When it comes to photography, the lens is one of the most important pieces of equipment you can own. Different lenses offer different features and benefits, and it can be difficult to decide which lens is right for you. In this article, we will compare sigma lenses and Sony lenses and help you decide which one is right for you. We’ll cover everything from pricing to specifications, so that you can make an informed decision about which lens is best for your needs!
Sigma Lenses Overview
The company was founded in 1961. Sigma produces its own line of digital SLR cameras, which it began selling in the 2000s. In addition to that, Sigma offers a wide range of products, from entry-level to high-end professional lenses. Sigma lenses are available for most popular camera mounts, including Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, and Olympus.
The thing Sigma is known for the most, are their prices. In general, Sigma lenses are much cheaper than the competition, yet offer similar or even better performance.
One of the most common questions people ask is why Sigma lenses are so much cheaper than Sony lenses. And while there are a few different factors at play, the simple answer is that Sigma can afford to price their lenses lower because they don’t have the same research and development costs as Sony.
Sigma manufacturing process is much cheaper since they use a simplified design with fewer parts. While the materials used in the manufacturing process are by no means bad, they are not on the same level as what you’d find in a Sony lens. For instance, Sigma lenses often use plastic mounts instead of metal. Sigma lenses will also have a lower resolution and a narrower aperture.
This doesn’t mean that Sigma lenses are inferior to Sony lenses. In fact, many professional photographers prefer Sigma lenses because of their excellent image quality and build quality. [1], [2]
Sony Lenses Overview
The company owns the largest music entertainment business in the world, the Sony Music Entertainment, and one of the largest film studios in the world, Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Sony has been in the lens game for a long time. The company offers a wide variety of lenses, ranging from entry-level to professional. Sony lenses are known for their excellent image quality and build quality.
This however, comes at a price. In general, Sony lenses are much more expensive than Sigma lenses. There are a few reasons that Sony lenses tend to be more expensive than Sigma lenses. First, Sony is a much larger company than Sigma, so they can afford to charge more for their products. Second, all Sony lenses are designed and manufactured in-house by Sony, with a focus on quality control. This means that each lens must meet Sony’s high standards for sharpness, contrast, and color reproduction. In addition, all Sony lenses are compatible with the latest camera bodies and feature a wide variety of technologies to improve image quality.
The materials used in Sony lenses are also carefully selected to ensure the best possible image quality. For example, Sony’s G Master series lenses use a special type of glass that is designed to reduce chromatic aberration. [1]
Comparison of Sony and Sigma Lenses
No matter what kind of photographer you are, the lens you use matters. The type of lens can mean the difference between a sharp, clear photo and a blurry mess. And while there are many different brands of lenses out there, in this article we’ll be focusing on two in particular: Sigma lenses and Sony lenses.
But why compare these two brands specifically? Well, they’re both popular choices among photographers, and they each have their own unique benefits. So if you’re wondering which one is right for you, read on! In this section, we’ll be breaking down the differences between Sigma and Sony lenses so that you can make an informed decision.
Of course since both brands have a variety of lenses, it’s impossible to compare every single one. For this reason, you may want to take this comparison with a grain of salt and do your own research before making a purchase. With that being said, let’s get started!
Design and build quality
When it comes to lenses, one of the first things you’ll want to consider is design and build quality. After all, a lens is a significant investment, and you’ll want something that’s built to last.
In terms of design, both Sigma and Sony lenses are typically sleek and modern-looking. However, Sigma lenses tend to be a bit bulkier than Sony lenses. They are longer and weigh more, which can be a downside if you’re looking for a lens that’s easy to carry around.
Sony prioritizes portability in their lenses, and it shows. Their lenses are designed to be lightweight and compact, without sacrificing image quality. So if you’re looking for a lens that won’t weigh you down, Sony is the way to go. However, as we mentioned before the design depends on the particular lens you’re looking at, there definitely are some compact Sigma lenses available.
When it comes to controls, both Sigma and Sony lenses have a variety of buttons and dials that give you easy access to the most important functions. Aperture ring on both cameras can be set to a specific f-stop or left to turn freely.
However, Sigma lenses tend to have more external controls than Sony lenses. This can be either a pro or a con, depending on your preferences.
