Sigma Art 85mm f/1.4 DG DN
Its optical design, featuring 5 SLD elements and 1 aspherical element, delivers exceptional sharpness and contrast even at f/1.4, while the 11-blade diaphragm renders smooth, circular bokeh. The weather-sealed, 630g build is notably compact for a full-frame 85mm f/1.4, making it a practical choice for extended handheld use. This lens is best for portrait photographers and event shooters on Sony E-mount who need uncompromising subject isolation and robust build quality.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art is a portrait monster with a perfect 100/100 portrait score and bokeh in the 98th percentile. The f/1.4 aperture delivers stunning subject isolation and low-light performance. Prices range from $830 to $1,369, so shop around for the best deal. If portraits are your thing, this is one of the best values on Sony E-mount.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Perfect 100/100 portrait score in our database 98th
- Bokeh quality in the 98th percentile, creamy and circular thanks to 11 aperture blades 97th
- f/1.4 aperture in the 97th percentile for excellent low-light performance 96th
- Weather-sealed build with premium Art series construction 94th
- Includes a full accessory bundle with filters, cleaning kit, and more
Cons
- No optical stabilization, and the stabilization score sits in the 36th percentile
- Autofocus is just average at the 54th percentile
- Versatility is limited at the 34th percentile, this is a specialist lens
- Travel score of 53.8 out of 100 means it's not ideal for lightweight kits
- 630g weight feels substantial for a mirrorless prime
What owners think
The Word on the Street
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
- Q2 202650/100
Reviews are mixed: one buyer loves the lens for events, another returned it due to severe pincushion distortion when photographing artwork.
- Excellent for events and weddings, a top purchase.
- Significant pincushion distortion, especially for artwork.
- Lens quality varies; past Sigma 85mm users may find issues.
- Q4 2025100/100
Buyers praise the lens for exceptional sharpness, fast autofocus, and beautiful bokeh. It is a favorite for portraits, low light, and street photography, even for non-primary use.
- Sharp image quality and fast autofocus consistently praised.
- Beautiful bokeh and color rendering for portraits and low light.
- Highly versatile for street photography and outdoor use.
- One user considered selling but kept it despite infrequent use.
- Q2 202467/100
One buyer loves the lens for photography; two verified buyers praise sharpness and color but note lack of VR, with one still glad they purchased it.
- Great sharpness, color, and portrait use
- No VR is a wish, but wide aperture compensates
- Transforms photography experience
- Q3 2022100/100
Buyers in Q3 2022 praise this lens for its stunning image quality, compact size, fast autofocus, and excellent value. The hype is real.
- Excellent image quality, sharpness, and bokeh
- Compact and lightweight for a 1.4 aperture lens
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Great value for the price, best bang for your buck
- Q2 202288/100
Buyers praised the lens for its sharpness, bokeh quality, compact size, and suitability for night sky and event photography.
- Exceptional sharpness and image clarity.
- Beautiful bokeh and smooth look.
- Autofocus a bit slow on some cameras.
- Compact and lightweight design.
- Q1 202284/100
Buyers praised excellent image quality, sharpness, and compact size. One user noted inconsistent focus hunting on a Leica SL2-s in low light.
- Image quality consistently described as beautiful, sharp, and crisp.
- Size and weight praised as compact and well-balanced for portability.
- Autofocus unreliable in low light on contrast-detect cameras, but fast on phase-detect.
- Build quality and included accessories like filters well received.
- Q4 2021100/100
Reviewers praised the lens for sharpness, fast autofocus, and portrait quality; minor issues include purple fringing and weight.
- Exceptional sharpness and image quality across multiple camera systems.
- Fast and accurate autofocus, great for portraits.
- Heavy and large build but solid; known from reviews.
- Some purple fringing in high-contrast edges noted.
- Q3 2021100/100
All reviews praise this lens as outstanding for portrait photography, with sharpness, fast autofocus, and customizable functions via the Sigma dock.
- Excels as a professional portrait lens with excellent image quality.
- Sharp and super fast autofocus performance.
- Customizable focus tuning and functions via Sigma dock appreciated.
- Perfect in every way with super fast shipping.
- Q2 202197/100
Buyers consistently praise exceptional sharpness, fast AF, and lighter build over rivals. Very high satisfaction with portrait and low-light performance.
- Exceptional sharpness wide open and stopped down across reviews.
- Fast, quiet autofocus and lighter weight than Sony 85 GM.
- Ideal for portraits, headshots, and low light with superb bokeh.
