HISTORY
Since our beginnings, we have proudly built our brand, earning global recognition for our flagship products - all made in Aizu, Japan.
1960
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).
TELEXTENDER
Industry's first teleconverter.
miniTEL 200mm F4
First lens to feature our original YS interchangeable lens mount.
Moved the office building to Komae, Tokyo
Corporate organization changed to joint-stock company
MIRROR-ULTRATELEPHOTO 500mm F8
Reflective compact super telephoto mirror lens.
1970
Company name changed to Sigma Corporation
Aizu factory first phase construction completed
Constructed Aizu General Factory in Bandai Town, Fukushima Prefecture.
Mark-I released
Sigma's first 35mm single-lens reflex camera (SLR).
ZOOM y21-35mm F3.5-4 released
World's first wide-angle zoom starting at 21mm.
Sigma Germany established
1980
Aizu factory second phase construction completed
New head office building completed in Komae, Tokyo
Sigma Hong Kong established
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.
Sigma America established
Sigma Sa-1 released
ZOOM-βii 60-200mm F4-5.6
Sigma's first autofocus compatible lens released.
1990
Sigma Benelux established
New factory completed
Sigma France established
SA-300 released
Sigma's first autofocus SLR.
28-70mm F2.8 EX ASPHERICAL
Introducing the "EX series" lens group developed with a completely new design.
2000
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.
Sigma UK established
20mm F1.8 EX DG ASPHERICAL RF
Released a DG lens compatible with interchangeable lens digital SLR cameras.
APO 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.
Sigma SD9 released
World's first digital SLR (DSLR) to feature the full-color Foveon X3 direct image sensor.
APO 80-400mm F4.5-5.6 EX OS
Sigma's first telephoto zoom lens equipped with an OS (OPTICAL STABILIZER) mechanism.
Company moved to new head office building in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture
Aizu Factory obtained ISO9001 (quality management system) certification.
Sigma DP1 released
World's first compact digital camera to feature a large, DSLR-size image sensor.
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.
Head office obtains ISO14001 (environmental management system) certification.
2010
Sigma SD1 released
DSLR featuring a 46-megapixel full-color Foveon X3 direct image sensor.
Sigma GLOBAL VISION announced
Full renewal of interchangeable lens lineup featuring 3 lines: Art, Contemporary, Sports.
Sigma China established
Started mount conversion service
Launched an original paid service that allows customers to convert the lens mount of the Art, Contemporary, and Sports lines.
Sigma dp Quattro introduced
Digital camera series of 4 models featuring the next-generation Foveon direct image sensor.
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.
Sigma CINE LENS announced
Cinema lens system offering top-level performance for a true motion picture solution.
L-Mount alliance announced
Participated in the "L-Mount Alliance*", a strategic collaboration between Leica, Panasonic, and Sigma.
* L-Mount is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG.
SIGMA fp released
The world's smallest and lightest full-frame Bayer sensor equipped L-Mount mirrorless camera.
2019
Won GOOD DESIGN award
2020
Won reddot award
2020
I Series announced
Added the new concept "Premium Compact Prime" I series under the Contemporary line.
Sigma Nordic established
Sigma 60th Anniversary
Company moved to new head office building in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture
Sigma Aizu factory 50th Anniversary
Sigma BF
The 35mm full-frame sensor equipped L-Mount mirrorless camera, featuring a true unibody, intuitive user interface, and streamlined menu system.
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