OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Camera lenses Methodology v1.0
Camera lenses Methodology v1.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are evaluated mathematically under Frontumo Camera lenses Methodology v1.0 using verified laboratory benchmarks, technical specifications, and authentic consumer ratings with 0% commercial bias.
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Sigma 50mm F1 4 DG HSM Art Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price:~£660Lens mount:Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Sony E, L-Mount, Sigma SAMaximum focal length:50 mmMaximum aperture (telephoto end):1.4Optical image stabilization:noMaximum angle of view:46.8 °

Sigma 50mm F1 4 DG HSM Art Review: Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Camera lenses category and whether it is worth buying.

7.4

Overall score

Score
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the camera lens's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best camera lenses on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 72% of models
Score components

80%

6.9

Technical score

20%

9.3

User score

â–²Better than 72% of camera-lenses
6.9

Technical score

Technical score
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 63% of models
Score components

35%

9.6

Optics & Aperture

24%

5.6

Build & Handling

20%

6.4

Focus & Controls

10%

7.9

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

â–²Better than 63% of camera-lenses
9.3

User score

User score
9.3/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 91% of models
Score components

70%

9.0

User ratings

30%

10

Number of reviews

Based on 4,067 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
★Better than 91% of camera-lenses
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Best prices

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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of camera lens Sigma 50mm F1 4 DG HSM Art

Technical score
Technical score
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 63% of models
Score components:

35%

9.6

Optics & Aperture

24%

5.6

Build & Handling

20%

6.4

Focus & Controls

10%

7.9

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

6.9
User score
User score
9.3/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 91% of models
Score components

70%

9.0

User ratings

30%

10

Number of reviews

Based on 4,067 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
9.3
Popularity
Popularity
10.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 92% of models
Popularity:
Sigma 50mm F1 4 DG HSM Art has a popularity score of 10 points, which is higher than 91.6% of camera lenses.
10
Value for money
Value for money
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the camera lens's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you want to know how much overall quality you get for the price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 70% of models
Score components:

60%

7.4

Overall score

40%

7.0

Price

7.3
Lens type
prime
Lens mount
Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Sony E, L-Mount, Sigma SA
Sensor format coverage
Full-frame
Filter thread size
77 mm
Teleconverter compatibility
no
Teleconverter compatibility
no
â–¼ Worse than 15% of models
This camera lens does not support teleconverters. 15.3% of camera lenses support teleconverters.
Show more
Minimum focal length
50 mm
Maximum focal length
50 mm
Optical zoom
N/A
Maximum angle of view
46.8 °
Minimum angle of view
46.8 °
Show more
Focus motor
HSM
Minimum focus distance
0.4 m
Minimum focus distance
0.4 m
â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
This camera lens focuses as close as 0.4 m, which is farther than 60.5% of camera lenses and equal to 2.9% of camera lenses.
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.179xx
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.179x
â–¼ Worse than 54% of models
Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
This camera lens reaches a reproduction ratio of 0.179x, which is lower than 54.3% of camera lenses and equal to 2.4% of camera lenses.
Full-time manual focus
yes
Full-time manual focus
yes
â–² Better than 32% of models
This camera lens supports full-time manual focus. 68.3% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
Internal focusing
yes
Internal focusing
yes
â–² Better than 16% of models
This camera lens supports internal focusing. 83.6% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Show more
Optical image stabilization
no
Optical image stabilization
no
â–¼ Worse than 29% of models
This camera lens does not support optical image stabilization. 29.1% of camera lenses include optical image stabilization.
Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)
N/A
Weight
815 g
Weight
815 g
â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
This camera lens weighs 815 g, which is heavier than 76.3% of camera lenses and equal to the weight of 0.1% of camera lenses.
Lens length
99.9 mm
Lens length
99.9 mm
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
This camera lens is 99.9 mm long, which is longer than 59.4% of camera lenses and equal to the length of 0.3% of camera lenses.
Lens diameter
85.4 mm
Lens diameter
85.4 mm
â–¼ Worse than 74% of models
Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
This camera lens has a diameter of 85.4 mm, which is wider than 74.1% of camera lenses and equal to that of 0.1% of camera lenses.
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
This camera lens does not support weather sealing. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
Metal mount
yes
Metal mount
yes
â–² Better than 6% of models
This camera lens uses a metal lens mount. 93.6% of camera lenses use a metal lens mount.
Show more
DxOMark overall score
?
DxOMark sharpness score
?
DxOMark transmission
?
DxOMark distortion
?
DxOMark vignetting
1.2 EV
DxOMark vignetting
1.2 EV
â–² Better than 48% of models
Market range: <0.7 EV – >1.9 EV
This camera lens has DxOMark vignetting of 1.2 EV, which is lower than that of 47.9% of camera lenses and equal to that of 10.1% of camera lenses.
Show more

