Sigma APO 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro
Meike 85mm F1.4 II 85mm
What Buyers Say
Sigma APO 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro
This Sigma 70-300mm lens is widely praised for its excellent value, delivering sharp images, good bokeh, and a useful macro function at a budget price. Many users note it's ideal for amateur photographers, though the autofocus can be slow and noisy, and image quality softens slightly at 300mm without a tripod. Overall, it's considered a fantastic performance-to-price winner for those not needing professional-grade telephoto capabilities.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Sharp image quality
- Good bokeh effect
- Useful macro function
- Solid build quality
Cons
- Slow autofocus in low light
- Noisy autofocus motor
- Softness at 300mm without tripod
- Rotating front element for polarizers
- Weighty for long hikes
Meike 85mm F1.4 II 85mm
The Meike 55mm f/1.4 AF lens for APS-C Nikon Z cameras is a compact, fast-aperture portrait lens that delivers excellent sharpness and creamy bokeh at a very affordable price. Autofocus is quick and reliable, with good eye detection, and the lens handles well on smaller bodies like the Z30. Some users noted the minimum focus distance is a bit limiting and the build feels plasticky, but overall it offers outstanding value for money.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness
- Creamy bokeh
- Fast and reliable autofocus
- Great value for money
- Compact and lightweight
Cons
- Plasticky build feel
- Limited minimum focus distance
- No image stabilization
- Some chromatic aberration wide open
- Vignetting at wide apertures
Scores
Specifications
| Sigma APO 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro | Meike 85mm F1.4 II 85mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | telephoto | telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 70 mm | 85 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 300 mm | 85 mm |
| Elements | 14 | 5 |
| Groups | 10 | 8 |
| Aspherical Elements | — | 1★ |
| ED Elements | 3★ | 2 |
| Coating | Multi-layer lens coating | Multi-layer coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/1.4 |
| Min Aperture | 4-5.6 | f/1.4 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 | 11★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF | L-Mount |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.55 kg★ | 0.91 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 77 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | STM★ |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 950 mm | 85 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:2★ | — |
Pros & Cons
Sigma APO 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro
- Strong versatility (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong bokeh (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
- Strong social proof (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Strong stabilization (79th percentile)
Meike 85mm F1.4 II 85mm
- Strong bokeh (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong aperture (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong macro (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
Pricing
Sigma APO 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro offers 1.4x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 88 overall, wins 7 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 21 specs.
