The Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary is the lens to buy after the kit lens. It covers the same range as most APS-C kit zooms, roughly 27-75mm in full-frame terms, and it does it at a constant f/2.8. That’s up to two stops more light than a typical f/3.5-5.6 kit zoom at the long end, in a lens that weighs only about 290 grams.

Sigma launched it in 2021 for Sony E-mount and L-Mount. Fujifilm X-mount followed in 2023, and Canon RF-mount in 2024 when Canon opened its APS-C mount to Sigma. That makes it one of the few lenses you can buy for nearly every APS-C system covered on this site.

Sigma’s first mirrorless 24-70mm f/2.8 Art, from 2019, was sharp and good value, but its autofocus lagged behind Sony’s own G Master. The Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Art, announced in May 2024 at $1,199, fixes that. New HLA linear motors make autofocus more than three times faster, Sigma says, and the lens gains an aperture ring and better close focus.

It’s available for Sony E-mount and L-Mount, the system Sigma shares with Panasonic and Leica.