One thing Sigma includes in their lenses that Sony usually does not, is an aperture locking switch. This switch allows you to lock the aperture at a certain setting, which can be helpful if you want to avoid accidentally changing it.
In terms of build quality, both brands use high-quality materials in their lenses. Sigma lenses are made with thermally stable composite (TSC) material, while Sony lenses are made with aluminum-alloy barrels.
Both brands offer weather-sealed lenses, which is important if you plan on doing any shooting in inclement weather. So if you are considering a lens for outdoor photography, Sigma and Sony are both good choices. [1], [3], [4]
Image quality
Obviously, the quality of your images is important. After all, what’s the point of taking a photo if it’s going to be blurry or low-res? When it comes to image quality, both Sigma and Sony lenses are excellent choices. There are three factors we will discuss here: distortion, bokeh, chromatic aberration and autofocus.
Lens distortion compensation
One of the most important factors in image quality is lens distortion compensation (LDC). This is a measure of how well a lens can correct for the distortions that occur when taking a photo.
Distortion can happen for a variety of reasons, but it usually has to do with the shape of the lens. For example, if you’re using a wide-angle lens, you’re more likely to get barrel distortion. On the other hand, if you’re using a telephoto lens, you might get pincushion distortion.
Both Sigma and Sony lenses are very good at correcting for these kinds of distortions. However, we noticed that Sigma has a slight barrel distortion, while Sony’s lens is completely free of it. In terms of pincushion distortion, both lenses perform equally well. Barrel distortion is a type of optical aberration that causes straight lines to appear curved. It is most commonly seen in photographs with wide-angle lenses. Barrel distortion is caused by the way light rays are bent when they pass through the lens. The farther away from the center of the lens, the more pronounced the effect will be. Luckily, barrel distortion can be easily corrected in post-processing, so it’s not a huge issue.
So overall, we would say that Sigma and Sony lenses are about equal when it comes to lens distortion compensation. [3], [4], [5]
Sharpness
One of the most important factors in choosing a lens is sharpness. Simply put, the sharper the image, the better. All lenses will lose some sharpness due to diffraction as you stop down, but some lenses are designed to be sharper than others.
When it comes to sharpness, both Sigma and Sony lenses are great. In general, you’ll be able to get crisp, clear images with either brand. However, there is one difference between both lenses. At extreme edges, Sony’s lenses tend to be a bit sharper than Sigma’s.
This means that if you’re looking to take photos with a lot of detail, Sony might be the way to go. Sigma however, beats Sony when it comes to sharpness in the center of the image. These differences are usually only noticeable if you’re looking at the photo very closely. This can be a positive or negative depending on your needs. For most people, Sigma’s lenses will be more than sharp enough. Otherwise, the difference is minimal. [3], [4], [5], [6]
Bokeh
It’s often used to make the subject stand out more, and it can be achieved with both Sigma and Sony lenses.
However, some photographers prefer Sigma lenses for bokeh because they tend to produce softer, more dream-like images. On the other hand, Sony lenses often create sharper photos with less blur. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and what you’re trying to achieve with your photos. [3], [4], [5]
Autofocus performance
We found that neither Sigma nor Sony particularly excel in this department. In our experience, both brands had a tendency to hunt for focus, especially in low light conditions.
And while both brands offer fast and accurate autofocus, Sony’s autofocus system is generally considered to be better.
Autofocus in Sony lenses is also generally faster than in Sigma lenses. So if you’re looking for a lens that will focus quickly and accurately, Sony might be the better option. [1], [3], [6]
Chromatic aberration
This results in a “fringing” effect, which can be seen as either blue or red lines around the edges of objects. Both Sigma and Sony lenses are very good at correcting for chromatic aberration. However, we did notice that Sigma’s lenses tend to produce less fringing than Sony’s. This difference is most noticeable at the edges of the frame, where chromatic aberration is most common. It also can be visible as purple or green edges around objects, particularly when shooting against a bright background. While this effect can be corrected in post-processing, it’s something to keep in mind if you’re looking for lenses that will produce high-quality images straight out of the camera. [6]
Price
By far, the biggest difference between Sigma and Sony lenses is the price. Sigma lenses are typically much cheaper than Sony lenses, which can be a major deciding factor for many photographers.
