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Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM vs Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A

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Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM

Standard Prime | Sony Alpha

Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM
CHECK PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO
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Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A

Standard Prime | Sony Alpha

Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A
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BUY from B&H PHOTO

Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM vs Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM and Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A, two Standard Prime lenses from Sony and Sigma. Both lenses have the same focal range of 50mm but different max apertures: Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM has a max aperture of F1.8 while the Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A has a max aperture of F1.4. Another major difference between these two lenses is that the Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM has a max format size coverage of APS-C / DX, on the other hand the Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A has a max coverage of 35mm FF.

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 DT 50mm F1.8 SAM Key Specs

  • 50mm Focal Range
  • F1.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 49mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 170g.
  • Diameter: 70mm
  • Length: 45mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.34m
  • Max Magnification:0.2x

Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A Key Specs

  • 50mm Focal Range
  • F1.4 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 77mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 815g.
  • Diameter: 85mm
  • Length: 100mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.4m
  • Max Magnification:0.18x

What type of photography are the Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM and Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM and the Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A
Bird/WildlifeFairFair
SportsAverageAverage
PortraitExcellentExcellent
TravelAverageGood
StreetGoodVery Good
WeddingExcellentExcellent
Walk AroundAverageGood
VloggingAverageGood
LandscapeAverageGood
MacroFairPoor

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A is the longer of the two lenses at 100mm. The Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM with a length of 45mm is 55mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A also has a larger diameter of 85mm compared to Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM's 70mm 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 DT 50mm F1.8 SAM weighs 170g, which means it is 645g (79%) lighter than the Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A which has a weight of 815g.


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

Standard Prime Lenses in Sony Alpha Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sony 50mm F1.4 Lens Sony 50mm F1.4
43mm
66mm 222g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM Lens Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM
59mm
77mm 430g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony Carl Zeiss Planar T 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM Lens Sony CZ T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM
72mm
81mm 518g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD Lens Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD
92mm
80mm 520g Amazon B&H Photo
Lensbaby Burnside 35 Lens Lensbaby Burnside 35
70mm
70mm 374g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Lens Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM
68mm
85mm 505g Amazon B&H Photo
Lensbaby Velvet 56 Lens Lensbaby Velvet 56
86mm
72mm 400g Amazon B&H Photo
Samyang 50mm F1.4 AS UMC Lens Samyang 50mm F1.4 AS UMC
75mm
82mm 535g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM and Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A 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 DG HSM A is also available in Canon EF , Sigma SA, Nikon F (FX) and Leica L mounts.

Focal Range

Reasons to choose Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM over Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A

Weight 170g vs 815g 645g lighter
Diameter 70mm vs 85mm 15mm smaller in diameter
Length 45mm vs 100mm 55mm shorter
Filter Thread 49mm vs 77mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.34m vs 0.4m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.2x vs 0.18x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A over Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM

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 9 vs 7 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs No Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Max Sensor Coverage 35mm FF vs APS-C / DX covers larger sensors

Common Strengths of Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM and Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Common Weaknesses of Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM and Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A
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 DT 50mm F1.8 SAM vs Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Sony Sigma
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Standard 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 Unknown
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F1.8 F1.4
Min Aperture F32.0 F16.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 7 9
Optics
Optical Elements 6 13
Optical Groups 5 8
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.34m 0.4m
Max Magnification 0.2X 0.18X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Micromotor Ring-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual No Yes
Focus Method Unit Internal
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale No Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 170g 815g
Diameter 70mm 85mm
Length 45mm 100mm
Materials Plastic barrel, plastic mount Unknown
Weather Sealing No Unknown
Filter Thread 49mm 77mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied No Unknown
Hood Code Unknown Unknown
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
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