In an extraordinary display of innovation and strategic product development, Sigma achieved unparalleled success in 2025, distinguishing itself as the premier photography company of the year. This remarkable period saw the introduction of a uniquely designed camera, the Sigma BF, alongside an extensive and impressive collection of lenses that redefined expectations across various segments of the market. The company's commitment to pushing creative boundaries and delivering exceptional optical performance garnered widespread acclaim, firmly establishing its leadership in the competitive photographic landscape. This comprehensive overview explores the pivotal product releases and strategic initiatives that underscored Sigma's outstanding achievements throughout the year, culminating in its well-deserved recognition as PetaPixel's Photo Company of the Year for the second consecutive time.
Sigma’s philosophy of challenging conventional camera design was vividly exemplified by the launch of the Sigma BF in 2025. Unlike the more traditional offerings from competitors, the BF presented a distinctive aesthetic and user experience, emphasizing simplicity and a focused approach to image capture. While some critics, like PetaPixel’s Chris Niccolls, argued that its minimalist design might compromise advanced functionality, the BF nonetheless resonated with many who appreciated Sigma’s courage to diverge from the norm. This 24-megapixel full-frame camera, though not featuring the eagerly anticipated Foveon sensor, offered robust features and fostered a pure photographic experience, demonstrating Sigma’s dedication to thoughtful, if unconventional, engineering.
Beyond its innovative camera, Sigma’s lens division truly shone in 2025, showcasing an astonishing array of optics. The year began with the introduction of two significant zoom lenses in February. The 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 lens, designed for APS-C cameras, provided an incredibly versatile focal range, proving to be an excellent choice for photographers prioritizing convenience and broad utility. While perhaps less flashy than other releases, its strong performance for a travel zoom lens made it a notable contender in its category. Meanwhile, the groundbreaking 300-600mm f/4 DG OS Sports lens emerged as a revolutionary option for sports and wildlife photographers. Despite its premium price, its unique combination of focal length and aperture made it a relative bargain compared to prime alternatives, earning it PetaPixel’s Zoom Lens of the Year award for its exceptional sharpness and versatility.
Sigma’s momentum continued with additional lens releases throughout the year, each catering to specific photographic needs. The 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Art lens for APS-C cameras reimagined a classic Sigma design, offering a wider focal range and a fast aperture, making it ideal for both photographers and videographers seeking high-quality, versatile performance. In August, the company unveiled the compact yet optically superb 12mm f/1.4 DC Contemporary lens for APS-C systems, praised as an “absolute gem” for its impressive performance in a small form factor. Concurrently, the full-frame 200mm f/2 DG OS Sports lens broke new ground as the first of its kind for mirrorless cameras, offering unmatched sharpness and beautiful bokeh for sports and portrait photography, an achievement that earned it an Official Selection in the PetaPixel Awards.
The latter half of 2025 further cemented Sigma’s dominance, with three more lenses announced in September. The 20-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DG Contemporary became the world’s first full-frame 20-200mm zoom, providing unparalleled versatility for general and travel photography. Alongside this, the 35mm f/1.2 DG II Art delivered an updated, sharper, and lighter version of its predecessor, praised for its incredible subject isolation. Arguably the pinnacle of Sigma’s optical achievements that year was the 135mm f/1.4 DG Art, hailed as PetaPixel’s Prime Lens of the Year. This “massive and magnificent” lens was described as optically flawless, capable of producing stunning aesthetics for portraiture and sports, despite its substantial size. Finally, Sigma also launched a comprehensive series of 12 Aizu cinema primes, all featuring class-leading T1.3 apertures and consistent designs, which were utilized in PetaPixel’s own documentary film, further highlighting their exceptional cinematic quality.
Looking back at 2025, it is clear that Sigma delivered an extraordinary performance, surpassing even its impressive achievements of the previous year. While not every product perfectly suited every user, the company’s consistent dedication to innovation, quality, and distinctive design principles remained unwavering. Sigma’s ability to introduce a wide array of new cameras and lenses without compromising its unique identity underscores its special place in the industry. This year was a testament to Sigma’s enduring vision and its capacity to continually surprise and impress the photographic community, setting a high bar for future advancements.