Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN 'Art' lens reviews

All pictures taken by me on Sony a5100 and Sony a7R III cameras.
Find it here (Amazon affiliate link - thanks for your support!):
geni.us/Sigma5012
Support me on Patreon! / christopherfrost
Equipment I use to make my videos (Amazon affiliate links):
Canon EOS R5: geni.us/CanonEOSR5Body
Canon EF-RF Adaptor: geni.us/CanonEFtoRF
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 'Art': geni.us/Sigma50mm14Art
Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM: geni.us/CanonRF35mm18Macro
Marumi Fit and Slim CPL Filter: geni.us/MarumiFitSlim77
AudioTechnica AT2020USB+ Microphone: geni.us/AT2020USBPlusMic Rode Smartlav+
Microphone: geni.us/RodeSmartLavalierPlus
Rode SC3 adapter: geni.us/RodeSC3MicAdaptor
Zoom H1n Recorder: geni.us/ZoomH1nMiniRecorder
DJI Mini 2 Drone: geni.us/DJIMini2FlyMore
Music: 'Opportunity Walks', Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

[@BlendyStick]

It’s really nice to see Frosty getting front row seats on all the new releases. He may not be big or flashy but he does his homework and has earned a lot of respect for it.

[@jnhkx]

I don't know if it just a "filter bubble effect" or not. But for me he is the best. The only lenses review YT I watch.

[@johnadams3038]

The great thing about his reviews is that they are consistent with all other older reviews he has done and he has good data base of results to compare with

[@antonoat]

Well said!

[@jeffsmith2283]

Canon RF not supporting 3rd party lenses is really starting to piss me off.

[@GungKrisna12]

Canon might say this to people like you: "Did you guys never use first party lenses?"

[@ZXH88]

I was thinking the same thing

[@AufKohleGeboren]

@@GungKrisna12but Canon has to admit that they have no good midrange options, you can only choose between really poor quality lenses or heavily priced lenses for professionals I don’t need as a Hobby photographer.

[@Zenutheduck-to4nr]

Nikon ain't getting this either.

[@lordofthefly]

This is just typical canon. I used to be a 5D user and they would artificially gate features behind price tiers. So happy not to spot canon anymore

[@arildhagen3820]

Love it when Mr.Frost is the top video when searching for the 50mm from Sigma test

[@rem792]

It has a lot to do with what you watch and if you watch his channel a lot, it will be the first. It's how the algorithm works. At least for me he isn't the first result.

[@arildhagen3820]

@@rem792 I work with algorithms so I kinda know how it works. More down to give Frost a shoutout moving closer to front row and a significant person for the brands

[@rem792]

Cool! Absolutely, he deserves it. I love this channel, it's my first stop before I buy any lens.

[@shiltoob]

0:44 bird photography at 50mm is a big flex. Share us your wisdom.

[@hamdankamil955]

I noticed this instantly, I'm like how did he do that? Must've been a friendly bird...

[@jackovskyy1965]

I've photographed a Blue Tit with my 50mm lens on aps-c, by placing my camera on a tripod and using remote shooting with my phone. Olle Nillson made a video where he does the same thing with 85 mm lens.

Robins are incredibly friendly and tame on the whole and many of them will happy come within inches of you. definitely a good bird to photograph!

[@jackovskyy1965]

@ Thanks for sharing with this information, it's very useful and if I see one, then I'll definitely give it a try. I noticed that jackdaws are also quite tame and curious which makes them easy to photograph.

[@cditfurth]

Thank you for your precious help. This is one of the best YT channels about photographie.

[@andgainingspeed]

With so many channel's videos dropping into my notifications when new lenses release, I always go with this one first, because the format is so consistent and it gets right down to the most important performance factors.

[@jakelindsay6251]

This is an incredible feat that Sigma accomplished. Well done. Thanks, Christopher.

[@neilford7338]

Love your reviews Christopher, the consistent tests are so useful!

[@gromenteal2133]

Every time I want to check on new gears I always come to you. My favourite channel indeed and the rest come second.

