Sigma 50mm f/2 vs Panasonic 50mm f/1.8

[MrQuimper]

I searched the forum and couldn't find any info.

I'm undecided between these two lenses, has anyone compared them?

I'm mostly interested in color rendition, overall look, AF speed. I don't do video, so the Panny's advantage in this area doesn't really matter to me.

I'm not interested in the f/1.4 or f/1.2 versions, f/2 is enough for me, and anyway I have some faster M mount lenses.

 

[georgehudetz]

Not exactly what you asked but:

I have the Panny but not the Sigma.

However, I do have other Sigma primes, as well as a collection of both Panny and Sigma zooms. I can say that with fairly good consistency, the Panny glass is cooler than the Sigma glass. Neither is obviously cool or warm, but there is a perceivable difference. I often warm up my Panny shots by a small margin (landscape mostly).

I can't say how the 50/1.8 compares from an IQ perspective to the 50/2, but the 50/1.8 is quite good. On the other hand, Lenstip did recently give the 50/2 an "Editor's Choice" award and they are fairly stingy with that. The Sigma 50/2 seems like an impressive lens. I have the Sigma 65/2, which they also heap praise on, and it's incredibly sharp - even wide open. But then I've shot astro with both the 50/18 and 65/2 wide-open, and neither lens has any apologies to make.

From a handling perspective, it's plastic (albeit very high quality plastic) on the Panny vs. aluminum on the Sigma, and the Sigma has an aperture ring. The Panny 1.8 primes are quite nice (if you can get past "plastic") but the "Sigmacrons" are in another league. They really are something special, and people tend to love them.

On the other hand, the Panny 1.8 primes have that packaging thing going on, where they are all nearly the same size & weight. Great to have for video/gimbal use, but you said photography only, so not so important.

Personally, I'd advise going Sigma for photography, and Panasonic for video.

 

[Johan Borg]

Still not what you asked for, but:

I have the Sigma but not the Panny.

The reason I bought the Sigma 50mm F2 was that I wanted a lens where I could use any aperture without compromise. That appears to be the case, as it's sharp (to my eyes and 24mp) corner-to-corner wide open. I also appreciate the aperture ring, as my camera is the Sigma fp, with limited physical controls.

The only area I have slight reservations is the out of focus rendering. While both the Sigma 50/2 and the Panasonic 50/1.8 receive good reviews in this regard, I feel that neither of them is up to the impossible standards of the 45mm F2.8 DG DN.

 

[QM]

Again, no direct comparison. But I have the Panasonic 50/1.8 and the Sigma 35/2.0.

Handling an feeling of the Sigma are outstanding with its metal build and the nice aperture ring. The 50/2.0 should be about the same. The LUMIX 50mm feels definitely cheaper than the Sigma. Not as cheap as many other 50mm from other brands. The Sigma I series is just a very high level for any comparison in terms of build quality and handling.

The image quality is very good on both, sharp across the frame from edge to edge. But I would say the Panasonic is even a little better in terms of image quality. However, I'm comparing with the 35mm Sigma and that doesn't have to hold its trues for the 50mm. But I would say the Sigma is very good and the LUMIX us very very good.

In terms of AF, the LUMIX is noticeable better than the Sigma 35mm. But if I'm right, Sigma gave the 50/2 it's new AF technology. If so, the 50/2 should have better AF than the 35/2.

In conclusion with my own experience with the LUMIX 50/1.8 and what others said about the Sigma 50/2, I think you can't go wrong with either of both. The Sigma 50/2 wasn't on the market when I've bought the LUMIX. Maybe I would choose the Sigma today, because of the handling of the I series. But the LUMIX is definitely a very good lens as well.

 

[MrQuimper]

Thanks all. In the end I think I'll go for the Panasonic, because I'm planning to get the 85mm later on, and having two lenses from the same line will most likely help to achieve a more consistent look, as opposed to a Sigma + Panasonic combo.

 

[Jonathan Mac]

I'm maybe a bit late here but I'm probably one of the very few people that owns both of these lenses. 50mm is my favourite focal length and I like primes more than zooms. The 50mm, along with the 20-60mm, came in the kit with my S5 and I have to say I have been extremely impressed with it. Build quality is decent, AF (S and C) is fast and accurate and optically it's just superb - sharpness, colour, contrast, all great. Just make sure you get a copy that doesn't suffer from blue fogging.

So why did I later buy the Sigma? Because I have several other I-series lenses and I love the feel of them - the all-metal build, the nice clicky aperture ring, the silky-smooth manual focus. Using a well-made and engineered lens is part of my love for taking photographs and the Sigma 50/2 is perfect in that regard. Optically it's just as good as the Panasonic but it's not sealed, it's a little slower and AF-C is not as good. So I take the Lumix when I need sealing, maximum speed or the best AF available to me. I take the Sigma when I want to enjoy photography more.

Between the two I really don't have a favourite as each has it's positives and negatives, so it really depends on what you want out of it.

Here's a size comparison without hoods.

 

[Magnumdarkstar]

I'm maybe a bit late here but I'm probably one of the very few people that owns both of these lenses. 50mm is my favourite focal length and I like primes more than zooms. The 50mm, along with the 20-60mm, came in the kit with my S5 and I have to say I have been extremely impressed with it. Build quality is decent, AF (S and C) is fast and accurate and optically it's just superb - sharpness, colour, contrast, all great. Just make sure you get a copy that doesn't suffer from blue fogging.

