History

Proudly building our own brand since our foundation, we have gained recognition for our unique products.

1961 September
SIGMA Research Institute Co., Ltd. established
The early days, circa 1961, in front of SIGMA Research Institute Co., Ltd. in Setagaya Ward. The supporting members gather for a group photo. (Michihiro Yamaki on the right).
1961 September
TELEXTENDER

Industry’s first teleconverter. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

1961 September
miniTEL 200mm F4

First lens to feature our original YS interchangeable lens mount. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

1965 November
Moved the office building to Komae, Tokyo

While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

1968 march
Corporate organization changed to joint-stock company

While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

1968 may
MIRROR-ULTRATELEPHOTO 500mm F8

Reflective compact super telephoto mirror lens. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

1970 November
MIRROR-ULTRATELEPHOTO 500mm F8

Reflective compact super telephoto mirror lens. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

1970 November
Company name changed to SIGMA Corporation

First lens to feature our original YS interchangeable lens mount. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

1973 november
Aizu factory first phase construction completed

Constructed Aizu General Factory in Bandai Town, Fukushima Prefecture. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

1976
Mark-I released

SIGMA’s first 35mm single-lens reflex camera (SLR). While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

1979
ZOOM y21-35mm F3.5-4 released

World’s first wide-angle zoom starting at 21mm. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

1979 November
SIGMA Germany established

First lens to feature our original YS interchangeable lens mount. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

1983 february
Aizu factory second phase construction completed

First lens to feature our original YS interchangeable lens mount. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

1983 March
New head office building completed in Komae, Tokyo

While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

1983 april
SIGMA Hong Kong established

While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

1984 january
50-200mm F3.5-4.5 APO

Launched the first zoom lens in the “APO series”, a high-performance lens series that uses two or more special low-dispersion glasses.

1984 March
SIGMA America established

While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

1984 june
SIGMA Sa-1 released

While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

1986 june
ZOOM-βii 60-200mm F4-5.6

SIGMA’s first autofocus compatible lens released. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

1990 january
SIGMA Benelux established

While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

1993 february
New factory completed

Launched the first zoom lens in the “APO series”, a high-performance lens series that uses two or more special low-dispersion glasses. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

1993 june
vSIGMA France established​

Launched the first zoom lens in the “APO series”, a high-performance lens series that uses two or more special low-dispersion glasses. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

1993 august​
SA-300 released​

SIGMA’s first autofocus SLR. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

1998​
28-70mm F2.8 EX ASPHERICAL​

Introducing the “EX series” lens group developed with a completely new design. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

2000 march​
APO 50-500mm F4-6.3 EX RF HSM​

The first 10x high-magnification super-telephoto zoom from the EX series that covers standard to super-telephoto range. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

2000 november​
SIGMA UK established

While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

2000 december​
20mm F1.8 EX DG ASPHERICAL RF

Released a DG lens compatible with interchangeable lens digital SLR cameras. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

2002
vAPO 120-300mm F2.8 EX IF HSM

The 300mm F2.8, which is popular for its single focus, has been converted into a zoom lens. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

2002​
SIGMA SD9 released

World’s first digital SLR (DSLR) to feature the full-color Foveon X3 direct image sensor. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

2003 december
APO 80-400mm F4.5-5.6 EX OS

SIGMA’s first telephoto zoom lens equipped with an OS (OPTICAL STABILIZER) mechanism. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

2005 september
Company moved to new head office building in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture

While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

2008
SIGMA DP1 released

World’s first compact digital camera to feature a large, DSLR-size image sensor. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

2008
APO 200-500mm F2.8/ 400-1000mm F5.6 EX DG

The world’s first super-telephoto zoom lens that achieves F2.8 at 500mm.
With the supplied attachment, autofocus shooting up to 1000mm was possible. 

2011
SIGMA SD1 released

DSLR featuring a 46-megapixel full-color Foveon X3 direct image sensor. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

2012
SIGMA GLOBAL VISION announced

Full renewal of interchangeable lens lineup featuring 3 lines: Art, Contemporary, Sports. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

2013 february
SIGMA China established

While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

2013 september
Started mount conversion service

Launched an original paid service that allows customers to convert the lens mount of the Art, Contemporary, and Sports lines. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

2014
SIGMA dp Quattro introduced

Digital camera series of 4 models featuring the next-generation Foveon direct image sensor. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

2016
SIGMA sd Quattro / SIGMA sd Quattro H announced

System camera sd Quattro featuring the Foveon direct image sensor and sd Quattro H featuring a 51-megapixel Foveon direct image sensor for best-in-class image quality. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

2016
SIGMA CINE LENS announced

Cinema lens system offering top-level performance for a true motion picture solution. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

2018 september
L-Mount alliance announced

Participated in the “L-Mount Alliance*”, a strategic collaboration between Leica, 
Panasonic, and SIGMA. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

2019
SIGMA fp released

The world’s smallest and lightest full-frame Bayer sensor equipped L-Mount mirrorless camera. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

 

2019 

Won GOOD DESIGN award

 

2020 

Won reddot award

2020 december
i series announced

Added the new concept “Premium Compact Prime” series under the Contemporary line. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

2021 january
SIGMA Nordic established

While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

2021 september 9
SIGMA 60th Anniversary

While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

2022 may
Company moved to new head office building in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture

While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.

2023 november 2
SIGMA Aizu factory 50th Anniversary

While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design. While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design.