[@svtcontour]

As a long time channel subscriber, I just want to say I really appreciate all the work you put into your videos. Your content is the best there is IMO. Cheers to you and your dedication!

[@JustinPinedaMedia]

I feel a sense of warmth when Chris says the word "sharp".

[@ikemadethis894]

Love your reviews! You are an asset to the community!

[@kevinsips3658]

Hi Chris, I’ve been really enjoying your videos, please keep up the excellent work!

[@cy9nvs]

I don't know who is to blame, Nikon, Sigma or maybe even Sony, in case there's some sort of exclusivity deal (bit of a conspiracy), but it's a damn shame none of the Sigma FF lenses make it to Z-Mount. In my opinion, these amazing third party lenses are the biggest factor for why someone would choose Sony over Nikon or Canon these days.

[@zball_6396]

Even for Sony you don't get >15fps continuous shooting with sigma lenses, so definitely a camera manufacturer side problem, Nikon is just trying to sell their own lenses.

[@cy9nvs]

@@zball_6396I don't know, mid April Viltrox will announce their new 135mm f/1.8, which will also come to Z-Mount, directly competing with their own "Plena" lens. I actually feel like Sony might have made a deal there with Sigma, contrary to Canon, Nikon seems pretty open to 3rd party lenses, even those, that compete with their own. The Tamron 150-500 being another example.

[@vincentlammert7003]

Absolutely agree with this. Nikon and canon make great cameras and lenses but nothing beats affordable yet amazing quality third party glass. That's why i switched to sony and so have 3 of my friends who asked me about advice on buying a camera. I always recommend sony due to the availability of third party lenses.

[@angelfoto4795]

Sigma's fault. They don't have enough manufacturing capability to make lenses for the Z mount, they are busy with E and L mount. At the moment Sigma only offers APS-C lenses for Nikon.

[@hwirtwirt4500]

@@angelfoto4795 Often wonder what the ratio between L-Mount and E-Mount lenses Sigma sells, It's probably more E-Mount but this is a plus for L-Mount users who benefit by the increased sales volume of Sigma lenses in general.

[@PhilippeDHooghe]

Boy, Chris *_does_* create enough content for me and that is why I feel warm and fuzzy inside 😀. Yep... why Canon is keeping Sigma away from RF. And here again the proof that high pixel APS-C is too demanding on lenses. And I hear rumors the R7 Mark II is going to have even more? It doesn't need more pixels, Canon, it needs *_less noise_* !

[@GungKrisna12]

Imagine if one day Canon decided to launch a campaign to attack third party lenses, or camera makers that allow third party lenses

[@michaeljkeeney]

OMG. My new favorite lens. Thank you!

[@tomdchi12]

Lovely early spring flowers!

[@pseudomichael]

Nice to see The Four Loves! Fantastic book!

[@blazerbarrel2]

Nice review , and looks like a really spectacular lens , sharp , great backgrounds , corrected , well made . Best 50mm so far !

[@Snapit551]

I love it when frost says “ this thing is highly recommended!!

[@ryanbaker2623]

Wake up Canon! Your greed is burning your loyal supporters.

[@lumberjack3008]

My main reason to boycott Canon completely. Arrogant. Monopolistic. Securing their insane pricing policy.

[@Tegneaufreak]

Too late.. already moving.. love Canon, but with all these lenses on Sony I just can’t resist.

[@justinburley8659]

Tbf Canon’s 1.2 is considerably better. But yeah, canon needs to open up to third parties. Not everyone is a professional!

[@dawfurby]

⁠@@justinburley8659No it’s not. Not even close to better. As someone that owns both lenses.

[@EvergardenMedia]

Dude for real

[@kelvinyeoh6963]

This lens is actually really great value for a f1.2 prime lens. Thanks for the review!

[@dfj555]

The new Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN 'Art' lens outperforms this Canon lens. If you're on a high-res home computer monitor, pull up the two Christopher Frost videos side by side, and you'll see that the Sigma lens is sharper.

[@TimLucasdesign]

I will be excited when this is available for Canon RF Mount.

