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18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary

Sigma

18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary

Fujifilm X Mount

18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary — 18–50mm f/2.8 for Fujifilm X, a popular choice in the sigma lineup.

$549

Launch price

Released Apr 2023

vs

Sony

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

Sony E Mount

Exquisite resolution and dreamy bokeh combine in a masterful f/1.2 prime.

$1,999

Launch price

Released Mar 2021

18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary is 2.1 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary

Wins

2categories

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary wins 3 categories·FE 50mm F1.2 GM wins 2 categories
  • A18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary has lower Min focus distance (12.1 cm vs 40 cm)
  • A18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary has lower Weight (285 g vs 778 g)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • A18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary has higher Max magnification (0.36 × vs 0.17 ×)

Key specs at a glance

18-50mm F2.8 DC DN ContemporaryFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal Length18-50 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.2
MountFUJIFILM XSony E
CoverageAPS-CFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight285 g778 g
Min Focus12.1 cm40 cm
Filter Size55 mm72 mm

Size and weight, to scale

18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary shown to scale

18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary

62 × 77 mm

285 g (0.63 lb / 10.05 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

87 × 108 mm

778 g (1.72 lb / 27.44 oz)

18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary is 31mm shorter and 25mm narrower than FE 50mm F1.2 GM.

18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary is 493 g lighter than FE 50mm F1.2 GM.

Diameter (⌀) is the maximum barrel width; length is measured from the mount to the front of the lens.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use case18-50mm F2.8 DC DN ContemporaryFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Portrait
3.0Limited
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
4.5Fair
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.0Fair
4.5Fair
Landscape
5.0Fair
3.0Limited
Travel
5.0Fair
2.0Limited
Wildlife
0.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
4.5Fair
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 SLD, 3 Aspherical

  • Min focus distance

    12.1 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    285 g vs 778 g — lower is better

  • Diameter

    61.6 mm vs 87 mm — lower is better

  • Length

    76.8 mm vs 108 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.36 × vs 0.17 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the FE 50mm F1.2 GM

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 XA (extreme aspherical)

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Weather sealing

    Only FE 50mm F1.2 GM supports it

  • Control ring

    Only FE 50mm F1.2 GM supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 50mm F1.2 GM supports it

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day
  • Native Fujifilm X mount compatibility

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

Pros

  • Outstanding sharpness wide open at f/1.2
  • Stunningly smooth, circular bokeh with 11 aperture blades
  • Extremely quiet and fast autofocus tracking
  • Manageable size and weight for an f/1.2 lens

Cons

  • Expensive investment for a single focal length
  • Heavy compared to standard f/1.8 options
  • Some visible vignetting wide open

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary and FE 50mm F1.2 GM at major authorized retailers.

Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary

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Full specifications

= category winner

18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal length (Min)
18 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
50 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
Elements
13
14
Groups
10
10
Special elements
1 SLD, 3 Aspherical
3 XA (extreme aspherical)
18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Min focus distance
12.1 cm−28 cm less
40 cm
Max magnification
0.36 ×2.1× more
0.17 ×
Autofocus motor
Stepping motor
XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Weight
285 g−493 g less
778 g
Length
76.8 mm−31 mm less
108 mm
Diameter
61.6 mm−25 mm less
87 mm
Filter thread size
55 mm
72 mm
Weather sealing
No
Yes
Diaphragm blades
7
11
18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Lens mount
FUJIFILM X
Sony E
Format coverage
APS-C
Full Frame

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.