Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM vs Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art: Which to Buy?

The Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM and the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art are two standard prime lenses for Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras with full-frame coverage. In this comparison, we will look at the main features, and pros and cons of Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM vs Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art, based on various sources¹²³⁴.

These two lenses offer a bright maximum aperture of f/1.4 that provides excellent low-light performance and bokeh quality. They also have a fast and quiet autofocus system that works well with Sony's eye AF and tracking modes.

However, they have different optical designs, features and prices that may affect their performance and suitability for different needs and preferences.

Introduction

Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM

The Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM was announced in January 2023 as a standard prime lens for Sony E-mount cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensors.

This lens is part of Sony's G Master series of lenses, which are designed to deliver high image quality and performance. It has a mixture of sharpness, contrast, color and minimal aberrations across the frame.

It also has a smooth and circular bokeh that enhances the subject isolation and background blur. It is a replacement for the older Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA lens, which was made in collaboration with Zeiss.

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art was announced in April 2020 as a standard prime lens for Sony E-mount and Leica L-mount cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensors.

It is part of Sigma's Art series of lenses, which are designed to deliver high artistic expression and performance. It has a similar image quality and bokeh to the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM, but it is cheaper and lighter.

It is a successor to the older Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens, which was made for DSLR cameras.

Features

The Pros and Cons of Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM vs Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

Conclusion

The Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM and the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art are both superb standard prime lenses for Sony E-mount photographers who need a high-quality and versatile lens for various situations and subjects.

They both offer excellent image quality and performance, with high sharpness, contrast, color and minimal aberrations across the frame. They also have a smooth and circular bokeh that enhances the subject isolation and background blur.

These two lenses have a bright maximum aperture of f/1.4 that provides excellent low-light performance and bokeh quality. They also have a fast and quiet autofocus system that works well with Sony's eye AF and tracking modes.

However, they also have some differences that may make one more suitable than the other for different needs and preferences.

The Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM is more expensive, but it has a slightly better image quality and performance than the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art. It also has robust on-barrel controls, including an aperture ring, an AF/MF switch, an AF hold button and a focus mode switch. It also supports 30fps drive with select cameras, such as the Sony Alpha 1.

The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art is cheaper, but it has a similar image quality and performance to the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM. It also has a weather-sealed construction, but it lacks some of the on-barrel controls of the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM. It also has a larger filter size of 77mm, which may require some extra filters or adapters. It is also lighter than the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM, which may be an advantage for some photographers.

If you are looking for a standard prime lens that offers excellent image quality and performance, a bright maximum aperture, a fast and quiet autofocus system, and robust on-barrel controls, then the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM may be the better choice for you.

On the other hand, the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art may be the better choice for you if you are looking for a standard prime lens that offers excellent image quality and performance, a bright maximum aperture, a fast and quiet autofocus system, and an affordable price.

However, neither of these lenses can match the image quality or performance of wider aperture lenses such as the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM or the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art, so you may want to consider other options if you are looking for the best possible results in terms of sharpness, contrast, distortion, aberration or bokeh.

Further Reading

(1) Sony Versus Sigma: Which 50mm f/1.4 Reigns Supreme?

(2) How Does the New Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art Compare to the Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM?

(3) DPRTV: Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM vs Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art

(4) Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM Review | PCMag