Sigma Releases BF Mirrorless Camera Alongside 300-600mm f/4 & 16-300mm Lenses

Over five years on from the release of their first full-frame L-mount mirrorless camera, Sigma is providing us an update with the “radically simple” BF. This camera features an aluminum unibody and a trimmed down control scheme that brings things down to the essentials. Alongside the camera, Sigma is going big with the release of the stunning 300-600mm f/4 DG OS Sports, an even more versatile APS-C all-in-one zoom.

An Intuitive, Simple Vision for Digital Cameras: the BF

One thing to expect about any new Sigma camera is to never expect anything when it comes to design. Sigma’s past cameras have shown experimental shapes, forms, and sensors that often placed them in the hands of photographers who could never find their ideal camera anywhere else. The BF is a striking new vision for modern mirrorless camera systems that presents a sleek aluminum design with a pared back control experience that will make this an excellent partner for those looking to capture everyday life.

Just looking at the camera will reveal an appealing aesthetic that is unmatched by anything else in the industry. It features a true aluminum unibody—the first full-frame camera to ever offer such as design—that is incredibly rigid. To even make the body requires seven hours of machining from a single, solid block of aluminum. The size and weight balance wonderfully with Sigma’s renewed I series optics.

A sleek body is nothing without a sleek set of controls and Sigma has refined the control scheme in the BF. It has a completely redesigned interface that breaks down main functions, secondary settings, and management settings across three menus. The main display is a 3.15” touchscreen which serves as your usual live view while a status monitor provides at-a-glance information. When combined with the rear dial you can quickly and intuitively get to the exact setting you need.

With minimal controls, just three buttons, one dial, and a shutter release, the BF is designed to let photographers focus on what matters—the photographs. It also features haptics in the dial and buttons to minimize physical wear and create a modern experience.

The camera also features internal storage—230GB to be exact—which supports up to 14,000 JPEGs, 4,300 RAW photos, or 2.5 hours of the highest-quality video. A fast 10 Gb/s USB-C port makes it easy to offload data and charge the camera.

Now, time to talk about the image quality. The BF features a 24MP BSI CMOS sensor—a standard for modern imaging. This sensor updates from Sigma’s past with a hybrid autofocus system that blends phase-detect and contrast-detect tech for fast, accurate focus. The camera will even record up to 6K video at up to 30p and offers L-Log for maximum dynamic range.

A powerful imaging pipeline and a streamlined design aim to deliver the simplest and most frustration-free shooting experience you can find today.

All the Super Tele Primes in One Package: the 300-600mm f/4

Sigma’s long history of lens development has a smattering of super telephoto options over the years—including only one serious prime since joining their L-Mount Alliance. They have also been known for unique offerings, such as the APO 200-500mm f/2.8 EX, which is one of the most specialized designs we have ever seen and shows photographers the answer to the oft asked question, “Why not just make everything an f/2.8 constant?” (The answer is, to anyone who knows better, a gigantic and very expensive lens.)

That all brings us to today, just days before the CP+ show in Japan, where Sigma has revealed a groundbreaking 300-600mm f/4 DG OS Sports Lens. A full-frame lens available in Sony E and L-Mount, this is an incredible zoom offering for professional photographers. Having a constant aperture for such a long focal length makes this lens competitive with primes, but with the obvious advantage of versatility—it basically offers shooters 300, 400, 500, and 600mm primes all in one package and without needing to change lenses or add a teleconverter.

This is clearly a professional lens as Sigma has packed all its advanced imaging tech into it. It is a constant f/4 aperture, and it features internal zoom to minimize weight shifts during shooting. It also has plenty of low dispersion and high-refractive index glass to minimize aberrations. Add on a high-thrust HLA autofocus motor and 5.5 stops of optical stabilization and you have a solid performer for sports, wildlife, and other distant subjects.

Operation of the lens has been enhanced with the addition of a function ring that can be set to Focus Preset or Power Focus modes. The preset option will allow you to instantly have the lens shift to a set focus position while the power focus allows for smooth focus shift at a constant speed, something ideal for video.

Befitting a large telephoto zoom, the 300-600mm features a rotating tripod socket as well as a drop-in filter holder. And, of course, it has been weather sealed.

The 300-600mm f/4 is an interesting new option for sports and wildlife photographers who want the ultimate in super telephoto versatility. And what may be the most shocking is the price. With a launch price of $5,999 Sigma managed to bring absurd value to a unique lens with little competition beyond primes that often cost many thousands more.

An Even More Versatile APS-C All-In-One: the 16-300mm

Oft maligned, the “basic” all-in-one zoom lens is a staple for photographers who want extreme versatility and no fuss—just slap this one optic on your camera and shoot anything and everything. Sigma is making their APS-C all-in-one even more “all” with the 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS Contemporary Lens. This extends the wide end since Sigma’s last all-in-one zoom and creates an equivalent zoom range of 24-450mm. Whether it is a sweeping landscape, a gorgeous portrait, or distant wildlife, this lens will make sure you can capture it.

Available for Sony E, L-Mount, FUJIFILM X, and Canon RF systems, the 16-300mm is going to be a a versatile pick for many shooters. It’s headline 18.8x zoom range is the top feature, though a 1:2 maximum magnification ratio and up to 6 stops of optical image stabilization make it a complete package. An HLA motor also ensures speedy, accurate autofocus to complete the package.

These lenses maintain a tough balance of size, range, and price and Sigma has seemed to figure out the ideal set of features to make the 16-300mm you see today.

Compact Quality—Redesigned I Series Lenses

Not as flashy as other brands, Sigma’s I series should not be overlooked. This series, ever since the release of the 45mm f/2.8 alongside the fp, has signified compact, premium designs with high image quality—something that aligns with the original vision of mirrorless systems.

This system features the following:

• 20mm f/2 DG Contemporary
• 24mm f/2 DG Contemporary
• 35mm f/2 DG Contemporary
• 50mm f/2 DG Contemporary
• 65mm f/2 DG Contemporary
• 17mm f/4 DG Contemporary
• 24mm f/3.5 DG Contemporary
• 45mm f/2.8 DG Contemporary
• 90mm f/2.8 DG Contemporary

Even within the series you can see a small divide between the faster f/2 options and the much more compact slower lenses. This provides a great deal in freedom in building out the perfect kit for your preferences. The entire lineup provides full-frame coverage, making them ideal for cameras like the just-announced BF or even Sony’s compact a7C line.

This redesigned series brings all the lenses a unified look and experience, including adding magnetic lens cap support to the 45mm. Another aspect that is designed to match the BF is the addition of a Silver option for L-Mount versions of the lenses. The Black models also received a matching facelift, even the Sony E-mount variants.

The series retains the full-metal construction, tactile control rings, and sleek lens hoods. Of course, Sigma also commits to the promise that these lenses will also provide excellent optics for sharp, rich imagery. I series lenses are satisfying additions to nearly any kit and these refined models offer an even more elegant shooting experience.

Sigma has loaded us up with announcements. What do you think about the striking new design of the BF and I series lenses? Are the new zoom lenses something you need to add to your bag? Let us know in the Comments, below!