The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM and the Nikon 12-24mm f4G ED-IF for their suitability to various photography scenarios:
Size and Weight Comparison
Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM is the longer of the two lenses at 135mm. The Nikon 12-24mm f4G ED-IF with a length of 90mm is 45mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM also has a larger diameter of 96mm compared to Nikon 12-24mm f4G ED-IF's 83mm diameter.
Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Nikon 12-24mm f4G ED-IF weighs 485g, 57% (665g) lighter than the Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM's weight of 1150g.
Lens Mounts
Both Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM has the Nikon F (FX) lens mount whereas the Nikon 12-24mm f4G ED-IF has the Nikon F (DX) lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with these mounts are Nikon D6, Nikon D780 and Nikon D3500 for the Nikon F (FX) Mount and Nikon D3500, Nikon D7500 and Nikon D5600 for the Nikon F (DX) Mount.
Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM is also available in Canon EF and Sigma SA mounts.
Focal Range
Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM has a focal range of 14-24mm and 1.7X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 21 - 36mm.
Nikon 12-24mm f4G ED-IF has a focal range of 12-24mm and 2.0X zoom ratio which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 18-36mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.