Sigma EX DG 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM 50mm
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
What Buyers Say
Sigma EX DG 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM 50mm
The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art lens is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and fast, quiet autofocus. Users consistently highlight its premium build quality and excellent value compared to first-party alternatives like Canon L or Nikon G lenses. While many note it is heavier and larger than typical 50mm primes, the image quality and performance are considered well worth the trade-off. A few users mention potential autofocus inconsistencies in low light or with older firmware, but overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness
- Beautiful bokeh
- Fast and quiet autofocus
- Premium build quality
- Great value for money
Cons
- Heavy and bulky
- Autofocus hunts in low light
- Soft edges at f/1.4
- Potential front/back focus issues
- Firmware compatibility concerns
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
The Tamron 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD is widely praised as a versatile all-in-one zoom for Sony APS-C cameras. Users love the incredible 16.6x range, close focusing at the wide end, and solid image quality, though some note softness beyond 70-80mm and slow autofocus. The lens is heavier than typical crop-sensor lenses but still considered portable. A few verified buyers report issues with sharpness at the telephoto end and a stiff zoom ring, but the majority find it an excellent walk-around lens that replaces multiple primes and zooms.
Pros
- Incredible 16.6x zoom range
- Close focusing at wide end (semi-macro)
- Good image quality and color rendition
- Solid build with weather sealing
- Effective vibration compensation (VC)
Cons
- Softness beyond 70-80mm
- Slow autofocus compared to smaller zooms
- Heavy and bulky for APS-C
- Stiff zoom ring when zooming out
- Moderate distortion at both ends
Scores
Specifications
| Sigma EX DG 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM 50mm | Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | standard | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 50 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 50 mm | 300 mm |
| Elements | 14 | 19 |
| Groups | 11 | 5 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 4★ |
| Coating | Super multi-layer lens coating | Fluorine Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | f/1.4 | 3.5-6.3 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sigma SA | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.81 kg | 0.62 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 77 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | HSM | VXD linear motor★ |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 400 mm | 150 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:5.6 | 1:2 |
Pros & Cons
Sigma EX DG 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM 50mm
- Strong aperture (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong bokeh (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong user sentiment (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
- Strong versatility (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong optical (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong macro (87th percentile)87th %ile
Pricing
Verdict
Scores 100 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 21 specs.
