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Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art vs Sony FE 85mm F1.8

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Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN

Telephoto Prime | Sony E

Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art
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Sony FE 85mm F1.8

Telephoto Prime | Sony E

Sony FE 85mm F1.8
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BUY from B&H PHOTO

Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN vs Sony FE 85mm F1.8 Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN for the E Mount and the Sony FE 85mm F1.8 for the E Mount, two Telephoto Prime lenses from Sigma and Sony. Both lenses have the same focal range of 85mm but different max apertures: Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN has a max aperture of F1.4 while the Sony FE 85mm F1.8 has a max aperture of F1.8.

We will start by looking briefly at the main specs of these two lenses, and in the next section, we will start analyzing them in more detail and listing the pros and cons of each lens.

Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Key Specs

  • 85mm Focal Range
  • F1.4 Max Aperture
  • Weather-sealed
  • Filter Thread: 77mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 630g.
  • Diameter: 83mm
  • Length: 94mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.85m
  • Max Magnification: 0.12x

Sony FE 85mm F1.8 Key Specs

  • 85mm Focal Range
  • F1.8 Max Aperture
  • Weather-sealed
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 371g.
  • Diameter: 78mm
  • Length: 82mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.8m
  • Max Magnification: 0.13x

What type of photography are the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN and Sony FE 85mm F1.8 lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN and the Sony FE 85mm F1.8 for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Sony FE 85mm F1.8
Bird/WildlifeAverageAverage
SportsGoodGood
PortraitExcellentExcellent
TravelFairFair
StreetAverageAverage
WeddingVery GoodVery Good
Walk AroundFairFair
VloggingAverageAverage
LandscapeFairFair
MacroPoorPoor

Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN is the longer of the two lenses at 94mm. The Sony FE 85mm F1.8 with a length of 82mm, is 12mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN also has a larger diameter of 83mm compared to the Sony FE 85mm F1.8's 78mm diameter.

Below you can find a scaled side-by-side image of Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN and Sony FE 85mm F1.8 to get a better idea of how their sizes compare in real life.

Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN  vs Sony FE 85mm F1.8 Lens Size Comparison
Comparison image of the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN and the Sony FE 85mm F1.8 Size and Weight

The weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Sony FE 85mm F1.8 weighs 371g, 41% (259g) lighter than the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN 's weight of 630g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the Telephoto Prime Lenses in Sony E Mount for size comparison purposes.

Telephoto Prime Lenses in Sony E Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Samyang AF 135mm F1.8 FE Lens Samyang AF 135mm F1.8 FE
130mm
93mm 772g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM Lens Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM
108mm
90mm 820g Amazon B&H Photo
Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 FE Lens Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 FE
100mm
88mm 568g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 600mm F4 GM OSS Lens Sony FE 600mm F4 GM OSS
449mm
164mm 3040g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art Lens Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM
141mm
91mm 1130g Amazon B&H Photo
Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8 Lens Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8
78mm
105mm 475g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS Lens Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS
359mm
158mm 2895g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM Lens Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM
127mm
90mm 950g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN and the Sony FE 85mm F1.8 has the same Sony E lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony E lenses are Sony A7R V, Sony FX30 and Sony A7 IV.

Focal Range

Both lenses have the same focal range of 85mm but while Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN has the fastest aperture of F1.4, the Sony FE 85mm F1.8's widest aperture value is F1.8.

Reasons to choose Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art over Sony FE 85mm F1.8

Max Aperture - Wide 1.4 vs 1.8 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.4 vs 1.8 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades 11 vs 9 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Aperture Ring Yes vs No able to adjust the aperture on the lens

Reasons to choose Sony FE 85mm F1.8 over Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art

Weight 371g vs 630g 259g lighter
Diameter 78mm vs 83mm 5mm smaller in diameter
Length 82mm vs 94mm 12mm shorter
Filter Thread 67mm vs 77mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.8m vs 0.85m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.13x vs 0.12x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art and Sony FE 85mm F1.8
Internal Focusing Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Weather Sealing Yes vs Yes safer to use under rain and dust
Common Weaknesses of Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art and Sony FE 85mm F1.8
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Distance Scale No vs No No Distance Scale assist


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN vs Sony FE 85mm F1.8 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Sigma Sony
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Telephoto Prime Telephoto Prime
Lens Mount Sony E Sony E
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 85mm 85mm
Image Stabilization
Colour Black Black
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F1.4 F1.8
Min Aperture F16 F22
Aperture Ring Yes No
Diaphragm Blades 11 9
Optics
Optical Elements 11 9
Optical Groups 15 8
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.85m 0.8m
Max Magnification 0.12X 0.13X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Stepper motor Linear Motor
Full Time Manual Yes Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale No No
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale No No
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 630g 371g
Diameter 83mm 78mm
Length 94mm 82mm
Materials Magnesium alloy -
Weather Sealing Yes Yes
Filter Thread 77mm 67mm
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code - ALC-SH150
Tripod Collar No No
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