Sigma dethrones Zeiss in optical quality
posted Monday, February 6, 2017 at 7:00 AM EDT
Three years after releasing their first Art series lens, the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art, Sigma has wowed lens testers yet again with their new Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens.
The new portrait prime is large in stature -- weighing nearly 40 ounces (1,132 grams) -- but the weight looks to be worth it because both DxOMark and LensRentals are observing incredibly impressive MTF charts and optical performance. In fact, DxOMark awarded the new Sigma lens the highest score in its database, besting the Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 lens, which costs nearly four times as much as the Sigma and doesn't offer autofocus.
What makes the Sigma lens stand out is its very consistent sharpness across the frame, a regular area of weakness for ultra-fast optics. The only downside, says DxOMark, is the lens' vignetting, which is still relatively low. The Digital Picture did make note of axial/spherical/spherochromatism issues, which you can see more about in their review.
The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens looks to be another homerun for Sigma. When you can get optical performance this good for $1,200, it's hard to justify spending nearly $5,000 on a Zeiss Otus. Of course there's more to a lens than its DxOMark score, but nonetheless, Sigma has been knocking it out of the park lately.
(Seen via Canon Watch)