Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM lens review

Just posted! Our new lens review of Sigmas latest baby, the 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM. This optic brings the classic 50mm focal length bang up to date, incorporating ultrasonic focusing for all camera mounts, and the use of an aspherical element for reduced aberrations. Serving dual purpose as a normal lens on 35mm full-frame and a short portrait telephoto on APS-C, the fast 50mm is a great complement to the ubiquitous slow kit zooms, but does the Sigma offer any compelling advantages over the camera manufacturers own versions, or is it a case of too little, too late?

NOTE: To accompany this review, weve also published comparative test data for the Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM and Nikon AF-Nikkor 50mm F1.4 D lenses, in all cases using the highest resolution bodies currently available in their respective formats (i.e. Canon EOS 450D, Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, Nikon D300 and Nikon D3). The test data is as usual available through our lens review widget, or by clicking on the yellow links in the review text.

Click here for our lens review of the Sigma 50mm 1:1.4 EX DG HSM

Sigma, Canon, Nikon, and Pentax 50mm F1.4 lenses compared Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSMCanon EF 50mm F1.4 USMNikon AF-Nikkor 50mm F1.4 DPentax smc P-FA 50mm F1.4Street price$500$325$290$200Maximum format size35mm full frame35mm full frame35mm full frame35mm full frameFocal length50mm50mm50mm50mm35mm equivalent focal length(APS-C)

• 75mm (1.5x)• 80mm (1.6x)• 85mm (1.7x)

80mm

75mm

75mm

Diagonal Angle of view (FF)

47º47º47º47ºDiagonal Angle of view (APS-C)31º31º31º31ºMaximum apertureF1.4F1.4F1.4F1.4Minimum apertureF16F22F16F22Lens Construction• 8 elements/6 groups• 1 aspherical element

• 7 elements/6 groups

• 7 elements/6 groups

• 7 elements/6 groups

Number of diaphragm blades

9, rounded

878Minimum focus0.45m0.45m0.45m0.45mMaximum magnification

0.14x

0.15x0.15x0.15xAF motor type• Ring-type ultrasonic• Full-time manual focus• Micro-type ultrasonic• Full-time manual focus• Screw drive from camera body• Screw drive from camera bodyFocus methodUnit, internal to barrelUnitUnitUnitImage stabilization

• None

• None

• None• NoneFilter thread• 77mm• Does not rotate on focus• 58mm• Does not rotate on focus• 52mm• Does not rotate on focus• 49mm• Does not rotate on focusSupplied accessories

• Front and rear caps•Hood• Soft Case

• Front and rear caps• Front and rear caps• Front and rear capsWeight505 g (17.8 oz)290g (10.2 oz)230g (8.1 oz)220g (7.8 oz)Dimensions84.5mm diameter x 68.2mm length(3.3 x 2.7 in)73.8mm diameter x 50.5mm length(2.9 x 2.0 in)64.5mm diameter x 42.5mm length(2.5 x 1.7 in)

63.5mm diameter x 38mm length(2.5 x 1.5 in)

Lens MountCanon, Nikon, Pentax,Sigma, SonyCanon EF onlyNikon F onlyPentax K only

Click here for our lens review of the Sigma 50mm 1:1.4 EX DG HSM

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