Just posted! Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM lens review

Just posted! Our new lens review of Sigma's latest baby, the 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM. This optic brings the classic 50mm focal length bang up to date, incorporating ultrasonic focusing for all camera mounts, and the use of an aspherical element for reduced aberrations. Serving dual purpose as a 'normal' lens on 35mm full-frame and a short 'portrait' telephoto on APS-C, the fast 50mm is a great complement to the ubiquitous slow kit zooms, but does the Sigma offer any compelling advantages over the camera manufacturers' own versions, or is it a case of too little, too late?

Click here for our lens review of the Sigma 50mm 1:1.4 EX DG HSM

Sigma, Canon, Nikon, and Pentax 50mm F1.4 lenses compared

	Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM	Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM	Nikon AF-Nikkor 50mm F1.4 D	Pentax smc P-FA 50mm F1.4
Street price	$500	$325	$290	$200
Maximum format size	35mm full frame	35mm full frame	35mm full frame	35mm full frame
Focal length	50mm	50mm	50mm	50mm
35mm equivalent focal length (APS-C)	• 75mm (1.5x) • 80mm (1.6x) • 85mm (1.7x)	80mm	75mm	75mm
Diagonal Angle of view (FF)	47º	47º	47º	47º
Diagonal Angle of view (APS-C)	31º	31º	31º	31º
Maximum aperture	F1.4	F1.4	F1.4	F1.4
Minimum aperture	F16	F22	F16	F22
Lens Construction	• 8 elements/6 groups • 1 aspherical element	• 7 elements/6 groups	• 7 elements/6 groups	• 7 elements/6 groups
Number of diaphragm blades	9, rounded	8	7	8
Minimum focus	0.45m	0.45m	0.45m	0.45m
Maximum magnification	0.14x	0.15x	0.15x	0.15x
AF motor type	• Ring-type ultrasonic • Full-time manual focus	• Micro-type ultrasonic • Full-time manual focus	• 'Screw drive' from camera body	• 'Screw drive' from camera body
Focus method	Unit, internal to barrel	Unit	Unit	Unit
Image stabilization	• None	• None	• None	• None
Filter thread	• 77mm • Does not rotate on focus	• 58mm • Does not rotate on focus	• 52mm • Does not rotate on focus	• 49mm • Does not rotate on focus
Supplied accessories	• Front and rear caps • Hood • Soft Case	• Front and rear caps	• Front and rear caps	• Front and rear caps
Weight	505 g (17.8 oz)	290g (10.2 oz)	230g (8.1 oz)	220g (7.8 oz)
Dimensions	84.5mm diameter x 68.2mm length (3.3 x 2.7 in)	73.8mm diameter x 50.5mm length (2.9 x 2.0 in)	64.5mm diameter x 42.5mm length (2.5 x 1.7 in)	63.5mm diameter x 38mm length (2.5 x 1.5 in)
Lens Mount	Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sigma, Sony	Canon EF only	Nikon F only	Pentax K only

Click here for our lens review of the Sigma 50mm 1:1.4 EX DG HSM