Sigma's answer to Sony's 16-35mm F2.8 GM trims the range slightly — 16-28mm instead of 16-35mm — in exchange for a lens that costs less than half as much, at 450 grams versus the Sony's 547 grams. Released in June 2022, it uses an inner-zoom design that keeps its physical length constant no matter the focal length, and Sigma's Contemporary-line optics to hit constant f/2.8 across the range.
Reviewers running it against Sony's flagship found real tradeoffs — the Sony controls barrel distortion slightly better and adds full weather sealing along the barrel rather than just at the mount — but the gap wasn't large enough to justify the price difference for most shooters. For anyone who doesn't need the extra 7mm on the long end, it's become one of the default recommendations for affordable wide-angle work on Sony E-mount.
