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Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD vs Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro

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Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD

Standard Prime | Sony Alpha

Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD
CHECK PRICE

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Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro

Macro Prime | Sony Alpha

Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro
CHECK PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO

Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD vs Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two lenses with different focal types: Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD is a Standard Prime lens with a 45mm focal range and a max aperture of F1.8 whereas Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro is a Macro Prime lens with a 50mm focal range and max aperture of F2.8.

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.

Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD Key Specs

  • 45mm Focal Range
  • F1.8 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 520g.
  • Diameter: 80mm
  • Length: 92mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.29m
  • Max Magnification:0.3x

Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro Key Specs

  • 50mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 55mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 320g.
  • Diameter: 71mm
  • Length: 67mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.19m
  • Max Magnification:1x

What type of photography are the Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD and Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD and the Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro
Bird/WildlifeFairFair
SportsAverageFair
PortraitExcellentGood
TravelGoodAverage
StreetVery GoodGood
WeddingExcellentGood
Walk AroundGoodAverage
VloggingGoodAverage
LandscapeGoodGood
MacroAverageVery Good

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD is the longer of the two lenses at 92mm. The Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro with a length of 67mm is 25mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD also has a larger diameter of 80mm compared to Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro's 71mm 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. Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro weighs 320g, 38% (200g) lighter than the Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD's weight of 520g.


Lens Mounts

Both Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD and Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro has the same Sony Alpha lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony Alpha lenses are Sony A99 II, Sony A68 and Sony A77 II.

Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD is also available in Canon EF and Nikon F (FX) mounts.

Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro is also available in Canon EF , Pentax KAF, Sigma SA and Nikon F (FX) mounts.

Focal Range

Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 45mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 67.5mm.
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 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 75mm.

Reasons to choose Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD over Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro

Focal Length - Wide 45mm vs 50mm 5mm Wider coverage
Image Stabilization Yes vs No Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Max Aperture - Wide 1.8 vs 2.8 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.8 vs 2.8 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs 7 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Focus Type Internal Focusing vs Extending front Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Weather Sealing Yes vs No safer to use under rain and dust

Reasons to choose Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro over Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD

Focal Length - Tele 50mm vs 45mm 5mm more Tele coverage
Weight 320g vs 520g 200g lighter
Diameter 71mm vs 80mm 9mm smaller in diameter
Length 67mm vs 92mm 25mm shorter
Filter Thread 55mm vs 67mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.19m vs 0.29m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 1x vs 0.3x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD and Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing



**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.

Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD vs Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Tamron Sigma
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Standard Prime Macro Prime
Lens Mount Sony Alpha Sony Alpha
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 45mm 50mm
Image Stabilization Yes 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 F1.8 F2.8
Min Aperture
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 9 7
Optics
Optical Elements 10 10
Optical Groups 8 9
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.29m 0.19m
Max Magnification 0.3X 1X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Ring-type ultrasonic Micromotor
Full Time Manual Yes No
Focus Method Internal Extending front
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Unknown Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Yes
Physical Specs
Weight 520g 320g
Diameter 80mm 71mm
Length 92mm 67mm
Materials Unknown metal mount
Weather Sealing Yes Unknown
Filter Thread 67mm 55mm
Filter Notes - Does not rotate on focus
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code Unknown Unknown
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
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