Sigma Af 50mm F14 Dg Hsm Art Lens Canon
Sigma 50mm f1.four Art review -
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Verdict
The Sigma 50mm f1.iv Art is a plumbing fixtures member of Sigma's renown Fine art series offering very high optical performance at prices that are comfortably lower than the professional lenses from either Catechism, Nikon, Sony or Panasonic. It delivers very good image quality in the center even broad open at f1.four when mounted on a 46MP full-frame body hands surpassing the performance of Canon's or Nikon's standard 50mm f1.four lenses. And it shows a gradual softening toward the corners and a cute Bokeh which makes information technology a prime choice for portraiture.
Only there are other 50/1.four lenses to be had. So does the performance of the Sigma 50mm f1.4 Art friction match the corresponding mark-up in price, and what if yous're considering the Zeiss Otus, the most expensive 'standard' lens on the market? Let me go through all alternatives step-by-footstep.
Above from left to right: Nikon Z 50mm f1.8 S, Sigma 50mm f1.4 Art, Zeiss Otus 55mm f1.4 (Sigma and Zeiss in Nikon F-mount version)
Compared to Nikon AF-Southward 50mm f1.4G
The Nikkor 50mm f1.4G was for a while Nikon's 'meridian-of-the-range' standard lens, although the introduction of the 58mm f1.4G means the lineup now shares a similar strategy to Canon. As such the 50mm f1.4G is positioned in a higher place the f1.8G version, providing a relatively affordable step-up from the 'upkeep' model, just comes in considerably cheaper than the flagship 58mm. This means the Sigma 50mm Fine art is positioned, toll-wise at least, roughly between the Nikkor 50mm f1.4G and 58mm f1.4G.
Optically speaking the Sigma 50mm Art is superior to the Nikkor 50mm f1.4G in our tests. Information technology's sharper beyond the frame and suffers from fewer undesirable artefacts similar bokeh outlining, vignetting or coma. But the Nikkor 50mm f1.4G is smaller and lighter, and then it'southward much easier to conduct and looks inconspicuous mounted on whatever camera torso.
Crucially the Nikkor 50mm f1.4G is cheaper than the Sigma 50mm Art, so like Canon'southward EF 50mm f1.four beneath, it's a case of weighing-up whether you can afford to pay the extra for the Art also as being happy to carry information technology around. If you can afford the extra price and don't heed the size, the the Sigma Art is the way forrad. But if your budget – or size desires – bulldoze you towards the Nikkor 50mm f1.4G, it'due south still a fine lens for the money.
For more than details come across my Nikon 50mm f1.4G review.
Compared to Nikon AF-S 58mm f1.4G
The Nikkor 58mm f1.4G is Nikon's flagship standard lens for its DSLRs, still information technology missed out on our meridian laurels in my review considering its performance in the APS-C/DX and the total-frame/FX corner was a flake of a let-downwards for this price. As yous can see in my review comparing the Sigma to this lens, the APS-C/DX corner of the Sigma is also a chip weaker than one could have hoped for simply in the FX-corner the Sigma conspicuously prevails. The Nikon 58/one.4G by and large has less loCA but compared to the Sigma suffers a bit from focus-shift and the resulting coloration plus astigmatism. Regarding coma both lenses are on the aforementioned pretty skillful level. The Sigma has the reward in focus speed: 0.6 vs. 0.eight seconds.
Regarding build yous take to weigh up (pun intended) the larger seize and heavier weight of the Sigma against its utilize of metallic in the lens'south outer construction which gives it a feeling of very solid construction. Only make no mistake: looks can be deceiving: the outer structure does not tell y'all annihilation about the quality and durability of the inner workings including the focus-drive. And so the Sigma might or might non concluding longer than the Nikon. After all is said and compared I personally would prefer the new Sigma Art over the Nikon 58/1.4G fifty-fifty if the price was the same – then considering the Sigma Fine art is cheaper this is a strong recommendation.
For more than details see my Nikon 58mm 1.4G review.
Compared to Nikon Z 50mm f1.8 Due south
The Nikon Z 50mm f1.8S is a very adept standard prime lens for owners of Z-series mirrorless bodies: its optical performance is correct upward there with the much heavier and more expensive Zeiss 55mm f1.iv Otus including longitudinal color aberrations – which is no pocket-size feat. The size and weight of the Z Nikkor makes it a much better friction match for the compact Z-series bodies it's designed for than the Sigma Art (plus FTZ adapter) although it is not the smallest lens itself. The Z-Nikkor also focuses fast and reliably and is sealed thoroughly – an important feature that is missing on the Sigma Art. And finally the lens produces quite pleasing Bokeh that's not far behind the rendering of the Sigma Fine art lenses and to me, actually surpasses Nikon's own 50mm f1.4G. This overall performance deserves a Highly Recommended!
