Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
Launch MSRP
$949- Weight
- 880g
- Filter
- ⌀77mm
- Min focus
- 0.40m
- Max mag.
- 0.18×
- Formula
- 13E / 8G
- Released
- 2018
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 3x SLD
- 1x Aspherical
- Super Multi-Layer Coating
- Aperture range
- f/1.4 — f/16
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 880g
- ⌀ × length
- 85.4 × 125.9mm
- Filter
- ⌀77mm
- Weather sealed
- No
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 7.5 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.40m
- Max magnification
- 0.18× (1:5.6)
Optical character
The 50/1.4 Art from 2014 was the lens that set the template for Sigma's Art line: an oversized 13-element design that is sharp at f/1.4 where traditional double-Gauss fifties are soft and hazy. The 2018 native E-mount version keeps that optic and adds Sony AF-C and Eye AF support.
It is large for a fifty at 880g and 126mm, and there is no weather sealing. In return you get crisp, high-contrast rendering wide open, smooth background blur for the class, and a close focus of 0.40m.
Reviewer consensus
Reviews put it well ahead of older f/1.4 fifties for wide-open sharpness and contrast, with good corners by f/2 to f/2.8 and well-controlled flare. Longitudinal colour fringing is present at f/1.4 but lower than most competitors of its era, and distortion is negligible.
Criticisms focus on size and weight, a lack of sealing, and the fact that Sony's FE 50mm F1.2 GM and Sigma's own later 50mm F1.4 DG DN are sharper and focus faster. On the E-mount version, AF is reliable but audibly a screw-in-era HSM design.
Owner sentiment
Owners praise the value and the clean, contrasty look it gives portraits and street work, and many held on to it after moving from DSLRs. The focus ring is smooth and the build feels solid.
Common gripes are the weight on smaller bodies, the large 77mm front, and occasional AF hunting in low light compared with Sony's own lenses. Several owners have since replaced it with the lighter DG DN version.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +Sharp and contrasty from f/1.4
- +Smooth bokeh for an f/1.4 fifty
- +Native Sony AF-C and Eye AF support
- +Low distortion
- +Strong value on the used market
Weaknesses
- −Heavy for a 50mm: 880g
- −No weather sealing
- −No aperture ring
- −Slower AF than newer mirrorless designs
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 8.8
- Bokeh Rendering
- 8.5
- Autofocus Speed
- 7.5
- Flare Resistance
- 8.0
- Build / Sealing
- 8.2
- Value / Size
- 8.3
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Sony E (FE) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 50mm |
| Category | Standard |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 |
| Construction | 13 elements in 8 groups |
| Special elements | 3x SLD · 1x Aspherical · Super Multi-Layer Coating |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) |
| Minimum focus | 0.40m |
| Max magnification | 0.18× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 880g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 85.4 × 125.9mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀77mm |
| Weather sealing | No |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2018 |
| Launch MSRP | $949 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- sigma-global.com/en/lenses/a014_50_14/
- briansmith.com/sigma-fe-fullframe-e-mount-lenses/
- photographyblog.com/news/sigma_announces_pricing_for_seven_new_sony_e_mount_art
Similar focal length alternatives
- VS50mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art vs 50mm F1.05
- VS50mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art vs AF 50mm F1.8
- VS50mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art vs 50mm F1.4 AS UMC
- 7Artisans
50mm F1.05
50mmF1.05- WT
- 606g
- FLT
- ⌀58mm
- MFD
- 0.57m
- MSRP
- $399
MFRING·DC - 7Artisans
AF 50mm F1.8
50mmF1.8- WT
- 421g
- FLT
- ⌀62mm
- MFD
- 0.50m
- MSRP
- $228
AFRING·DC - Samyang/Rokinon
50mm F1.4 AS UMC
50mmF1.4- WT
- 565g
- FLT
- ⌀77mm
- MFD
- 0.45m
- MSRP
- $499
MFRING
