Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 50mm
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
What Buyers Say
Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 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
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
The Panasonic 8-18mm f/2.8-4 lens is highly praised for its excellent image quality, sharpness, and build. Users appreciate its compact size, light weight, and the ability to use screw-on filters, which is a key advantage over some competitors. While a few users noted it is pricey and one had sharpness issues on an Olympus body, the overwhelming majority recommend it for landscapes, interiors, and travel photography.
Pros
- Excellent image quality
- Sharp and crisp
- Compact and lightweight
- Accepts screw-on filters
- Weather-sealed
Cons
- Pricey
- Variable aperture
- No OIS
- Sharpness issues on some Olympus bodies
- Slight distortion at 8mm
Scores
Specifications
| Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 50mm | Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | prime | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 50 mm | 8 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 50 mm | 18 mm |
| Elements | 14 | 15 |
| Groups | 11 | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3 | 4★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 3★ |
| Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating | Nano Surface Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/16 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/1.4 | 2.8-4 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | full-frame★ | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.81 kg | 0.31 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 77 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | HSM | 240-fps autofocus drive |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 400 mm | 230 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:6.8★ | 0.12x |
Pros & Cons
Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 50mm
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong optical (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
- Strong optical (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong aperture (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong bokeh (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong build (84th percentile)84th %ile
Pricing
Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 50mm offers 2.0x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 21 specs.