For example, Sony lenses will typically cost you around $1,800. Sigma lenses, on the other hand, will only set you back about $1,200. That’s a pretty big difference!
So if you’re on a budget, Sigma lenses are probably the way to go. However, it’s important to keep in mind that you usually get what you pay for. In other words, cheaper lenses tend to have lower image quality than more expensive ones. So if you’re looking for top-notch performance, you’ll probably have to spend a bit more money.
Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule. From what we saw, Sigma lenses perform nearly as well as a Sony lens, so if you aren’t nitpicky, you might want to save $600 and go with a solid cheaper option. [3], [4]
FAQ
What does contemporary mean in Sigma lens?
Contemporary Sigma lenses are designed for today’s digital camera sensors. They offer fast autofocusing, great optical quality and compact designs. Many contemporary lenses also feature Sigma’s Global Vision technologies like FLD and SLD glass elements, which help to produce excellent image quality.
Contemporary lenses have a larger zoom and focus rings for easy manual control. These lenses are targeted more at the general consumer and photo enthusiast, who wants a great all-round lens that’s easy to use.
Are Sony lenses better than Sigma?
This is a difficult question to answer. It depends on what you are looking for in a lens. Sigma lenses tend to be more affordable than Sony lenses. However, Sony lenses offer better image quality and autofocus performance.
Sigma has a wide selection of lenses just like Sony Sony. Sigma also offers more specialized lenses, such as macro and fisheye lenses. If you are looking for a specific type of lens, Sigma is likely to have it.
Sony cameras tend to be compatible with a wider range of lenses, including those from other manufacturers. If you want to use third-party or vintage lenses with your camera, Sony is probably the better option.
Does Sigma make Sony lenses?
Sigma does not make lenses for the Sony E-mount system. However, they have a great selection of Canon, Nikon, and Sigma mount lenses that can be adapted to fit Sony cameras using readily available adapters.
What is the difference between a Sigma lens and a normal lens?
The biggest difference between a Sigma lens and a normal lens is the price. Sigma lenses are typically much cheaper than name brand lenses, but don’t let that fool you. Sigma makes great quality lenses that rival or even exceed the performance of more expensive options.
Another difference is that Sigma offers more unique focal lengths and specialty lenses than most brands. For example, their popular Art line features some interesting wide angle primes and ultra-wide zooms that aren’t available from other manufacturers.
Should I buy a Sigma lens?
This is a difficult question to answer. It depends on many factors, such as your budget, what type of photography you do, and what lenses you already have. Sigma makes some great lenses, but they are not for everyone. If you are a professional photographer or serious amateur, then Sigma may be a good option for you. However, if you are just starting out in photography, or if you don’t have a lot of money to spend on lenses, then Sony may be a better option.
Useful Video: SIGMA ART LENS vs SONY G MASTER LENS | Which Lenses Should You Get??
Conclusion
This concludes our comprehensive guide to the differences between Sigma and Sony lenses. Both brands offer great lenses with a variety of features to suit your needs. It really comes down to personal preference in the end. However, Sony has a slight upper hand compared to Sigma, especially in the autofocus and build quality department. For example, Sony lenses tend to be sharper in the edges of the frame, while Sigma lenses often perform better in the center. This is something to consider when choosing a lens for your needs. That doesn’t mean Sigma lenses are bad by any means, they are actually pretty close in performance to Sony’s high-end lenses. One downside of Sony products is obviously their price. So, if you’re on a budget and looking for a good bang for the buck, then Sigma is definitely the way to go. As always, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to us. We’d love to hear from you.
References
- https://www.focuscamera.com/wavelength/sigma-85mm-f1-4-art-vs-sony-85mm-f1-4-gm-lens-comparison/
- https://infphoto.com/why-sigma-lenses-cheaper/
- https://petapixel.com/2021/06/15/sigma-versus-sony-which-e-mount-35mm-f-1-4-lens-is-better/
- https://www.thephoblographer.com/2020/09/22/sony-vs-sigma-comparison-battle-of-the-85mm-f1-4-lenses/
- https://fstoppers.com/reviews/35mm-showdown-canon-canon-l-and-sigma-comparison-3665
- https://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sigma-vs-sony-gm-review-sigma-indeed-matches-the-sony-gm-performance/