Sigma 50mm F2 DG | Contemporary
Launch MSRP
$639- Weight
- 345g
- Filter
- ⌀58mm
- Min focus
- 0.45m
- Max mag.
- 0.14×
- Formula
- 11E / 9G
- Released
- 2023
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 1x SLD
- 3x Aspherical
- Aperture range
- f/2 — f/22
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 345g
- ⌀ × length
- 70.0 × 70.0mm
- Filter
- ⌀58mm
- Weather sealed
- No
- Aperture ring
- Yes
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 8.0 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.45m
- Max magnification
- 0.14× (1:6.9)
Optical character
This is Sigma's I series take on the standard prime: a 345g metal-bodied 50mm that puts build quality and rendering ahead of maximum aperture. One SLD and three aspherical elements give crisp results from f/2, and the optics were tuned for smooth transitions from focus into blur.
It has the I series hallmarks: a clicked aperture ring, a machined metal hood, a magnetic metal front cap and a hairline grip ring. The stepping motor is quiet enough for video, and the lens balances well on small full-frame bodies.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers find it sharp from f/2 in the centre and good into the corners, with low colour fringing and pleasant, smooth bokeh for the aperture. Flare resistance is solid and distortion is low after profile correction.
The main reservation is value: it costs more than many f/1.8 fifties, including Sony's own, while giving up a third of a stop. AF is fine for everyday and video work but not the fastest, and close focus is only 0.45m.
Owner sentiment
Owners buy it for the feel as much as the pictures, and say the metal build and aperture ring make it pleasant to use every day. Its small size makes it a common travel and street lens on A7C-class bodies.
Criticisms are the price for an f/2 lens, a magnetic cap that some find easy to knock off, and AF that can hunt slightly in very low light. Several owners mention wanting a little more subject separation for portraits.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +Compact metal build, 345g
- +Sharp from f/2 with low fringing
- +Smooth bokeh for the aperture
- +Aperture ring and metal hood
- +58mm filters
Weaknesses
- −f/2 costs more than many f/1.8 fifties
- −Only 0.45m close focus
- −No weather sealing beyond the mount gasket
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 8.7
- Bokeh Rendering
- 8.1
- Autofocus Speed
- 8.0
- Flare Resistance
- 8.0
- Build / Sealing
- 8.9
- Value / Size
- 7.9
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Sony E (FE) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 50mm |
| Category | Standard |
| Maximum aperture | f/2 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Construction | 11 elements in 9 groups |
| Special elements | 1x SLD · 3x Aspherical |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | Stepping Motor |
| Minimum focus | 0.45m |
| Max magnification | 0.14× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 345g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 70.0 × 70.0mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀58mm |
| Weather sealing | No |
| Aperture ring | Yes |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2023 |
| Launch MSRP | $639 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- sigma-global.com/en/lenses/c023_50_2_re/
Similar focal length alternatives
- VS50mm F2 DG | Contemporary vs 50mm F1.05
- VS50mm F2 DG | Contemporary vs AF 50mm F1.8
- VS50mm F2 DG | Contemporary 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
