Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
Announced January 1, 2014
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art is a remarkably sharp prime lens that delivers excellent image quality and contrast even when shooting wide open. That said, it is significantly larger and heavier than typical 50mm lenses and lacks weather sealing.
Weighted from 30 reviewer scores
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness across the frame, including at wide apertures
- Fast, silent, and accurate autofocus performance
- Solid, high-quality build construction
- Attractive pricing relative to professional-grade alternatives
- Minimal distortion and chromatic aberration
Cons
- Substantial size and heavy weight
- Lack of weather sealing
- Inconsistent autofocus accuracy in some conditions
- Visible vignetting at wide apertures
- Bokeh quality can appear nervous or smudgy in complex backgrounds
- Launch price $949 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 50mm f/1.4
- Mount & coverage Sigma SA, Sony A Full-Frame
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 40 cm (0.18x)
- Filter thread 77mm
- Autofocus motor Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM)
- Weight & size 815g · 85.34 x 99.82 mm (3.36 x 3.93 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 30 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- PetaPixel 9.5/10
If you shoot 50mm at all and you're in the market, buy.
- DPReview 92/100
The Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art is distinctly large, heavy and expensive for its type. However this is more than made up for by its fast silent autofocus, solid build quality, and absolutely outstanding optics.
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So the Sigma 50mm f1.4 Art is a very good lens out-performing lenses even costing twice the price. It sets a very high bar for price/performance ratio of 50mm f1.4 lenses and easily earns our Highly Recommended award.
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Sigma's "Art" series tend to have a superb build quality and the 50mm f/1.4 is no exception to the rule.
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Similar to the excellent Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art that I have numerously praised here at Photography Life in the past, the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art definitely deserves the high praises.
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The lens looks lovely and handles just as well, but it is on its image quality that it should be judged and here I find it exceptional. If you have the money and want a 50mm f/1.4, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.
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While I will dock a few points from this lens for occasional AF inconsistency, the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens is now the overwhelming favorite in the 50mm field. This lens delivers excellent image quality, has a beautiful design and for what you get, a attractive price.
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If I were to buy a 50mm wide aperture lens right now, though, it would be this Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART lens. It is beautifully designed, classy, and takes great pictures.
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In the meantime, if you want the best 50 lens available without spending [...]
- SLR Lounge 5 out of 5 stars
I have been thoroughly impressed by this new Sigma 50mm F/1.4 DG HSM Art lens. In my testing, I found that I preferred it over the Canon 50mm F/1.2 as well as my old Sigma 50mm F/1.4.
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Back in the day I have been using two samples of this lens on my Nikon DSLRs and it was a real pain.
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I really don’t have a lot to add to what has already been said. From a resolution standpoint the Sigma is nearly as good as the Zeiss Otus, and clearly better than the Canon 50mm f/1.2 L.
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[S]igma have created a lens which performs well in terms of sharpness and other optical attributes, for a fairly reasonable price.
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The Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM is a fast and tack-sharp lens, both in the centre and at the edges of the frame, with virutally no evidence of chromatic aberrations and very little distortion.
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I'm certain that this is one of the sharpest 50s available for Canon or Nikon mount.
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Photographers looking for a fast 50mm lens that combines durability with excellent image quality will find Sigma’s 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens should meet their expectations.
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I’m not sure if it was any more than the 50L, but for a lens that comes at a significantly lower price, it was enough to make me start thinking that one of these could be in my lineup sometime in the near future, especially at the low $950 price point.
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This Sigma 50mm f/1.4 is an optically superb lens. Optically it is the best 50mm, 55mm or 58mm SLR lens I've ever tested.
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This is an excellent lens that sets a new benchmark for autofocusing 50mm lenses.
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As far as the cost/benefit is concerned…if you shoot professionally and you need critical sharpness then there is no comparison – Sigma have really created a beautiful lens.
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For photographers set on having a fast 50mm prime lens, the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art lens is a great choice.
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With all these positives for the lens – are there any negatives? With various images that I shot wide-open, it looked like the Sigma was consistently a third of a stop UNDER the other two lenses.
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It's a prime, and it's an absolutely fantastic prime, but it's larger and costs much more than many others.
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If you need good all-round wide aperture reliable and very sharp 50 millimeter lens then this is a perfect option, really perfect choice in my opinion. Quality delivers justifies the cost.
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Now, this is nothing short of a phenomenal lens.
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The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM lens is the latest Sigma “Art” line, and it doesn’t disappoint.
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Now I had honestly expected this lens to be good, quite good in fact.
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I don't think anybody could be disappointed with it.
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I think that shooting wide open on this particular Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art, a very, very good result by the 50mm.
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[T]hat Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art is doing an absolutely blinding job, so there you go.
