Photo: Henry Söderlund (CC BY 2.0)
Quick answer
Fast portrait prime for APS-C mirrorless, giving about 84mm equivalent. It weighs about 280 g and uses a 55mm filter thread.
Pros
- Bright f/1.4
- Sharp
- Compact at about 280 g
Cons
- APS-C only
- No stabilization
Verdict
It is a strong portrait lens for APS-C Sony.
About this lens
A 56mm f/1.4 APS-C fast standard prime lens, the Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary 018 is designed for Sony E mount bodies, from the Sigma Contemporary line. A fast prime for APS-C and mirrorless cameras from Sigma's Contemporary line.
Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary 018 specifications
- Brand
- Sigma
- Mount
- Sony E
- Focal length
- 56mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/1.4
- Lens type
- Prime
- Format coverage
- aps-c
- Optical construction
- 10 elements in 6 groups
- Aperture blades
- 9
- Autofocus motor
- Stepping motor
- Minimum focus distance
- 0.5 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.14x
- Filter thread
- 55 mm
- Weight
- 280 g
- Length
- 59.5 mm
- Diameter
- 66.5 mm
Specification source: sigmaphoto.com
What can you shoot with the Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary 018?
- Portraits
- Low-light
- Video
Its very wide maximum aperture suits low light and shallow depth of field with strong background blur.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APS-C | 1.5x | 84mm | 24.2° | 28.9° |
Frequently asked questions
What is the equivalent focal length?
About 84mm on a full-frame equivalent basis, which is a classic portrait length.
Is the Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary 018 sharp?
Yes. It is widely regarded as a sharp portrait lens for APS-C, including at wide apertures.
Does the Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary 018 fit full frame?
It is designed for APS-C, so on full frame the camera would crop the image.
Alternatives for Sony E from other brands
All Sony E lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