So why did I later buy the Sigma? Because I have several other I-series lenses and I love the feel of them - the all-metal build, the nice clicky aperture ring, the silky-smooth manual focus. Using a well-made and engineered lens is part of my love for taking photographs and the Sigma 50/2 is perfect in that regard. Optically it's just as good as the Panasonic but it's not sealed, it's a little slower and AF-C is not as good. So I take the Lumix when I need sealing, maximum speed or the best AF available to me. I take the Sigma when I want to enjoy photography more.

Between the two I really don't have a favourite as each has it's positives and negatives, so it really depends on what you want out of it.

Here's a size comparison without hoods.

There is also something about how that Sigma lineup renders images. I jumped in with both feet and am up to 5 of them. Combined with the s5iiX is the chefs kiss.

 

[bs1946]

Optically it's just as good as the Panasonic but it's not sealed, it's a little slower and AF-C is not as good. So I take the Lumix when I need sealing, maximum speed or the best AF available to me. I take the Sigma when I want to enjoy photography more.

Are you sure about the weather resistance on your Sigma 50/f2? I don't have the 50/f2, but I have five of the Sigma I series L-Mount lenses, Sigma says they all have weather sealing, and the rubber weather sealing gasket around the outer edge of the mount is clearly visible on all of them...

 

[Johan Borg]

Optically it's just as good as the Panasonic but it's not sealed, it's a little slower and AF-C is not as good. So I take the Lumix when I need sealing, maximum speed or the best AF available to me. I take the Sigma when I want to enjoy photography more.

Are you sure about the weather resistance on your Sigma 50/f2? I don't have the 50/f2, but I have five of the Sigma I series L-Mount lenses, Sigma says they all have weather sealing, and the rubber weather sealing gasket around the outer edge of the mount is clearly visible on all of them...

Yes, but Sigma writes this in the specifications section of I series lenses:

"Mount with Dust and Splash Resistant Structure"

For Art lenses, they just say:

"Dust and Splash Resistant Structure"

50mm F1.2 DG DN | LENSES | Sigma

This page is about Sigma's 50mm F1.2 DG DN.

www.sigma-global.com

 

[Jonathan Mac]

Optically it's just as good as the Panasonic but it's not sealed, it's a little slower and AF-C is not as good. So I take the Lumix when I need sealing, maximum speed or the best AF available to me. I take the Sigma when I want to enjoy photography more.

Are you sure about the weather resistance on your Sigma 50/f2? I don't have the 50/f2, but I have five of the Sigma I series L-Mount lenses, Sigma says they all have weather sealing, and the rubber weather sealing gasket around the outer edge of the mount is clearly visible on all of them...

I-series lenses like the 50/2 are sealed only at the mount. There are no other seals, for example around the aperture ring, focusing ring or AF/MF switch.

 

[vigna]

50mm f1.8 is one of the go to lens for me lately when I do dance portraits. Very good lens for the price however it is more plastic compared to Sigma contemporary lenses. You won’t get contrasty as Sigma but good enough for general purposes

 

[MrQuimper]

I'm maybe a bit late here but I'm probably one of the very few people that owns both of these lenses. 50mm is my favourite focal length and I like primes more than zooms. The 50mm, along with the 20-60mm, came in the kit with my S5 and I have to say I have been extremely impressed with it. Build quality is decent, AF (S and C) is fast and accurate and optically it's just superb - sharpness, colour, contrast, all great. Just make sure you get a copy that doesn't suffer from blue fogging.

So why did I later buy the Sigma? Because I have several other I-series lenses and I love the feel of them - the all-metal build, the nice clicky aperture ring, the silky-smooth manual focus. Using a well-made and engineered lens is part of my love for taking photographs and the Sigma 50/2 is perfect in that regard. Optically it's just as good as the Panasonic but it's not sealed, it's a little slower and AF-C is not as good. So I take the Lumix when I need sealing, maximum speed or the best AF available to me. I take the Sigma when I want to enjoy photography more.

Between the two I really don't have a favourite as each has it's positives and negatives, so it really depends on what you want out of it.

Here's a size comparison without hoods.

not late at all, I still haven’t purchased the lens. I’m patiently waiting for some good offer or to buy used.

 

[Jonathan Mac]

not late at all, I still haven’t purchased the lens. I’m patiently waiting for some good offer or to buy used.

I don't imagine the Sigma is a big seller as many people will already have the Lumix or will prefer it due to the extra 1/3 of a stop or better AF, so it will be very rare on the used market. The Lumix, along with the 20-60mm, is one of the most common lenses on the used market, just make sure you check it for blue fogging.

 

[havanna60]

I still haven’t purchased the lens. I’m patiently waiting for some good offer or to buy used.

Your gear list is empty, which camera body are you planning to buy a 50mm? I purchased my Panasonic S9 two weeks ago, 2024 July 29, along with a Sigma 17mm. I tested the Sigma 50 mm f2 in the store, and I was super impressed. Eventually, I purchased the Sigma 45 mm, since it was even smaller. I didn't even touch any Panasonic lenses, I went to the store to pick the S9 with some Sigma compact lenses, or nothing. I am very happy with S9 and Sigma lenses. I am a Sony shooter (A7III, A9) too, and I know what is fantastic AF. As for AF, with S9, Panasonic reached Sony to a level which make me absolutely happy. Maybe die-hard Sony fans say that Sony is still faster with its most recent cameras, but the A7III and A9 level to me was absolutely perfect, I simply don't care if a camera is faster than these. The S9 AF is super gorgeous with Sigma lenses.