For more details run into my Nikon Z 50mm f1.8 S review.
Compared to Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM
The EF 50mm f1.4 USM is Canon'south mid-range selection out of a trio of 50mm lenses. Many Canon owners cull it as a pace-up over the budget EF 50mm f1.8 Ii without investing the considerable cost in the flagship EF 50mm, but now the Sigma 50mm Art offers something in-between the mid-range and peak-end Catechism options in terms of price.
First things kickoff, the Sigma 50mm Art is considerably heftier than any of the Canon EF 50mm lenses. Information technology's 85mm wide by 100mm long and weighs 815g in its EF-mount version. Compare that to the Canon EF 50mm f1.iv USM which measures 74x51mm and weighs 290g – this makes the Sigma wider, twice every bit long, and virtually three times the weight. If y'all take a higher-end Canon torso, the Sigma will feel well-counterbalanced, but on smaller and lighter bodies the Canon lens will feel more in proportion.
In terms of optical quality, the Sigma 50mm Art exhibits college contrast and sharpness across the frame. The Canon 50mm f1.four roughly matches information technology in the middle of the frame at around f2.8, but in the corners of a full-frame image y'all'd need to close the Canon to f5.6 to come up shut. The Sigma also suffers from much less vignetting. In terms of Bokeh the Sigma also renders larger and more circular-looking blobs at the same discontinuity.
And so optically the Sigma is definitely superior, but patently it'due south also larger, heavier and roughly double the price. I'd say it'due south worth information technology if y'all can beget it and don't mind accommodating the heft – and if it helps you justify the toll, remember some other advantage of the Sigma is being able to pay to switch mounts should you swap camera systems in the time to come, thereby protecting your investment. Oh and it comes with a lens hood too.
Compared to Canon EF 50mm f1.2L USM
Catechism's EF 50mm f1.ii L USM has always been a benchmark for Canon owners, a lens which most photographers, specially portrait ones, aspire to having in their drove. It has the joint brightest discontinuity of any lens in the current Canon EF catalogue, and is the only 50mm in the EF range to carry the 'Fifty' status. And then what if information technology also carries a price tag to match? Information technology'due south the lens to go for if you're a Catechism owner who wants the best 50mm around, correct?
Well, I'd say at that place'south a new Rex in boondocks: Sigma'south 50mm f1.4 Art enjoys ameliorate sharpness and dissimilarity in the middle of the frame, and delivers noticeably superior performance in the full-frame corners. The Canon suffers from far greater vignetting at apertures greater than f2.8, and doesn't even come close to the corner sharpness until it's closed to f5.6 or fifty-fifty f8.
Ah, but the 50mm f1.ii isn't about sharpness I hear yous cry – it's all most the beautiful Bokeh. But while the Bokeh balls are indeed bigger on the Catechism at f1.two, I wouldn't say they await whatever better. There's much more than squashing into cats optics at the largest apertures, and the shape of the viii-blade iris becomes more obvious as you stop-downward. I also noticed slices cutting from the Bokeh balls at f1.2 and f1.4 from the Catechism due to the photographic camera'south mirror box, which just wasn't a problem for the Sigma.
Admittedly the Sigma is a bigger lens: information technology shares the same maximum diameter as the Catechism 50mm f1.ii, but is roughly 50% longer and heavier, and so you actually know you lot're conveying it effectually. Merely considering the Sigma delivers superior results across the lath and comes in at two thirds to half the price depending on region, information technology becomes a no-brainer to me, and that's before y'all fifty-fifty gene in the power to switch its mount (at a cost) to a different system should you movement from Canon in the future.
I'll admit at that place is still a thrill to having a lens which tin open up to f1.2, merely in my tests the Sigma just out-performed the Canon across the board and at a lower cost. If you desire the best 50mm with autofocus for your Canon DSLR or mirrorless via an adapter, the Sigma 50mm f1.4 Art is it. Canon has since released a newer, college quality 50mm f1.2L lens, but simply in the RF lens mount for its full-frame EOS R mirrorless cameras. This is an outstanding lens, merely one that's considerably pricier than the Sigma. Run into Gordon's Canon RF 50mm f1.2L USM review for more than details.
