Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro vs Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM

Lens to replace

Change

Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro

Macro Prime | Sony Alpha

CHECK PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO

Change

Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM

Standard Prime | Sony Alpha

CHECK PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO

Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro vs Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two lenses with different focal types: Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro is a Macro Prime lens with a 50mm focal range and a max aperture of F2.8 whereas Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM is a Standard Prime lens with a 50mm focal range and max aperture of F1.4.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro Key Specs

50mm Focal Range

F2.8 Max Aperture

Filter Thread: 55mm

Max Format: APS-C / DX

Sony Alpha Mount

Weight: 295g.

Diameter: 72mm

Length: 60mm

Min Focus Distance:0.2m

Max Magnification:1x

Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Key Specs

50mm Focal Range

F1.4 Max Aperture

Filter Thread: 77mm

Max Format:

Sony Alpha Mount

Weight: 505g.

Diameter: 85mm

Length: 68mm

Min Focus Distance:0.45m

Max Magnification:0.14x

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM is the longer of the two lenses at 68mm. The Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro with a length of 60mm is 8mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM also has a larger diameter of 85mm compared to Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro's 72mm diameter.

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 50mm F2.8 Macro weighs 295g, which means it is 210g (71%) lighter than the Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM which has a weight of 505g.

Lens Mounts

Both Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro and Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM has the same Sony Alpha lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony Alpha lenses are Sony A68, Sony A77 II and Sony A58.

Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM is also available in Canon EF , Pentax KAF3, Sigma SA, Nikon F (FX) and Four Thirds mounts.

Focal Range

Reasons to choose Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro over Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM

Weight	295g vs 505g	210g lighter
Diameter	72mm vs 85mm	13mm smaller in diameter
Length	60mm vs 68mm	8mm shorter
Filter Thread	55mm vs 77mm	Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance	0.2m vs 0.45m	can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification	1x vs 0.14x	higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM over Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro

Max Aperture - Wide	1.4 vs 2.8	Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele	1.4 vs 2.8	Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades	9 vs 7	Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Max Sensor Coverage	35mm FF vs APS-C / DX	covers larger sensors

Common Strengths of Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro and Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM

Distance Scale	Yes vs Yes	Distance Scale to assist focusing
Depth-of-Field Scale	Yes vs Yes	Depth of Field scale to assist focusing

Common Weaknesses of Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro and Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM

Image Stabilization	No vs No	Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Weather Sealing	No vs No	not safe under rain and dust

**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.

Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro vs Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro	Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM
Brand	Sony	Sigma
Lens Type	Prime	Prime
Price	CHECK PRICE	CHECK PRICE
Lens Type	Macro Prime	Standard Prime
Lens Mount	Sony Alpha	Sony Alpha
Max Format	APS-C / DX	35mm FF
Focal Range	50mm	50mm
Image Stabilization	No	No
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	F2.8	F1.4
Min Aperture	F32.0	F16.0
Aperture Ring	No	No
Diaphragm Blades	7	9
Optics
Optical Elements	7	8
Optical Groups	6	6
Focusing
Min Focus Distance	0.2m	0.45m
Max Magnification	1X	0.14X
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
AF Motor Type	Screw drive from camera	Ring-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual		Yes
Focus Method	Extending front	Unit
Distance Scale	Yes	Yes
DoF Scale	Yes	Yes
Distance Scale	Yes	Yes
Focus Distance Limiter	Unknown	Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight	295g	505g
Diameter	72mm	85mm
Length	60mm	68mm
Materials	Unknown	Plastic barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing	Unknown	Unknown
Filter Thread	55mm	77mm
Filter Notes	-	Does not rotate on focus
Hood Supplied	No	Yes
Hood Code	Unknown	Unknown
Tripod Collar	No	No
Optional Accessories	-	-
	Report a Correction	Report a Correction