The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro and the Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM 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. Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro is the longer of the two lenses at 98mm. The Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM with a length of 68mm, is 30mm shorter. On the other hand, the Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM has a larger diameter of 85mm compared to the Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro's 74mm 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 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro weighs 460g, which means it is 45g (8%) lighter than the Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM which has a weight of 505g.
Filter Threads
The Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro has a filter size of 62mm whereas the Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM has a 77mm diameter. Larger filters are generally more expensive than the smaller ones given all the other features are equal.
Below are links to the 62mm filters that we recommend you to consider for the Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro:
And these are the 77mm filters that we recommend for the Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM:
Lens Mounts
The Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro has the Sony Alpha lens mount whereas the Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM has the Four Thirds lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with these mounts are Sony A99 II, Sony A68 and Sony A77 II for the Sony Alpha Mount and Olympus E-5, Olympus E-600 and Olympus E-620 for the Four Thirds Mount.
Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro is also available in Canon EF , Nikon F (FX), Pentax KAF, Sigma SA and Four Thirds mounts.
Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM is also available in Canon EF , Pentax KAF3, Sony Alpha, Sigma SA and Nikon F (FX) mounts.
Focal Range
Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 105mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of
157.5mm.
On the other hand, the Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 50mm.