[@jafargio]

Hi Christian. Do you plan to make comparison video of this and GM? also DG DN 1.4? Thanks for this video and your review.

[@mvp_kryptonite]

Well done Sigma, looks to be a great lens.

[@user-wc9ti2hp8o]

How is the AF fast? Other lenses on this channel seem to focus way faster. Also, AF-S (at 2:43) seems to beat AF-C (at 2:54). Huge fan by the way!! Thanks for all the great videos! :)

[@dominic-ryan]

Love the work Sigma is doing here. Not a dud in their new DN line up.

[@danielsolstrand]

Love your channel, bud

[@carbonium1264]

Chris please make updated sharpest 50mm lenses comparison

[@guille_htgn]

Fantastic review as usual Chris! Not sure if I agree with your comments on the bokeh. It does seem rather busy to me, most noticeable in the pictures of flowers?

[@christopherfrost]

Looks good to me! Although of course, it's a subjective thing (which is why I show so many sample pictures - so people can make up their own minds :-)

[@guille_htgn]

@@christopherfrost indeed a subjective matter! Thank you for the great review regardless!

[@alchemist_x79]

I was thinking the same thing. Seemed a little busy to me. I felt the bokeh in Chris' review of the 1.4 DG DN was smoother, but like already has been said, it's all subjective.

[@stkuj]

Sigma absolutely KILLING IT! 🔥🔥🔥

[@zadl8871]

Quick question, without considering AF, would you pick this over the Voigtlander 50mm 1.0? Been wanting that lens for a while and when this came out it made me think twice. As I've said AF is not my number 1 priority for purchasing a 50mm.. Thank you for the great videos. Been watching your work for a while and I'm enjoying what you're doing.

[@russandloz]

Wow, it's almost perfect. From a Nikon 50 1.2 owner I love its size more than anything.

[@johnnyisahermit]

man they HAVE to figure out the RF mount stuff, killing me! hopes are high from the recent news from Canon official

[@anuragjha8962]

Please compare the rf 55-210 mm with the older 55-250 mm efs stm lens, i have seen your individual reviews, but i really need a side by side..it would be better to understand the difference precisely.

[@DigitalInfinity]

What a beuat of a lens. Pretty much anytime I see a new lens release, via news or youtube videos, before even watching others I always check chrises channels first lol

[@frankseophotos9633]

Canon's 50mm options: $199 or $2,299

[@pedrosanzgr]

😂😂😂

[@shawnfoodfever]

thanks for great sharing 😍😍👏👏

[@NoSuRReNDeR001]

I wish you could re-review, if you had the time, the Canon 50mm 1.2 on the R5... I think that would be a great one to re-review since you did on the original R if I recall...?

[@Twobarpsi]

What a great lens!

[@DGTool2k17]

Cris, it would be perfect if You could show us also the center of the frame after stopping down. I know this lens is sharp from 1.2 but seeing the center on 2.0 would be really helpful. Thanks!

[@christopherfrost]

There's no need - when it's already razor sharp it won't get any sharper or softer from then, until you reach f/11 or so and you can see softness from diffraction

[@arghyadipsen2429]

Hope the next one be the DG DN version of the legend 105mm 1.4 from Sigma.

[@hwirtwirt4500]

Sigma has competition from both OEM's and other third party lens manufacturers and has met that challenge with some amazing lenses.

[@drrrw]

Buying the Z mount camera and adapting E mount lens. Appealing flange distance to use sony lens now.

[@Your_Egyptian_Papi]

when are we getting the Fujifilm X100Vi review

[@mofi3641]

why camera corrections on?? you won't see any ca? or loss of sharpeness?

[@nicholassmith7723]

Finally found a 50mm for Sony. I'll wait for that EDU discount from B&H, but it looks like this is the winner for me.

[@TheKimNeeper]

In some images the bokeh looks a bit more busy than what I usually get from my 50mm 1.4 DG DN... Generally it looks like bokeh is better on the 1.4, smoother and more character, which seems odd, could just be the sample photos had challenging backgrounds.

