f/1.2 lens
Sigma is promising “exceptional resolution right from maximum aperture” along with smooth rendering and gradual background blur — exactly what portrait photographers want to hear.
What 85mm f/1.2 Bokeh Actually Looks Like
The 85mm focal length at f/1.2 delivers the shallowest depth of field available from any autofocus prime lens — isolating subjects from backgrounds with a creamy, dimensional quality that wider apertures at shorter focal lengths simply can’t match. Here are real-world samples shot with existing 85mm f/1.2 lenses, courtesy of SampleShots:
Want to see more? Browse 708 sample photos shot with the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II and 38 samples from the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 S on SampleShots:
How It Compares to Canon and Nikon
This is where things get interesting. The 85mm f/1.2 space has traditionally been dominated by two expensive options:
- Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM: ~$2,699, 1,195g (2.6 lbs), 117.3mm long
- Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.2 S: ~$2,797, 1,160g
Both are excellent lenses, but they’re heavy, large, and expensive. Sigma’s existing 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,099, 630g) has been the go-to alternative for shooters who wanted great 85mm performance without the bulk or price tag — but it topped out at f/1.4.
If the new 85mm f/1.2 follows the pricing of its siblings (both the 35mm and 50mm f/1.2 launched at $1,549), Sigma would undercut Canon and Nikon by roughly $1,100–1,250 — that’s 40–45% cheaper. And based on CP+ impressions, it appears to be notably more compact as well. For reference, the 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art weighs 745g and measures 10.8cm long.
Pricing and Availability
Sigma has not announced official pricing. However, both the 35mm f/1.2 DG II Art and 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art launched at $1,549, so that’s the most likely price point for the 85mm as well.
The lens is expected to ship in September 2026 in both Sony E-mount and Leica L-mount. There’s no indication of Canon RF or Nikon Z versions at this time — meaning Canon and Nikon shooters who want f/1.2 will continue to pay the premium for their native options.
Why Portrait Photographers Should Care
The 85mm focal length is the classic portrait lens, and f/1.2 delivers the shallowest depth of field and most dramatic background blur (bokeh) you can get from a prime lens. Until now, getting that combination meant spending $2,700+ on a Canon or Nikon body and lens system.
Sigma’s track record with the Art line speaks for itself. The brand has consistently delivered optical quality that rivals or matches first-party lenses at significantly lower prices. If the 85mm f/1.2 follows that pattern — and early impressions suggest it will — Sony E-mount and L-mount portrait photographers are getting a serious tool at a much more accessible price point.
Combined with Sigma’s dual HLA autofocus system (proven fast and quiet in the 50mm f/1.2), this lens has all the ingredients to become the portrait lens to beat in 2026.
We researched the following sources for this article: