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Sigma

50mm F1.2 DG DN Art

Sony E Mount

50mm F1.2 DG DN Art — 50mm f/1.2 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sigma lineup.

$1,499

Launch price

Released May 2021

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

50mm F1.2 DG DN Art is 2 months newer.

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Wins

2categories

50mm F1.2 DG DN Art

PortraitSports & Action

Wins

3categories

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

PortraitSports & Action

3 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

50mm F1.2 DG DN Art wins 2 categories·FE 50mm F1.2 GM wins 3 categories
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Length (108 mm vs 182 mm)
  • A50mm F1.2 DG DN Art has lower Min focus distance (30 cm vs 40 cm)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Weight (778 g vs 946 g)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has higher Max magnification (0.17 × vs 0.15 ×)
  • A50mm F1.2 DG DN Art has lower Diameter (81 mm vs 87 mm)

Key specs at a glance

50mm F1.2 DG DN ArtFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal Length50 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/1.2f/1.2
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight946 g778 g
Min Focus30 cm40 cm
Filter Size77 mm72 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use case50mm F1.2 DG DN ArtFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Portrait
9.0Excellent
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
3.0Limited
Travel
2.0Limited
2.0Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the 50mm F1.2 DG DN Art

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical, ED

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    81 mm vs 87 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 50mm F1.2 GM

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 XA (extreme aspherical)

  • Length

    108 mm vs 182 mm — lower is better

  • Weight

    778 g vs 946 g — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.17 × vs 0.15 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/1.2

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/1.2

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Custom function button

Both support custom function button

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

50mm F1.2 DG DN Art

Pros

  • Bright f/1.2 aperture for low light and subject separation
  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use
  • 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 50mm F1.2 DG DN Art and FE 50mm F1.2 GM at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

50mm F1.2 DG DN Art
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal length (Min)
50 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
50 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.2
f/1.2
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.2
f/1.2
Elements
14
14
Groups
11
10
Special elements
Aspherical, ED
3 XA (extreme aspherical)
50mm F1.2 DG DN Art
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Min focus distance
30 cm−10 cm less
40 cm
Max magnification
0.15 ×
0.17 ×+13%
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
50mm F1.2 DG DN Art
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
50mm F1.2 DG DN Art
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Weight
946 g
778 g−168 g less
Length
182 mm
108 mm−74 mm less
Diameter
81 mm−6 mm less
87 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
72 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
11
50mm F1.2 DG DN Art
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Lens mount
Sony E
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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