[@dirk.4711]

How is it at F2.0 vs. the Sigma 50/2.0 DG DN?

[@Matt_brskr]

Insanely sharpness at 1.2😮

[@nick201996]

I wish they'd give more lens offerings for full frame nikon z mount

[@Cabunnda]

Damn i want this lens now

[@nukert658]

this lens is brilliant, I really wish sigma would put more of these lenses on fuji x but at least the fuji 56 f1.2 is also brilliant

[@TheKimNeeper]

Hey Chris - would you consider being the first lens / camera KZbinr to start uploading in 8K? Videos not super important, but as long as still images were 8K, then even on a monitor like my LG 5K that would be a huge upgrade, being able to see the images at the 15 Mp resolution the screen has, vs a lossy 8 Mp from YT 4K? Not many on 8K monitors yet, but YT doesn't allow to upload in-between 4K and 8K. Any newer MacBook Pro can edit 8K with a breeze (not sure you're on Mac though) so it's more a question of storage I guess?

[@carlosandreviana9448]

Waiting eagerly for the review of the today's announced nikon 28-400

[@powerlurker]

a truely benchmark 50mm

[@zacx6970]

While having f/1.2 is best for lowlight , I think the f/1.4 version of this lens has much sharper image from center to edges.

[@jsrking28]

I spent like 3 min watching another review that popped up and then I was like. Wait. Why I'm I watching this? Where's Christopher's review? Now I'm happy! By the way. I've spent a week in your wonderful country. Visited London and Edinburgh! 🤩 CHEERS!

[@jeroenvdw]

Love how Sigma now makes light lenses. Huge plus when deciding on which brand to buy. Now I wonder how this lens is on a 61MP camera. Are you planning to ever upgrade your camera?

[@hwirtwirt4500]

Dustin Abbott tested this lens on the A7R5 (61 Megapixel) and A1 (50 Megapixel) and the results were excellent. He did note that diffraction became slightly noticeable at F8 on the A7R5.

[@jeroenvdw]

@@hwirtwirt4500 aight good to know thx

[@danielmartin7674]

can it get any better?

[@tristanholmes4153]

I have a nikkor 50 f1.2 and I almost never shoot it at 1.2. I’ve always been under the umbrella of thinking that you buy a 1.2 for the sharpness it has at 1.4 instead of buying a 1.4 that will be slightly softer. The glass is just a higher quality than a 1.4 will be… generally/theoretically speaking atleast… so glad to see sigma throwing their hat in the ring on this 1.2s now we just need these mirrorless mounts to be released so I don’t have to debate selling my kidney for another lens!!! Thanks for everything Frosty!

[@DerKeineAhnungMan]

this one or 50mm 1.4 GM?

[@MinisterErikMcGregor]

Waiting for your review of Nikon Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR.

[@CartyCantDance]

Need sigma to give the old 35mm f1.2 this treatment. An updated design

[@AndreiDimaReviews]

Excellent image quality for an f1.2 full frame lens. Nice review as always!

[@cyrilhamel8289]

Now we're all waiting for the "big contest": the comparison of all 50mm F/1.2, from Canon, Nikon, Sigma & Sony 😎😬

[@rogerdodger689]

Wow!

[@jianweng5559]

good lens for astro!

[@aFLYER1980]

Been waiting for this lens, be an excellent upgrade to my ZEISS 55mm f1.8

[@daphnedh9086]

Much larger though

[@aFLYER1980]

@daphnedh9086 true, but that goes with any f1.2 And for me, an f1.2 would be great - plus I don't mind the extra size/weight

[@jijdom]

I would use the 55 as a Secondary 50mm lens. In case of traveling or a very long day, you dont wanna carry heavy gear with you.

[@aFLYER1980]

@jijdom honestly, the weight doesn't worry me. I shoot weddings, so I'm always moving gear around. Plus, if the f1.2 can help my images stand out, then that's more than worth the extra

[@jijdom]

@@aFLYER1980 for professional work the f1.2 is definitely a must

[@Riskbreaker2009]

Sigma 85mm f1.2 DG DN Art next?? 😁

[@user-xp5uw8vt3t]

I'm a canon user ... I have been using canon for 10 years but enough is enough 😅 time to switch

[@maggnet4829]

The APSC test shows that the lens will struggle a bit with the 61MP sensor of the A7RV.

