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.
Hands-On at CP+ 2026: Surprisingly Compact
Photographers who got hands-on time at the Sigma booth came away impressed by one thing above all: the size. For an 85mm with an f/1.2 maximum aperture, the lens is remarkably compact and light.
According to hands-on reports from Phototrend, the lens measures approximately 12cm in length (without hood) — nearly identical to both the 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art II and 50mm f/1.2 DG Art. That’s an impressive engineering achievement for a longer focal length that requires significantly larger glass elements.
While Sigma hasn’t published an official weight, reviewers who held the prototype estimate it at roughly 900–950g. If accurate, that’s potentially 250g lighter than the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM (1,195g) and the Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.2 S (1,160g). That difference adds up after a full day of portrait shooting.
The lens hood is reportedly quite bulky, adding roughly 40% extra length — something to keep in mind for bag space.
In an interview with Phototrend, Sigma CEO Kazuto Yamaki explained: “It is very difficult to develop an f/1.2 lens with high optical performance in a relatively compact size. Thanks to several technologies at our disposal, we are able to design the 35, 50, and 85mm f/1.2 lenses with very high optical performance in reasonable dimensions and weight.”
Build Quality and Controls
Hands-on impressions confirm the lens follows Art series design codes with high-quality materials and weather sealing. Notable controls include:
- AF/MF switch on the barrel
- Two customizable buttons positioned for access in both landscape and portrait orientation — a thoughtful touch for a portrait lens
- Click ON/OFF switch on the aperture ring for smooth video transitions
- A-mode lock switch to lock the aperture ring, leaving control to the camera body
Confirmed Specs
Between the development announcement and hands-on impressions, here’s the full picture:
- Full name: Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG | Art
- Mounts: Sony E-mount and Leica L-mount
- Autofocus: Dual HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) motor
- Maximum aperture: f/1.2
- Minimum aperture: f/16
- Minimum focus distance: 0.84m
- Filter thread: 82mm
- Field of view: 28.6°
- Image stabilization: No
- Weather sealing: Moisture and dust-resistant
- Estimated dimensions: ~12cm long, ~900–950g (unofficial)
Sigma has not yet disclosed the full optical formula (number of elements and groups), so detailed optical performance comparisons will have to wait until closer to launch.
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, the size difference is striking: at roughly 12cm and 900–950g, the Sigma is approximately 20% lighter and more compact than either the Canon (117.3mm, 1,195g) or Nikon (141.5mm, 1,160g). Note that since the Sigma is only available in E-mount and L-mount, it’s not a direct mount competitor — but the engineering comparison highlights just how far Sigma has pushed the envelope.
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:
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