The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Canon 60mm f2.8 Macro USM and the Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro for their suitability to various photography scenarios:
Size and Weight Comparison
The size of a lens is a crucial factor to consider when comparing two lenses. Canon 60mm f2.8 Macro USM is the longer of the two lenses at 70mm. The Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro with a length of 67mm, is 3mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Canon 60mm f2.8 Macro USM also has a larger diameter of 73mm compared to the Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro's 71mm diameter.
The weight of a lens is equally significant as its external dimensions, particularly if you intend to handhold your camera and lens combination for extended periods. Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro weighs 320g, 4% (15g) lighter than the Canon 60mm f2.8 Macro USM's weight of 335g.
Filter Threads
The Canon 60mm f2.8 Macro USM has a filter size of 52mm whereas the Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro has a 55mm diameter. Larger filters are generally more expensive than the smaller ones given all the other features are equal.
Below are links to the 52mm filters that we recommend you to consider for the Canon 60mm f2.8 Macro USM:
And these are the 55mm filters that we recommend for the Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro:
Lens Mounts
The Canon 60mm f2.8 Macro USM has the Canon EF-S lens mount whereas the Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro has the Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with these mounts are Canon T8i, Canon 90D and Canon SL3 for the Canon EF-S Mount and Canon 1D X III, Canon 6D MII and Canon 5D MIV for the Canon EF Mount.
Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro is also available in Pentax KAF , Sony Alpha, Sigma SA and Nikon F (FX) mounts.
Focal Range
Canon 60mm f2.8 Macro USM is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 60mm which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of
96mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.
On the other hand, the Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 50mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 80mm.