[@julianB93]

Is it just me or is this new lens astonishing sharp and clear? Even the edges show no colour fringing or reduced sharpness full open.

[@jimboblaminat]

Nikon just released an interesting lens. A 28-400mm f4-f8. I would love to see a review about it.

[@kwangc6720]

never quite appreciate that f/1.2 and f/1.4 difference! :)

[@ramonarias1234]

WOW lens

[@sayparler]

Oh noooo I want this for RF pleeeease!

[@Your_Egyptian_Papi]

4:40 you don't get to hear "stop down to f1.4" everyday

[@alanjcravophotography4149]

Great news, however not for me as I am on Nikon z system and I have the huge. 50 1,.2…. Love it but it’s big tho. After I had customer service issues with Nikon UK in regards m Z9, I am seriously thinking in swapping systems to Sony

[@airdailyx]

Nikon Z mount please!

[@fudhita]

The conclusion is GM f1,2 is better, right?

[@Santiago-ys2pp]

Ehhh...NO

[@MattTrevett]

This lens is a tad smaller than Sony's 50mm f/1.2, a tad cheaper, and kind of a tad better quality. It's just a little edge better than Sony in every way. All the f/1.4 lenses are decently smaller, but this is such a fantastic lens.

[@photographydiscourse1185]

Hi Chris - are we sure that 1.2 is only 30% brighter and not 50% brighter than 1.4? I have heard both from many sources, but doing the math it seems like it is in the middle between f/1.4 and f/1 (the next faster stop), so I would expect it to be a half stop not a third - please let me know how you determine that it is 30% brighter and if there is a definitive source on this issue? Thank you sir! :) -PD

[@jeroenvdw]

On the aperture ring you can see the F/1.2, then 3 small lines indicating 1/3 stops and every full stop is made with a thicker line. So I guess it's really 33% lighter. Not scientific, but just looking at the ring... Edit: Correction, so it seems like 1/4 stops which makes it 25% lighter.

[@colinjudge1261]

From a theoretical point of view, f/1.2 should be almost exactly half a stop brighter than f/1.4. However, as lenses approach and go beyond f/1.0, light gathering improvements actually diminish in practical application. Different lens designs may handle it better than others, but I know that for my Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L, the difference between wide open and f/1.4 is in fact LESS than a third of a stop. In other words, if I stop down to f/1.4 and lower the shutter speed by a third of a stop to compensate, the resulting exposure will be brighter than before the changes. Another thing to take into account is that manufacturers can round their advertised max aperture to the nearest tidy number. So a lens may actually be f/1.24, for example.

[@PotatoSoKawaii]

Depends on the lens and the elements and coatings used. The F stop scale is for the DOF. If you want an accurate reading on Light, it’s a T stop on cine lenses. 1.2 can be 30-50% more light than 1.4 depending on coatings. This happens with the Fuji 56 1.2 and 56 1.2 APD lens. Both are F1.2 but have different amount of light due to the different types of glass and coatings used

[@photographydiscourse1185]

@@colinjudge1261 Agreed to all of this. I was more asking a theoretical question which I think is answered 1.2 is a half stop faster than 1.4. I realize that the t-stop of any lens can change the actual light transmission respectively but it is a half stop all things being equal.

[@colinjudge1261]

@@photographydiscourse1185 Yes, and just to note that the reason I said "almost exactly half a stop" is because of a caveat around how you determine what half- or third- stops actually constitute. The difference between f/1.0 and f/1.4 is one full stop, so f/1.2 is clearly half that. But if you want to split that difference into equal increments, you don't actually split it into equal portions, because in real-use, you want the difference in light resulting from each adjustment to be proportionally equal, rather than absolutely equal. This is the same reason why a shutter speed of 1/125th is a third-stop darker than 1/100th (when it would seem intuitive for it to be 1/133rd). A "true" third-stop is actually achieved by increasing or decreasing light by 1.26 times, and a half-stop would be achieved by increasing or decreasing by ~1.41 times.

