So you’ve just decided that you want to buy a 50mm prime for your mirrorless camera. But the question now is which one, and that’s a tough decision because there are lots out there. Meanwhile, the Sigma has two 50-millimeter mirrorless primes in its range. You may think which is the best lens for low light photography? Here they are: the first one is the SIGMA 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art and the second one is the SIGMA 50mm F2 DG DN Contemporary. So, checking out the in-depth head-to-head of the SIGMA 50mm F1.4 Art vs. the SIGMA 50mm F2 Contemporary is really important.
In this comprehensive comparison guide, we’ll break down the differences in build, image quality, features, and performance of the SIGMA 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art vs the SIGMA 50mm F2 DG DN Contemporary. Furthermore, we will also guide you to the best marketplace to visit to buy the camera lens in Pakistan. Let’s read more to have a full understanding.
Build and Design—SIGMA 50mm F1.4 Art vs. SIGMA 50mm F2 Contemporary.
The SIGMA 50mm F1.4 Art is larger and heavier, mainly due to its wider aperture. It features a premium mix of metal and thermally stable composite materials. Key design highlights include
- Weight around 660g to 880g
- A customizable AFL button
- De-clickable and lockable aperture ring
- The grippy manual focus ring
- Lockable lens hood
In contrast, the SIGMA 50mm F2 Contemporary boasts a fully metal construction, including the aperture ring, focus ring, and lens hood—offering a stylish, retro feel. It lacks the de-click switch, aperture lock, and AFL button but includes
- Easy to carry with weight only 345g
- A magnetic metal lens cap (along with the standard one)
- A more compact and lightweight profile
Image Quality—SIGMA 50mm F1.4 Art vs SIGMA 50mm F2 Contemporary
Sigma lens manufacturers use special Low-Dispersion (SLD, FLD, ELD) glass elements. The use of these glass materials cause the different colors of light to bend much more similarly. At f/8, both lenses produce images with outstanding sharpness, minimal chromatic aberration, and accurate colors. So there will be very few unwanted colored edges in the photos that are not visible with naked eyes. Both of these lenses avoid fringes of color, like purple or green, around bright objects. Even at this pixel-peeping level, there is no clear winner—they are neck and neck in image quality.
Wide Aperture Performance—SIGMA 50mm F1.4 Art vs SIGMA 50mm F2 Contemporary
To test the lenses wide open, both were compared by image sharpness and clarity. F1.4 has a wider opening as compared to F2 and it lets in more light. Whereas, F2 has a slightly smaller opening that allows in less light. With F1.4, your pictures will be brighter in low-light situations (at night) because more light reaches the camera sensor. But, the F2 lens shows marginally more detail at the center crop, but this isn’t a direct comparison. However, we do not underestimate the quality of 50mm F2. Both handle wide apertures well, but the Art lens’s extra stop gives it more creative flexibility.
Bokeh and Depth of Field—SIGMA 50mm F1.4 Art vs SIGMA 50mm F2 Contemporary
At f/1.4, the SIGMA 50mm F1.4 Art delivers a significantly shallower depth of field than the F2 Contemporary. The SIGMA 50mm F1.4 Art sharply focuses only a very small part of your picture. And everything else, including the background, will look soft and blurry. This makes the main subject stand out clearly from its surroundings. In other words, background blur is smoother, and the separation between the subject and background is more dramatic. So, if creamy bokeh is essential to your style, the Art lens is the better choice. Imagine you are shooting the scenes of a dinner party with dim lighting, then you would definitely favor the SIGMA 50mm F1.4 Art lens. But the SIGMA 50mm F2 Contemporary only gives the best results in capturing photos of bright light and you still get excellent image quality.
Autofocus Speed—SIGMA 50mm F1.4 Art vs SIGMA 50mm F2 Contemporary
A real-world autofocus test revealed:
The Contemporary lens acquired focus slightly faster (by four 1/100ths of a second) due to stepping motors. On the other hand, the Art camera optics such as f1.4 50mm has impressive speed due to its newer HLA motor. The Art lens, despite its larger, heavier elements, kept up impressively thanks to its newer HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) motor. In practice, both lenses are extremely fast and the speed difference is negligible. In short, the negligible autofocus speed difference between the SIGMA 50mm F1.4 Art and the F2 Contemporary will not affect your ability to capture sharp photographs. Therefore, you can trust both to perform well in terms of focus speed.
