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Sigma

18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary

Sony E Mount

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

$549

Launch price

Released Oct 2021

vs

Sigma

20mm F1.4 DG DN Art

Sony E Mount

20mm F1.4 DG DN Art — 20mm f/1.4 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sigma lineup.

$899

Launch price

Released Aug 2022

20mm F1.4 DG DN Art is 10 months newer.

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Wins

4categories

18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary

Sports & Action

Wins

3categories

20mm F1.4 DG DN Art

LandscapePortrait

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary wins 2 categories·20mm F1.4 DG DN Art wins 3 categories
  • B20mm F1.4 DG DN Art has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.4 vs f/2.8)
  • B20mm F1.4 DG DN Art has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.4 vs f/2.8)
  • A18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary has higher Max magnification (0.25 × vs 0.15 ×)
  • A18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary has lower Diameter (65 mm vs 86 mm)
  • B20mm F1.4 DG DN Art has lower Min focus distance (30 cm vs 38 cm)

Key specs at a glance

18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary20mm F1.4 DG DN Art
Focal Length18-50 mm20 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.4
MountSony ESony E
CoverageAPS-CFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight290 g335 g
Min Focus38 cm30 cm
Filter Size62 mm82 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use case18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary20mm F1.4 DG DN Art
Portrait
4.5Fair
6.5Good
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.0Fair
3.5Limited
Landscape
4.0Fair
8.0Excellent
Travel
5.0Fair
5.0Fair
Wildlife
1.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
2.0Limited
1.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Diameter

    65 mm vs 86 mm — lower is better

  • Weight

    290 g vs 335 g — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × vs 0.15 × — higher is better

  • Length

    91 mm vs 97 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.4 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.4 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Special elements

    Adds ED

  • Weather sealing

    Only 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art supports it

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

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 Sony E mount compatibility

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

20mm F1.4 DG DN Art

Pros

  • Bright f/1.4 aperture for low light and subject separation
  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary and 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art 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
20mm F1.4 DG DN Art
Focal length (Min)
18 mm
20 mm
Focal length (Max)
50 mm
20 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/1.4+2 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/1.4+2 stops wider
Elements
16
10
Groups
12
8
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical, ED
18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary
20mm F1.4 DG DN Art
Min focus distance
38 cm
30 cm−8 cm less
Max magnification
0.25 ×+67%
0.15 ×
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary
20mm F1.4 DG DN Art
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary
20mm F1.4 DG DN Art
Weight
290 g−45 g less
335 g
Length
91 mm−6 mm less
97 mm
Diameter
65 mm−21 mm less
86 mm
Filter thread size
62 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
No
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary
20mm F1.4 DG DN Art
Lens mount
Sony E
Sony E
Format coverage
APS-C
Full Frame

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