Sigma 85mm F/1.4 DG HSM | A vs Sony FE 85mm F/1.4 GM SEL85F14GM — Which Is Better?
Side by side38 specifications |
Sigma · f/1.4 · Nikon F mount
Sigma 85mm F/1.4 DG HSM | A
75
WINNER
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Sony · f/1.4 · Sony E mount
Sony FE 85mm F/1.4 GM SEL85F14GM
74
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sigma 85mm F/1.4 DG HSM | A and the Sony FE 85mm F/1.4 GM are both full-frame portrait primes from 2016, and each opens to f/1.4 for shallow depth of field and low-light shooting. The Sigma Art serves the Nikon F system, while the Sony GM carries Sony's flagship GM branding on the E mount. Your camera system is therefore the first deciding fact between them. | ||
| Release Year | 2016 | 2016 |
Production Status ⓘCurrent status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued). |
 In Production | In Production |
Version ⓘThe iteration or release number of a particular lens model. |
N/A | I |
Pro Branding ⓘSpecific branding codes used for professional-tier lenses. |
Art | GM |
Lens Mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon F | Sony E |
System ⓘIndicates which camera system the lens is designed to attach to. |
Nikon F | Sony E |
Maximum Format ⓘLargest sensor size compatible with the lens. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
| Physical | 92/100 | 100/100 |
Read the Physical ComparisonPhysicalThe Sony GM is the lighter and more compact carry: 820 g against 1130 g for the Sigma, and 107.5 mm long against 126.2 mm. It is also slimmer, at 89.5 mm diameter versus 94.7 mm. Both lenses accept front filters, but at different sizes, 77 mm for the Sony and 86 mm for the Sigma, so direct-fit filter collections do not carry over between them. | ||
| Lens Weight | 1130 g | 820 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
94.7 mm | 89.5 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
126.2 mm | 107.5 mm |
Front Filter Compatible ⓘSome lenses are compatible with front filters, some are compatible with back filters and some are compatible with both. Front filters are usually more convenient to add and remove. |
 Yes | Yes |
Front Filter Size ⓘDiameter of attachable filters. |
86 mm | 77 mm |
| Optics | 86/100 | 88/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe shared 85 mm focal length and f/1.4 maximum aperture give both lenses the same classic portrait framing and light-gathering ability. Autofocus, a manual focusing ring and an 85 cm closest focusing distance appear on each. Maximum magnification is a near match, reading 0.12x on both. The aperture differs in blade count, with 11 on the Sony against 9 on the Sigma. | ||
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) |
85 mm | 85 mm |
Aperture Range ⓘLargest aperture at the lens's shortest focal length to longest focal length (aperture range start - end) |
1.4 | 1.4 |
| Focal Length Angle of View | 28.560464963937992° | 28.56° |
Flange Focal Distance ⓘDistance from lens mount to sensor. |
44 mm | 18 mm |
Diaphragm Type ⓘStructure and design of the aperture |
 Automatic | Automatic |
Blades ⓘNumber of diaphragm blades in aperture |
9020 | 11020 |
Zoom Lens ⓘZoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups |
✗ | ✗ |
Closest Focusing Distance ⓘMinimum distance for a subject to be in focus. |
85 cm01500 | 85 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced |
0.12x | 0.12x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes | Yes |
| Features | 52/100 | 32/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Sigma holds a practical edge for lens care: its fluorine coating helps the front element shed dust and oil, so it wipes clean easily after a session. The two lenses are similar on protection, with weather sealing on both for shooting in damp conditions. Neither offers built-in image stabilization or teleconverter compatibility. | ||
Weather Sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
Fluorine Coating ⓘCoating to repel water and oil from lens elements. |
 Yes | No |
| Built In Lens Hood | ✗ | ✗ |
| Lens Hood Type |  Petal |  Round |
Teleconverter ⓘA teleconverter (extender) is an extra piece of equipment that fits between the lens and the camera body to enhance magnification |
✗ | ✗ |
| Image Stabilization | ✗ | ✗ |
| Construction | 31/100 | 31/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionThe Sigma uses a larger optical formula of 14 elements in 12 groups, including one aspherical and one low-dispersion element. The Sony organises its smaller layout as 11 elements in 8 groups, with one bi-aspherical and one low-dispersion element. Neither lens uses an internal focusing design. | ||
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. |
14 | 11 |
| Groups | 12 | 8 |
Aspherical Elements ⓘThe number of aspherical lens elements which can help correct aberrations such as spherical aberration. |
1 | 0 |
Bi Aspherical Elements ⓘElements with two non-spherical surfaces |
0 | 1 |
Low Dispersion ⓘElements that reduce chromatic aberration |
1 | 1 |
Super Low Dispersion ⓘAdvanced elements further reducing chromatic aberration |
0 | 0 |
CA Reduction ⓘBuilt-in features to reduce chromatic aberration |
0 | 0 |
Internal Focusing ⓘInternal Focusing means that the lens does not change in size during focusing, and the front element does not rotate. |
✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For Sony E portrait photographers the GM is the natural pick, coming in 310 g lighter, 18.7 mm shorter and with the smaller 77 mm filter thread. Nikon F photographers get the Sigma Art instead, gaining the fluorine coating for easier front-element cleaning on the same 85 mm f/1.4 portrait formula and weather sealing. The mounts decide the pairing, so choose the lens that matches your body.