Compared to Sony Fe 50mm f1.iv ZA
The Sony Fe 50mm f1.4 ZA is a very respectable big aperture standard prime lens for Sony's mirrorless bodies. It'south very sharp in the center and produces one of the all-time full-frame corners I've seen. Plus its resistance against flare and glare in adverse contra-light situations is commendable. Its Bokeh is good albeit not best in class and it tin can exist a petty slow to focus. Only information technology is sealed thoroughly and offers a de-clickable discontinuity ring, a feature that is pretty useful for filming. But the Sigma Art has one of the best Bokehs of a 50mm lens and information technology produces a very sharp eye with a gradual softening towards the corners – a characteristic that many prefer for portraiture. Simply that also means that it is softer at the APS-C-corner and the FF-corner than the Sony Iron 50mm f1.iv ZA. Regarding longitudinal color aberrations and focus-speed the Sigma Art is comparable or even better than the Sony. And it might be a bit bigger and heavier than the Sony but not exceedingly so. With a cost that is merely half of the Sony Iron 50mm f1.iv ZA and the overall operation the Sigma 50mm f1.4 Art is a very attractive culling.
For more details see my Sony FE 50mm f1.iv ZA review.
Compared to Zeiss Otus 55mm f1.4
This is the optical reference regarding sharpness and dissimilarity at every distance and information technology also sports very depression longitudinal CA. But it is even larger and heavier and iv times as expensive equally the Sigma Art. Plus information technology has one big arrears: no automobile-focus! Looking closer into the resolution results the new Sigma Art even manages to trounce the mighty Otus by a small amount in center performance and it shows less light fall-off in the corners. That is an outstanding feat. Regarding Bokeh the Sigma Art and Zeiss Otus are pretty close with the Zeiss producing the bigger Bokeh balls in the eye but having a stronger cat's-eye effect towards the corners.
Unfortunately the Sigma'southward wide-open functioning in the center drops towards the corners fifty-fifty of an APS-C sensor. Only make no mistake: information technology's performance is even so good to very expert there. In improver to corner resolution the Sigma Art falls behind the Zeiss Otus in 3 other aspects: field-curvature, loCA, flare/glare-resistance. So the onetime adage nevertheless holds truthful: you become what you pay for.
For more than details come across my Zeiss Otus 55mm f1.four review.
Sigma 50mm f1.iv Fine art concluding verdict
The Sigma 50mm f1.4 Art is without a incertitude a very good standard lens with autofocus for Catechism, Nikon, Panasonic Lumix South or Sony full-frame cameras. You'd await it to out-perform the cheaper Canon EF 50mm f1.four USM and Nikkor 50mm f1.4G lenses because it's roughly twice the toll, but the large surprise is how it also delivers ameliorate performance in near aspects than the Catechism EF 50mm f1.2L USM and the Nikkor 58mm f1.iv and is neck-and-neck with Sony's Atomic number 26 50mm f1.4 ZA despite both these lenses coming-in at almost twice the price.
When you as well consider Sigma offers a service (paid) to switch mounts should you swap camera systems in the future, there really isn't whatever reason not to get the 50mm Art if you can afford it. Once again it offers a footstep-upwards from the cheaper models and was also preferable to Canon and Nikon's premium standard lenses in our tests. The only downsides are greater longitudinal chromatic aberrations than the more expensive rivals and the fact the body isn't atmospheric condition-sealed.
So information technology'southward the best standard lens with AF under 2000 USD, merely what if you tin can stretch fifty-fifty college and you're also willing to manually focus? Can the Sigma 50mm f1.4 Art compete against the mighty Zeiss Otus costing four times the price? The brusk reply is information technology actually comes very close, merely the Otus remains the optical champion any else you've read. Merely look at our results pages: the Otus is sharper in the far corners, is meliorate at avoiding lateral chromatic aberrations, and suffers from less coma and almost no field curvature. The Otus is optically superior. Simply whether this performance is worth four times the price is a decision only you lot can make – and remember it'll also involve manual focusing which rules it out for many photographers.
So the Sigma 50mm f1.iv Art is a very proficient lens out-performing lenses even costing twice the price. It sets a very high bar for cost/performance ratio of 50mm f1.four lenses and easily earns our Highly Recommended honour. Below I have listed the good and bad points of the lens for y'all.
Good points:
- Very good to splendid performance across a loftier-resolution full-frame sensor even wide open up.
- Fast and reliable auto-focus.
- Minimal light fall-off for an f1.iv lens.
- Solid build quality.
- Lower price than professional f1.iv lenses.
- Chance to fine-tune using optional USB dock.
- Merely standard lens that tin can bandy mounts (at a cost) between Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony Due east, and Leica L-mount.
Bad points:
- Higher price than basic 50mm f1.4 lenses.
- Large and heavy.
- Not conditions-sealed.
- Some field-curvature makes stopping downward mandatory for high-quality shots of flat (or distant) subjects.
- Outlining sometimes makes the groundwork Bokeh a fleck nervous.
- Greater Longitudinal Chromatic Aberrations than top models
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Source: https://www.cameralabs.com/sigma_50mm_f1-4_dg_hsm_art/4/
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