The Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM is a truly excellent lens, that performs as well in the field as its superb lab test results suggest. With fast silent focusing and solid build, its lower price makes it a compelling alternative to the camera manufacturers' equivalents if you don't need weather-sealing.

Photographers looking for a top-notch, fast 35mm autofocus prime without breaking the bank.;

Anyone who shoots a lot in damp or dusty conditions;

At the time of its launch in 2013, the Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM Art ($899) was a revelation. As the first full-frame prime lens in the company's Global Vision Art series it made a big impact, undercutting other f/1.4 lenses in price without sacrificing image or build quality. Over the time since we first reviewed the lens the competition has gotten stiffer, and image sensors have dramatically increased in resolution, so we're updating our take to look at the lens on both 20MP and 50MP bodies. Even though it falls a little short of the Canon competition when paired with a 50MP sensor, it retains our Editors' Choice based on its value and superb performance with more mainstream cameras. The stiffest competition in its price range is the Tamron SP 35mm f/1.8 Di VC USD ($559.00 at Amazon) , another Editors' Choice that sacrifices some light-gathering capability and shows more chromatic aberration, but adds image stabilization, a boon for handheld video recording. Design The 35mm Art ($...

The Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM Art captures crisp images, opens up to f/1.4, and undercuts competing lenses on price.

Very sharp; Wide aperture; Attractive price; Available for multiple camera systems; Solid build quality; Eligible for mount conversion

Heavy vignette effect; Omits image stabilization; Not the best option for ultra-high-resolution cameras