- Easy purchase and fast shipping praised by buyers.
- Q1 202196/100
Buyers in Q1 2021 praised the lens for superb image quality, sharpness, and beautiful bokeh, calling it one of the best mirrorless lenses. A few noted weight and lack of image stabilization as minor drawbacks.
- Exceptional image quality, sharpness, and bokeh for portraits.
- Solid build quality, sleek design, and included accessories.
- Heavier than expected but still manageable for practical use.
- No image stabilization; ordering issues for one reviewer.
- Q4 202097/100
Buyers in Q4 2020 praise sharpness, fast autofocus, compact size, and creamy bokeh. One notes minor distortion fixable in post.
- Sharpness wide open and excellent for portraits
- Fast and accurate autofocus, even adapters
- Compact and lightweight for an f/1.4 lens
- Minor distortion correctable in post-processing
- Q3 202093/100
Buyers praise this Sigma 85mm F1.4 as exceptionally sharp with fast autofocus, beautiful bokeh, and great value, though some note notable distortion that is easily corrected in post.
- Outstanding sharpness and image quality, often beating competitors even at wide apertures.
- Fast and accurate autofocus suitable for both photos and video in low light.
- Underline distortion visible but considered minor and correctable in editing software.
- Excellent value compared to Sony GM or Canon alternatives, with premium color science.
- Q4 201991/100
Buyers praise the lens for exceptional sharpness and build quality, but note its large size and demanding focus at wide apertures.
- Exceptional sharpness and image quality praised by multiple users.
- Robust build quality feels professional and sturdy.
- Lens is large and heavy; excellent quality but less portable.
- Very shallow depth of field makes precise focus challenging.
- Q2 201997/100
Buyers praised the image sharpness, build quality, and low-light performance. One noted it is heavy but still a favorite for portraits.
- Image sharpness and background blur are outstanding.
- Build quality is metal and feels durable.
- Fast aperture and light capture are excellent.
- Lens is heavy, which some users note.
- Q1 2019100/100
All six reviews are 5-star, praising the lens as extremely sharp, with beautiful bokeh and solid build. Some note it is heavy and lacks a dock.
- Lens is tack sharp and produces razor-sharp images, even wide open.
- Beautiful bokeh, described as dreamy and to die for.
- Excellent for most, but too sharp for some clients, requiring post work.
- Heavy weight and no included dock.
- Q4 2018100/100
Reviews are all positive, praising the lens for its sharpness, image quality, and value. Buyers are impressed and plan to buy more Sigma lenses.
- Exceptional sharpness and image quality
- Great value compared to more expensive brand alternatives
- Excellent for portrait photography with good bokeh
- Smooth purchasing and delivery experience
- Q3 2018100/100
All five reviewers praise this Sigma lens for superb image quality, sharpness, and beautiful bokeh, often comparing it favorably to Nikon equivalents.
- Superb image quality, sharpness, and clarity
- Beautiful bokeh and pleasing out-of-focus transitions
- Favorable comparison to Nikon 85mm f/1.4 and f/1.8
- Great for portraits and low-light photography without flash
- Q2 201896/100
Reviewers universally praise the lens for exceptional sharpness, fast focusing, and portrait value, noting weight and bulk as the primary drawbacks.
- Exceptional sharpness and image quality, often called the best portrait lens.
- Fast autofocus speed compared to Canon 85mm f/1.2, especially in low light.
- Excellent value for price; outperforms more expensive rivals.
- Lens is heavy and bulky, requiring a strong build to handle.
- Q1 201862/100
Buyers praised the lens's image quality and build, but a severe autofocus issue with outer focus points on Nikon D850 and slow AF on Canon were criticized.
- Great image quality, sharpness, and build; love the results.
- Autofocus fails on outer focus points of Nikon D850, not fixable by Sigma.
- Slow autofocus performance on Canon 1D X Mark II.
- Some find it heavy but well crafted; initial results beautiful.
- Q4 2017100/100
Reviewers are ecstatic, calling this the best lens for portraits and praising its bokeh, sharpness, and overall image quality despite its weight.
- Excellent bokeh and sharpness at f/1.4, especially for portraits.
- High build quality consistent with the Sigma Art line.
- Heavy but not a deal breaker for most users.
- Works well with Sony cameras via MC-11 adapter.
- Q3 2017100/100
Buyers praised the Sigma 85mm lens as flawless, sharp, and producing beautiful images, with no negatives reported.