Sigma 50mm F1 4 DG HSM Art vs the average camera lens

246810TotalMount & FormatOptics & ApertureFocus & ControlsStabilizationBuild & HandlingLab Scores
  • 1.4 lower f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    1.4
    â–² Better than 84% of models
    Market range: <1.4 – >5.6
    This camera lens has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/1.4 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    1.4 vs 2.8
  • Has focus distance scale
    Focus distance scale
    yes
    â–² Better than 51% of models
    This camera lens has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
  • 1 more low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    3
    â–² Better than 64% of models
    Market range: <0 – >4
    This camera lens has more low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (3 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    3 vs 2
  • 37.3% more popular
    Sigma 50mm F1 4 DG HSM Art is more popular than the average camera lens (10 vs 7.3).
    10 vs 7.29
  • 11.2% higher user score
    User score
    9.3/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
    When it matters
    When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Sigma 50mm F1 4 DG HSM Art
    the average camera lens
    Sigma 50mm F1 4 DG HSM Art has a higher user score than the average camera lens (9.29 vs 8.360).
    9.29 vs 8.36
  • 37.3% more popular
    Sigma 50mm F1 4 DG HSM Art is more popular than the average camera lens (10 vs 7.3).
    10 vs 7.29
  • 11.2% higher user score
    User score
    9.3/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
    When it matters
    When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Sigma 50mm F1 4 DG HSM Art
    the average camera lens
    Sigma 50mm F1 4 DG HSM Art has a higher user score than the average camera lens (9.29 vs 8.360).
    9.29 vs 8.36
  • 1.4 lower f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    1.4
    â–² Better than 84% of models
    Market range: <1.4 – >5.6
    This camera lens has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/1.4 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    1.4 vs 2.8
  • 1 more low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    3
    â–² Better than 64% of models
    Market range: <0 – >4
    This camera lens has more low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (3 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    3 vs 2
  • Has focus distance scale
    Focus distance scale
    yes
    â–² Better than 51% of models
    This camera lens has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • 305 g heavier
    Weight
    815 g
    â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is heavier than the average camera lens (815 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    815 g vs 510 g
  • 1 fewer aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    1
    â–¼ Worse than 51% of models
    Market range: <0 – >3
    This camera lens has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (1 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    1 vs 2
  • 8.4 mm wider lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    85.4 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 74% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens is wider than the average camera lens (85.4 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    85.4 mm vs 77 mm
  • 7.65 mm longer lens
    Lens length
    99.9 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is longer than the average camera lens (99.9 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    99.9 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 0.1 m longer minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.4 m
    â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
    Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
    This camera lens has a higher minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.4 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.4 m vs 0.3 m
  • Older release date
    Release date
    2014
    â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    April 2014
    2014 vs 2016
  • 0.01 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.179 x
    â–¼ Worse than 54% of models
    Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
    This camera lens has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.2 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.179 x vs 0.192 x
  • 1 fewer aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    1
    â–¼ Worse than 51% of models
    Market range: <0 – >3
    This camera lens has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (1 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    1 vs 2
  • 0.1 m longer minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.4 m
    â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
    Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
    This camera lens has a higher minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.4 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.4 m vs 0.3 m
  • 0.01 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.179 x
    â–¼ Worse than 54% of models
    Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
    This camera lens has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.2 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.179 x vs 0.192 x
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • 305 g heavier
    Weight
    815 g
    â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is heavier than the average camera lens (815 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    815 g vs 510 g
  • 8.4 mm wider lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    85.4 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 74% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens is wider than the average camera lens (85.4 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    85.4 mm vs 77 mm
  • 7.65 mm longer lens
    Lens length
    99.9 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is longer than the average camera lens (99.9 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    99.9 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • Older release date
    Release date
    2014
    â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    April 2014
    2014 vs 2016

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Third-party reviews

Based on 4,067 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →

What we like about Sigma 50mm F1 4 DG HSM Art

  • Exceptional sharpness even when shot wide open at f/1.4
  • High build quality with a solid, premium feel often compared to Zeiss lenses
  • Smooth and attractive bokeh for portraiture
  • Fast and quiet autofocus performance using the Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM)
  • Minimal chromatic aberration and distortion compared to competitors
  • Excellent value for its performance level, especially vs higher-end luxury primes

What we don't like about Sigma 50mm F1 4 DG HSM Art

  • Significantly larger and heavier than most standard 50mm f/1.4 lenses
  • Lack of weather sealing makes it less ideal for dusty or damp conditions
  • Occasional autofocus inconsistency reported on some DSLR bodies
  • No built-in image stabilization
  • May require fine-tuning with a USB dock for optimal focus accuracy

Verdict

The Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM Art is a premium full-frame standard prime lens engineered with a complex optical formula of 13 elements in 8 groups, a 9-blade rounded diaphragm, a 77mm filter thread, and a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) for fast, quiet autofocusing. Main pros include exceptional ultra-sharp image quality even wide open at f/1.4, beautiful smooth bokeh, minimal distortion, a solid build quality utilizing Thermally Stable Composite material, and a short 40cm minimum focusing distance. However, notable cons include its large and bulky footprint, a heavy weight of 815 grams, a lack of weather-sealed gaskets at the lens mount, and visible corner vignetting at wide apertures.

Compare Sigma 50mm F1 4 DG HSM Art with other products in the Camera lenses category

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