Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art
Announced August 6, 2020
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
Exceptional
The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art is a compact, high-resolution prime lens that delivers exceptional sharpness and smooth bokeh for portraiture. Although it exhibits noticeable distortion and vignetting, these optical traits are easily managed via in-camera profiles, making it a compelling, cost-effective alternative to first-party glass.
Weighted from 26 reviewer scores
Pros
- Smooth, high-quality bokeh rendering
- Compact, lightweight, and ergonomic design
- Excellent sharpness and high-resolution imaging
- Fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus performance
- Robust build quality with weather sealing
Cons
- Significant pincushion distortion
- Pronounced vignetting at wider apertures
- Noticeable focus breathing
- Limited close-focusing capabilities
- Launch price $1,199 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 85mm f/1.4
- Mount & coverage Sony E, L-Mount Full-Frame
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 85 cm (0.12x)
- Filter thread 77mm
- Autofocus motor Stepper motor
- Weight & size 625g (1 lb 6 oz) · 82.8 x 96.1 mm (3.26 x 3.78 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 26 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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[S]top down, this lens is fantastic optically across the whole field of view, so this is really a very appealing lens, and I think compared to the G Master, this lens makes way more sense.
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The 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art is Sigma’s latest 85mm prime lens and its best so far, making it an excellent match for high resolution full-frame mirrorless cameras with E-mount or L-mount.
- OpticalLimits 8.5/10
[T]he Sony and Sigma have very similar performance, although the Sigma may have a slight edge, specifically at shorter focus distances.
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The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Lens is an aesthetically-beautiful, optically and physically high-performing lens in a useful focal length and aperture combination with a relatively small size, light weight, and low price.
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Put simply, I think the new Sigma 85mm F1.4 DN ART is a winner. It does have a few flaws (the distortion and vignette are very high), but it has so many virtues that it isn’t hard for me to forgive its flaws.
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[T]hey can continue to put my Sony cameras to shame with their awesome resolution, and the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art has to come highly recommended.
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The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art, at a mere $1,199, is hands-down the best mirrorless portrait prime that we’ve reviewed.
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Sigma managed to design a very high resolution 1.4/85 with a very nice rendering in a surprisingly compact package.
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Superb optical performance and great handling make this a classy 85mm lens. The price is not the lowest, but the overall package is very, very attractive and pitched at a very fair level.
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[T]he new 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art is really the lens that Sigma should have released [...] it's smaller, lighter, sharper, producing better bokeh effects, focuses more quickly and quietly, and has more features, all at the same price-point.
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A star performer, this lens delivers fabulous image quality with superb sharpness and contrast, negligible color fringing and beautiful bokeh. It’s a dream for portraiture and still life, not only due to the quality of the results, but because handling is so refined.
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The Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art sports fantastic optics, a wide, bright aperture, and a classic focal length for portraiture—it's the lens to get if you don't want to spend on high-end Sony G Master or Leica glass.
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[T]his lens is designed to achieve truly notable optical performance and is ideally suited for creative and artistic applications.
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[R]eally nice lens for shallow depth of field female portraits in particular, and it will also be really useful if you shoot in very low light situations when you need an f/1.4 aperture.
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[T]hey used to call the older 85mm f/1.4 an autofocus Otus and this new one is even better than that. [...] [F]or the price point this is a very hard lens to pass up.
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[I]f you're a portrait photographer and you're looking for a really sharp 85mm lens, then this is probably for you.
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After getting the opportunity to review the Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art lens, it has become one of my all time favorite lenses regardless of manufacturer.
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After trying the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art, I think of it as a premier product in comparison— a lens you would bring out for a special occasion or pro gigs if you are a portrait or perhaps wedding photographer.
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[T]he Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art lens is an ideal portrait lens that easily holds its own five years after launch.
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[T]here's absolutely nothing wrong with that Sony lens; I achieved very good results from it, but for my money, I would go with the Sigma.
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If you're on a budget, I think that lens will suffice. But, if you just want like the best of the best possible 85 you could get for the Sony E-mount system, I would not hesitate to tell you to grab the Sigma DG DN for Sony E-mount.
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[I]t's pretty much everything we're looking for: amazing optics in a perfect tiny package with great build quality.
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[I] would highly recommend checking out the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art [...] because this lens is absolutely beautiful.
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[I]t has been redesigned for mirrorless cameras to make it a lot smaller, and the autofocus is a lot quieter and faster and way more accurate.
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Solid construction with equal if not better results than their pricier Sony counterparts makes these lenses easy to recommend.
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It’s small and lightweight, tack sharp, fast and dreamy.