- Lens described as absolutely beautiful, flawless, and produces fabulous images.
- Sharpness is excellent in every way, highly recommended with Canon EOS 5D Mark IV.
- Users feel love for the lens, confirming brand loyalty and quality expectations.
- No negative feedback; one reviewer mentioned no complaints whatsoever.
Based on 163 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Sharpness is where this lens earns its keep. The optical score lands in the 89th percentile, which puts it ahead of most primes we've tested but not quite at the absolute top. The 5 ED elements do serious work controlling chromatic aberration, and the single aspherical element keeps edge-to-edge sharpness respectable even wide open at f/1.4. In real-world terms, you can shoot a portrait at f/1.4 and count eyelashes. The Super Multi-Layer Coating also helps with flare resistance, which matters when you're shooting backlit subjects at golden hour.
Autofocus is a bit of a mixed bag. The AF score sits in the 54th percentile, which is about average for this category. It's not slow, but it's not going to blow you away either. For portrait work, where subjects are typically stationary or moving predictably, it's more than adequate. Eye AF on Sony bodies works well, and the stepping motor is quiet enough for video work. But if you're trying to track a toddler sprinting toward you at f/1.4, you'll miss some shots. The lack of stabilization is another consideration. The stabilization score is in the 36th percentile, which means you'll want to keep your shutter speed up or rely on your camera body's IBIS if you have it.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Prime |
| Focal Length Min | 85 |
| Focal Length Max | 85 |
| Elements | 15 |
| Groups | 11 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 |
| ED Elements | 5 |
| Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Min Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11 |
Build
| Mount | Sony E |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 kg / 1.4 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 77 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 85 |
| Max Magnification | 1:8 |
vs Competition
The obvious comparison is the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM. Sony's lens is lighter on paper and has slightly faster autofocus, but it costs more and doesn't beat the Sigma on sharpness. If you're already deep in the Sony ecosystem and money isn't a concern, the GM is a fine choice. But for most people, the Sigma gets you 95% of the way there for less cash. The Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 is a completely different beast, it's a zoom with a slower aperture, so it can't match the subject isolation or low-light performance. But it's far more versatile if you need one lens for everything.
If you're considering the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM or the Nikon Z 17-28mm f/2.8, you're looking at zooms that prioritize flexibility over pure portrait performance. They're better travel companions and more practical for event work where you can't move freely. But none of them touch the Sigma's bokeh quality or f/1.4 light gathering. The Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 is a Micro Four Thirds lens, so it's not even in the same conversation for full-frame shooters. The takeaway: if portraits are your priority, the Sigma wins. If you need flexibility, look at a zoom.
| Spec | Sigma Art 85mm f/1.4 DG DN | Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD | Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 XF | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 85mm | 17-70mm | 35mm | 12-35mm | 17-28mm | 18-135mm |
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 | f/2.8 | f/1.7 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E | Fujifilm X | Micro Four Thirds | Nikon Z | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | false | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | false | true | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 630 | 544 | 180 | 306 | 450 | 326 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | RXD | STM (Stepping Motor) | Autofocus | Stepping Motor | Linear motor |
| Lens Type | prime | zoom | prime | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma Art 85mm f/1.4 DG DN | 53.8 | 98.3 | 61.3 | 94.1 | 88.9 | 97.1 | 33.6 | 96.1 | 36.1 |
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Compare | 53.8 | 89 | 67.3 | 85.5 | 90.3 | 86.3 | 89.6 | 85.5 | 81.3 |
| Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 XF Compare | 85.5 | 95.7 | 86.7 | 97.2 | 65.2 | 95.3 | 33.6 | 85.5 | 81.3 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 53.8 | 84.4 | 84.6 | 50 | 85.7 | 86.3 | 80.6 | 85.5 | 96.6 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare | 85.5 | 89 | 74.2 | 85.5 | 87.5 | 86.3 | 67.9 | 67.5 | 36.1 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 97.7 | 78.5 | 71.5 | 39.2 | 77.6 | 80.2 | 95.9 | 89.9 | 81.3 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Here's where things get interesting. The USD pricing across 23 listings spans from $830 to $1,369. That's a $539 spread, which is wild for the same lens. The variance comes down to bundle inclusions and seller markup. If you're seeing this lens at the low end of that range, it's an absolute steal. At the high end, you're paying for convenience or bundled accessories you might not need. Our advice: shop around. The lens itself is identical regardless of which listing you buy from.
