Image: Sigma Lens names can be complicated things. Companies often try to fit every detail of the lens into the name, resulting in a string of abbreviations. While Sigma isn't the worst offender, it tends to stack quite a few terms into the names of its lenses.
In this article, we'll be breaking down terms specific to Sigma lenses so that you can more easily gather relevant features and technologies without having to be a Sigma engineer.
Lens format and series designations
While many companies list some designations at the very beginning of a lens name, Sigma keeps all of its terms after the focal length and aperture. The first acronyms refer to the lens format and, when applicable, the lens series.
DG, DC and DN
Like other companies, Sigma has specific acronyms to identify whether a lens is designed for full-frame or APS-C cameras. DG is Sigma's designation for full-frame lenses, while DC is for APS-C (often called crop sensor) cameras.
DN is Sigma's term that indicates a lens is made for mirrorless cameras. Since Sigma produces mirrorless lenses for both full-frame and APS-C cameras, you may see DN in combination with either DG or DC. However, Sigma has dropped the DN on newly released mirrorless lenses, as it is no longer developing new DSLR lenses. As a result, you won't see DN on the latest Sigma lenses, even though they are mirrorless optics.
A, C, S and I
The silver 'A' on the lens body means it's part of the Art line of Sigma lenses.
Image: Sigma
Sigma also offers four specific lens series that focus on different capabilities tailored to various types of photographers. If you see an 'S' in the lens name, it means the lens is part of the Sports line, which, as you may guess, is made for documenting action such as sports and wildlife. The Spots lineup consists of telephoto and super telephoto prime and zoom lenses made to handle rough conditions. They offer shock resistance and more advanced weather sealing, along with customization opportunities through on-lens controls.
An 'A' means the lens is part of the Art line, which prioritizes optical performance. These lenses typically feature fast apertures and are available in both prime and zoom lens formats. Sigma says that the Art line is for those who want creative outcomes over compactness and multifunction, so they aren't as compact or lightweight as its other lens lineups.
The 'C' stands for Contemporary, which prioritizes portability and convenience. The Contemporary lineup consists of a mix of prime and zoom lenses, covering just about every focal length. However, in every format, the focus remains on keeping the lenses compact and lightweight. As a result, they are ideal for travel, casual snapshots and other similar applications.
I series lenses come in both black and silver.
Image: Sigma
Lastly, the I series is the company's smallest lens lineup, consisting of just nine lenses at the time of writing. It functions as a subset of the Contemporary lineup. Like the Contemporary line, the I series is a collection of compact, mid-price, medium-fast aperture lenses. However, it differs from the broader Contemporary lineup because all the I series lenses are primes designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras. They also all feature metal construction, manual aperture rings and high-end build quality. The lenses offer retro looks and come in both silver (to match the silver Sigma BF) and black.
Lens features and autofocus
While not always in the lens name, Sigma also has some specific terms related to autofocus and other lens features.
OS
The Sigma 70-200mm f/2. 8 DG DN OS Sports lens offers optical stabilization, as indicated by the 'OS' in the name and on the lens.
Image: Sigma
OS, which stands for Optical Stabilizer, is Sigma's optical stabilization technology. As with any stabilization feature, it aims to reduce blur associated with the motion of the camera. It helps obtain sharper images when using slower shutter speeds, which is especially helpful on telephoto lenses and when working in low-light conditions.
HSM and HLA
If you see 'HSM' in a Sigma lens name or description, it indicates that the lens uses the company's patented Hyper Sonic Motor for autofocus. This motor, as the name suggests, is an ultrasonic-type autofocus motor, which results in fast, quiet and accurate autofocus. It's commonly found in many of Sigma's Art, Sports and Contemporary lenses.
The Sigma 'HLA,' or High-response Linear Actuator, is its newest autofocus motor. It allows for faster autofocus performance, with more responsive subject acquisition and tracking to keep up with modern mirrorless cameras.
Lens technology
Finally, Sigma uses some proprietary lens elements that you may see mentioned in lens descriptions. Its FLD (F Low Dispersion) element mimics fluorite elements (which is what the 'F' stands for), though it is less expensive. Sigma says it is the "highest level low dispersion glass available," and it offers extra control of chromatic aberrations.
ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) is another type of glass element that reduces chromatic aberrations for better clarity and color fidelity even in challenging lighting conditions. Finally, the oldest of the bunch: SLD (Special Low Dispersion). This element is yet another that reduces optical aberrations. It was first introduced on the Sigma 50-200mm F3. 5-4. 5 in 1984.
. dpreview.com2025-11-22 17:00
