Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM | A

£1,149/$1,299

Pro performance, bargain price Lens mount s Canon EF, Nikon F

Sigma’s 24-70mm Art goes head-to-head with own-brand Canon and Nikon counterparts – and beats them both for sharpness, while featuring image stabilisation lacking in the Canon lens. It also massively undercuts both own-brand lenses for selling price. Although the Sigma isn’t a fully weather-sealed lens, it has a rubber seal on its mounting plate and a fully pro-grade feel.

The zoom and focus rings are silky smooth in operation, and the ring-type ultrasonic autofocus system is superfast and highly accurate. Better still, it comes with switchable options for regular or manual-priority override.

Performance

Image quality is simply stunning, combining superb sharpness and contrast with beautiful bokeh. Colour fringing and distortions are minimal, and vignetting is low.