Compared to Sony's own 85mm f/1.4 GM, which typically sells for significantly more, the Sigma delivers nearly identical optical performance for less money. You give up a bit of autofocus speed and native brand integration, but for most portrait photographers, that's a trade worth making. The bundle included here adds filters and cleaning accessories, which is nice, but don't let that inflate the perceived value too much. The lens is the star of the show.
Newegg 7 offers From $830
Amazon 1 offer From $850
Best Buy 2 offers From $940
B&H Photo 10 offers From $1,080
Adorama 3 offers From $1,319
Price History
Read more
Overview
The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art is one of those lenses that makes you wonder why you'd ever spend more. It's a full-frame portrait prime built for Sony E-mount mirrorless bodies, and it lands in our database with a portrait score of 100 out of 100. That's not a typo. For the kind of work this lens is designed for, it's basically flawless. The f/1.4 aperture sits in the 97th percentile for light gathering, and the bokeh quality ranks in the 98th percentile. If you shoot weddings, studio portraits, or events where subject isolation matters, this thing is a cheat code.
What makes it interesting is the price-to-performance story. Sigma's Art line has always been about chasing optical perfection without the first-party price tag, and this 85mm continues that tradition. You get 15 elements in 11 groups, including 5 ED elements and 1 aspherical element, all wrapped in a weather-sealed body that weighs 630g. The 11-blade diaphragm helps produce that creamy, circular bokeh everyone obsesses over. And unlike some budget-friendly portrait lenses, this one doesn't feel like a compromise in the hand.
But it's not a do-everything lens. The versatility score sits in the 34th percentile, and travel use lands at a mediocre 53.8 out of 100. That's the trade-off. You're buying a specialist, not a generalist. If you need one lens for landscapes, street, and portraits, this isn't it. If you want the best portrait prime your money can buy without selling a kidney, keep reading.
Common Questions
Q: Is this lens weather sealed?
Yes, the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art features weather sealing to protect against dust and moisture. This makes it suitable for outdoor portrait sessions and event work in less-than-ideal conditions. Just remember that weather sealing doesn't mean waterproof, so don't dunk it in a lake.
Q: Does this lens have image stabilization?
No, this lens does not have optical stabilization. The stabilization score sits in the 36th percentile, which is below average for this category. If you're shooting on a Sony body with IBIS, you'll get some stabilization from the camera. Otherwise, keep your shutter speed at 1/125 or faster for sharp handheld shots at 85mm.
Q: How does this compare to the Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM?
The Sigma matches or beats the Sony GM on sharpness and bokeh quality while typically costing less. The Sony has slightly faster autofocus and better native integration with Sony bodies. For most portrait photographers, the Sigma is the better value. The optical score in the 89th percentile puts it ahead of most primes we've tested.
Q: Is this lens good for video?
It can work for video, but it's not ideal. The stepping motor autofocus is quiet, which is good, but the lack of stabilization means handheld footage will be shaky unless your camera body has IBIS. The 630g weight also makes it less comfortable for long gimbal sessions. For video, a stabilized zoom might serve you better.
Who Should Skip This
If you're a travel photographer or someone who wants one lens that does everything, skip this. The travel score of 53.8 out of 100 and versatility in the 34th percentile tell the story. This is a specialist lens that excels at portraits and not much else. At 630g, it's not light, and the lack of stabilization makes it less appealing for handheld video or low-light shooting without a tripod. Look at something like the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 or a stabilized zoom instead.
Video shooters should also think twice. The autofocus is quiet but not fast enough for demanding tracking shots, and the missing stabilization is a real limitation. If you need an 85mm for video, consider a lens with optical stabilization or plan to use a gimbal. For everyone else, especially portrait and wedding photographers, this lens is hard to beat.
Verdict
For portrait photographers, wedding shooters, and anyone who lives at 85mm, this lens is an easy recommendation. The 100/100 portrait score isn't marketing fluff, it reflects real-world performance that matches or beats lenses costing hundreds more. The f/1.4 aperture gives you that dreamy background separation, and the bokeh quality is genuinely stunning. If you shoot Sony E-mount and want the best portrait prime without paying first-party prices, buy this lens and don't look back.
For everyone else, think carefully about what you actually shoot. If you need a travel lens, a walkaround zoom, or something for video with stabilization, this isn't your lens. The 630g weight and lack of stabilization make it less appealing for handheld video or long travel days. But if you're building a portrait kit or adding a dedicated 85mm to your bag, the Sigma Art 85mm f/1.4 DG DN is one of the best values in photography right now.
