Research conducted by British photography magazine Amateur Photographer has provided more evidence that the days of the DSLR are numbered.
What did they find?
Amateur Photographer magazine has been monitoring the availability of lenses from leading retailers in the UK. This research revealed that Sigma has discontinued 18 DSLR lenses in the past three years. Although this is related to the UK market, it seems that the lenses are also no longer available in the US.
Which lenses were discontinued?
The lenses which have gone from the market are:
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- Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX DG
- Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM
- Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM
- Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS
- Sigma 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Fisheye
- Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM
- Sigma 4.5mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM
- Sigma 10mm f/2.8 EX DC
- Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 II DG HSM
- Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM
- Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM
- Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM
- Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM
- Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro
- Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro
- Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro APO
- Sigma 180mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro APO
- Sigma 300mm f/2.8 APO EX DG HSM
Why has Sigma done this?
The rise in popularity of mirrorless cameras has meant a steady decline in demand for DSLRs over the past few years. As such, Sigma is simply following the lead of the camera manufacturers. In July 2022, rumors suggested that Nikon would cease DSLR production. Shortly afterward, Canon’s quarterly business report clearly stated that the company was prioritizing its mirrorless cameras over DSLRs.
What next?
The DSLR market isn’t dead yet. There are a lot of people still using DSLRs for photography and video work. Even so, as camera manufacturers move to mirrorless camera designs, it is only natural that lens manufacturers will follow suit. However, even if all DSLR lens production ceases tomorrow, a huge number of DSLR lenses are still available on the secondhand market. This is good news for videographers who shoot on DSLRs or cameras such the Blackmagic cinema cameras, which have EF lens mounts.