Flare Control—SIGMA 50mm F1.4 Art vs SIGMA 50mm F2 Contemporary
Natural situations like bursts of light or flame shines directly into your camera lens. The flare control is how well it handles unwanted light. When the sunlight shines directly into an optical system of the cameras, it may produce blurry spots or a hazy look in your photo. This is known as flare. But the Super Multi-Layer Coating in Sigma lenses (especially in the Art line and Contemporary) reduces light scattering. Both 50mm F1.4 and 50mm F2 performed excellently, with minimal loss of contrast and detail. Yet, the contemporary lens showed a slightly smaller flare artifact, offering a tiny edge. Both are well-coated and engineered to minimize flare, thanks to Sigma’s advanced optical technologies.
Portability and Practical Use—SIGMA 50mm F1.4 Art vs SIGMA 50mm F2 Contemporary
The F2 Contemporary is much more portable, making it a better option for travel, street, or everyday shooting where weight and space matter. When you’re walking around all day exploring a new city (travel), every gram and inch matters. A lighter, smaller lens prevents the strain on your neck and shoulders. So, you’re more likely to keep it attached to your camera and ready to shoot. The F1.4 Art, while larger, offers more control and low-light capability, making it ideal for portraits and professional setups.
Value and Price—SIGMA 50mm F1.4 Art vs SIGMA 50mm F2 Contemporary
The Contemporary is the more budget-friendly of the two but doesn’t compromise on quality. It costs you less because it uses less glass elements than the Art line. While the Contemporary lenses use high-quality glass ( such as SLD elements), they do not use expensive elements as the Art line. So more materials (glass, metal for the barrel) causes higher production costs in 50mm F1.4. Also, the Art lens uses a more powerful HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) motor which adds to the manufacturing cost. The Contemporary lens offers a fantastic balance of performance and money, making it an accessible option without significant compromise. Whereas, the Art lens, while priced higher promises to give better low-light and bokeh performance.
Summary—SIGMA 50mm F1.4 Art vs SIGMA 50mm F2 Contemporary
So, which lens should you buy? Choose the SIGMA 50mm F1.4 Art if you need ultra-shallow depth of field and low-light performance. Also, you should prefer buying the SIGMA 50mm F1.4 Art if you need to have advanced controls (de-clicked aperture, AFL button). On the other hand, always prefer the SIGMA 50mm F2 Contemporary if you want a stylish and metal-built lens. Also, if you need great image quality in a smaller package, then the 50mm F2 Contemporary is a must-have.
So, in the battle of SIGMA 50mm F1.4 Art vs. SIGMA 50mm F2 Contemporary, there is no bad choice—only the best choice for your needs.
Where To Buy SIGMA 50mm F1.4 Art or 50mm F2 Contemporary in Pakistan
If you’re planning to purchase SIGMA lenses in Pakistan, the most trusted and reliable options are Sigma Pakistan Official Website & Hope Enterprises Here’s why it stands out as the best place to shop:
- Official Warranty—Enjoy peace of mind with genuine warranty coverage.
- Authentic Products—100% original SIGMA lenses, directly from the source.
- Latest Models—Access to the most recent and updated lens releases.
- Nationwide Shipping—Fast and secure delivery all over Pakistan.
Expert Assistance—Get support and advice from certified SIGMA specialists.
FAQs
Sigma Art prioritizes optical performance; conversely, Contemporary balances performance with portability. Moreover, Art often has wider apertures and robust builds for demanding professional use.
Yes, the Sigma 50mm F2 Contemporary suits professional application, particularly when portability and excellent optical quality in a smaller form factor are desired. Furthermore, its bright aperture and sharp optics make it versatile for various professional applications.
Indeed, both Sigma Art and Contemporary offer DG DN versions specifically designed for various mirrorless mounts. Consequently, compatibility depends on selecting the correct mount for your specific mirrorless system.
Yes, both Sigma Art and Contemporary can be employed for recording purposes. For example, their wide apertures, smooth autofocus, and build quality are beneficial for creation.