[@iransirijillo]

At $1399 this a pass for me, $1199 I would’ve considered it but when you can buy the GM50 1.2 open box for $1600 it’s with the best AF you can have

[@stefistefistef]

I have the 40mm 1.4 Art lens, and it's brutally sharp - the sharpest I've ever tested. It's extremely clinically sharp, and I wish I could see/hear a comparison to the Sigma 50mm 1.2 :)

[@ritrattoaziendale]

Same here; I had both 35 and 50, and sold them for the 40 as it's the perfect placeholder for both focals! Would love to see an H2H with this new 50 f1.2 as I'm in Canon since 25 years, but I'm looking to switch to Sony at the end of the year (after coming wedding season) if Canon isn't opening to RF third parties.

[@jeroenvdw]

This new lens is probably a touch sharper if you use a 50-61MP camera. For anything under 50 they're probably the same. The Sigma 35mm 1.2 is sharper than the 40mm 1.4, but again only if you use high megapixel camera's.

[@TechnoBabble]

@@jeroenvdw The 35mm f/1.2 is definitely not sharper than the 40mm f/1.4, especially in the corners. Plus it has worse contrast overall and more chromatic aberration.

[@Smoothblue90]

Same here. I have the 28 mm 1.4 and the 40 mm 1.4 and They are wonderful but the 40 mm is huge. I passed on the 50 mm 1.4 because it just seemed average. This 50 mm 1.2 has me very interested.

[@TechnoBabble]

@@Smoothblue90 Agreed, this lens may replace my 40mm f/1.4 just because of the size. I absolutely love the 40mm but the size, weight, and shape make it so awkward to use sometimes. Especially at weddings where I might want to grab a quick shot one handed.

[@DesoloZantas]

I know your next video is going to be that new Nikon Z 28 to 400 lens 😏

[@SenorWhyME]

So no Christian video today I always liked watching your videos especially during Easter, Christmas

[@saifaldin_]

This lens is way out of my budget, and the bulk and heft is not in the range I’d consider bearable as a hobbyist.. but boy, the image quality it produces is definitely impressive.

[@Robin_Polarstern]

Wow

[@babthooka]

Cool :)

[@drbeardo6960]

🎉🎉🎉

[@daphnedh9086]

One of the few really expensive lenses that is actually an pretty easy sell for an retailer.

[@nightdonutstudio]

I always thought f1.2 is almost 50% brighter to f1.4. Because 100% birghter will is f0.95. f1.2 is almost the half by math. So isn't it be close to 50% more brighter?

[@quelmiti8856]

sqrt2

[@kuroexmachina]

i wish sigma apsc looked as good as this

[@alchemist_x79]

Looks like an outstanding alternative to the pricey GM, unless you're shooting the a1/a9 and need the unrestricted frame rate. 1.2 is more than I need for what I do to justify the extra expense, so I'd probably go with the 1.4 myself were I in the market for yet another 50mm, but this lens definitely looks like another home run from Sigma.

[@raf_bw]

GM 1.2 used are not that expensive e 😅

[@elevul]

I really hope Viltrox will

[@lumixS5M2]

We need RF lenses :)

[@user-vn8gn9bs5n]

Hi Chris please do review on fuji 8-16 f2.8. the only lens you left over. please do

[@AzarathGirl123]

Oh dear...... Just rewatched your video on the Sony 50mm f1.2 GM Sigma is clearly the winner Imagine a 3rd party lens manufacturer making the best 50mm lens😅

[@nat-lj8kt]

Challenges Sony on all fronts and not only price. Whether it is winner we have to wait and see. On autofocus speed and accuracy, I think GM would always win. A great convincing lens from Sigma with nice physical parameters too unlike the giant 35mm 1.2. Loving Sigma and the competition + innovation they are bringing. Sigma are the modern samurai of the photography optics companies