HISTORY

Since our beginnings, we have proudly built our brand, earning global recognition for our flagship products—all made in Aizu, Japan.

1960     1970     1980     1990     2000     2010     2020

1961.9

SIGMA RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO., LTD. IS ESTABLISHED

 

Supporting members gathered in front of SIGMA Research Institute Co., Ltd. for a group photo in Setagaya Ward. Our founder, Michihiro Yamaki, stands furthest to the right.

 

 

1961.9

TELEXTENDER

 

The industry's first teleconverter.

 

 

1961.9

MINITEL 200MM F4

 

The first lens with our original YS interchangeable lens mount.

 

 

1965.11

OFFICE BUILDING MOVES TO KOMAE, TOKYO

 

 

1968.3

CORPORATE ORGANIZATION BECOMES A JOINT-STOCK COMPANY

1968.5

MIRROR-ULTRA TELEPHOTO 500MM F8

 

Reflective compact super-telephoto mirror lens.

 

 

1970.11

COMPANY NAME CHANGES TO SIGMA CORPORATION

1973.11

AIZU FACTORY CONSTRUCTION COMPLETES ITS FIRST PHASE

 

The Aizu General Factory is constructed in Bandai Town, Fukushima Prefecture.

 

 

1976

MARK-I

 

SIGMA's first 35mm single-lens reflex camera (SLR) is launched.

 

 

1979

ZOOM Y21-35MM F3.5-4

 

The world's first wide-angle zoom starting at 21mm.

 

 

1979.11

SIGMA GERMANY IS ESTABLISHED

1983.2

AIZU FACTORY CONSTRUCTION COMPLETES ITS SECOND PHASE

1983.3

NEW HEAD OFFICE BUILDING COMPLETED IN KOMAE, TOKYO

1983.4

SIGMA HONG KONG IS ESTABLISHED

1984.1

50-200MM F3.5-4.5 APO

 

The first zoom lens in the "APO series" - a high-performance lens series using two or more special low-dispersion glasses.

1984.3

SIGMA AMERICA IS ESTABLISHED

1984.6

SIGMA SA-1

1986.6

ZOOM-βⅡ 60-200MM F4-5.6

 

Sigma’s first autofocus-compatible lens.

1990.1

SIGMA BENELUX IS ESTABLISHED

1993.2

NEW FACTORY IS COMPLETED

 

 

1993.6

SIGMA FRANCE IS ESTABLISHED

1993.8

SA-300

 

Sigma's first autofocus SLR.

 

 

1998

28-70MM F2.8 EX ASPHERICAL

 

The "EX series" lens group is introduced, developed with a completely new design.

2000.3

APO 50-500MM F4-6.3 EX RF HSM

 

The first 10x high-magnification super-telephoto zoom from the EX series, covering standard to super-telephoto range.

 

 

2000.11

SIGMA UK IS ESTABLISHED

2000.12

20MM F1.8 EX DG ASPHERICAL RF

 

A DG lens compatible with interchangeable lens digital SLR cameras.

 

 

2002

APO 120-300MM F2.8 EX IF HSM

 

The 300mm F2.8, popular for its single focus, is converted into a zoom lens.

2002

SIGMA SD9

 

The world's first digital SLR (DSLR) to feature the full-color Foveon X3 direct image sensor.

 

 

2003.12

APO 80-400MM F4.5-5.6 EX OS

 

Sigma’s first telephoto zoom lens equipped with an OS (OPTICAL STABILIZER) mechanism.

 

 

2005.9

COMPANY MOVES TO NEW HEAD OFFICE BUILDING IN KAWASAKI, KANAGAWA PREFECTURE

 

 

2006.10

AIZU FACTORY OBTAINS ISO9001 (QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM) CERTIFICATION

2008

SIGMA DP1

 

The world's first compact camera featuring an APS-C size sensor.

 

 

2008

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

 

The world's first super-telephoto zoom lens achieving F2.8 at 500mm. With the supplied attachment, autofocus shooting up to 1000mm is now possible.

2009

SIGMA HEAD OFFICE OBTAINS ISO14001 (ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM) CERTIFICATION

2011

SIGMA SD1

 

DSLR featuring a 46-megapixel full-color Foveon X3 direct image sensor.

 

 

2012

SIGMA GLOBAL VISION ANNOUNCED

 

The full renewal of the interchangeable lens lineup featuring three lines: Art, Contemporary, Sports.

 

 

2013.2

SIGMA CHINA IS ESTABLISHED

2013.9

MOUNT CONVERSION SERVICE

 

An original paid service allowing customers to convert the lens mount of the Art, Contemporary, and Sports lines.

2014

SIGMA DP QUATTRO

 

A digital camera series of four models featuring the next-generation Foveon direct image sensor.

 

 

2016

SIGMA SD QUATTRO/SIGMA SD QUATTRO H

 

System cameras featuring the Foveon direct image sensor, with the SD Quattro H offering a 51-megapixel sensor for best-in-class image quality.

 

 

2016

SIGMA CINE LENS

 

A cinema lens system offering top-level performance for motion picture solutions.

 

 

2012

L-MOUNT* ALLIANCE

 

Participation in the "L-Mount Alliance", a partnership between member companies including Leica, Panasonic, and Sigma.

 

*L-Mount is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG.

 

2019

SIGMA FP

 

The world's smallest and lightest full-frame Bayer sensor-equipped L-Mount mirrorless camera.

 

2019 Wins GOOD DESIGN award

2020 Wins Red Dot award

 

 

2020.12

I SERIES

 

The "Premium Compact Prime" I series is added to the Contemporary line.

 

 

2021.1

SIGMA NORDIC IS ESTABLISHED

2021.9.9

SIGMA CELEBRATES ITS 60TH ANNIVERSARY

2022.5

COMPANY MOVES TO NEW HEAD OFFICE BUILDING IN KAWASAKI, KANAGAWA PREFECTURE

 

 

2023.11

SIGMA AIZU FACTORY CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

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