Cameraegg Compare logoCameraegg

Sigma

56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary

Fujifilm X Mount

56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary — 56mm f/1.4 for Fujifilm X, a popular choice in the sigma lineup.

$429

Launch price

Released Jun 2023

vs

Sigma

85mm F1.4 DG DN Art

Sony E Mount

85mm F1.4 DG DN Art — 85mm f/1.4 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sigma lineup.

$1,199

Launch price

Released Dec 2020

56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary is 2.5 years newer.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Wins

3categories

56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary

Portrait

Wins

2categories

85mm F1.4 DG DN Art

PortraitSports & Action

3 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary wins 3 categories·85mm F1.4 DG DN Art wins 2 categories
  • A56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary has lower Weight (280 g vs 625 g)
  • A56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary has lower Length (66.5 mm vs 138 mm)
  • B85mm F1.4 DG DN Art has lower Min focus distance (30 cm vs 50 cm)
  • A56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary has lower Diameter (67.4 mm vs 81 mm)
  • B85mm F1.4 DG DN Art has higher Max magnification (0.15 × vs 0.14 ×)

Key specs at a glance

56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary85mm F1.4 DG DN Art
Focal Length56 mm85 mm
Max Aperturef/1.4f/1.4
MountFujifilm XSony E
CoverageAPS-CFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight280 g625 g
Min Focus50 cm30 cm
Filter Size55 mm77 mm

Size and weight, to scale

56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary

67 × 67 mm

280 g (0.62 lb / 9.88 oz)

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

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

85mm F1.4 DG DN Art

81 × 138 mm

625 g (1.38 lb / 22.05 oz)

56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary is 72mm shorter and 14mm narrower than 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art.

56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary is 345 g lighter than 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art.

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 case56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary85mm F1.4 DG DN Art
Portrait
8.5Excellent
9.5Excellent
Sports & Action
4.5Fair
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
3.5Limited
4.5Fair
Landscape
2.0Limited
4.0Fair
Travel
5.0Fair
3.5Limited
Wildlife
0.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
0.0Limited
1.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the 56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 SLD, 2 Aspherical

  • Weight

    280 g vs 625 g — lower is better

  • Length

    66.5 mm vs 138 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    67.4 mm vs 81 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical, ED

  • Weather sealing

    Only 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art supports it

  • Control ring

    Only 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art supports it

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 50 cm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.15 × vs 0.14 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/1.4

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/1.4

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary

Pros

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

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

85mm 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

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the 56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary and 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art at major authorized retailers.

Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
85mm F1.4 DG DN Art
Focal length (Min)
56 mm
85 mm
Focal length (Max)
56 mm
85 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.4
f/1.4
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.4
f/1.4
Elements
10
14
Groups
8
11
Special elements
1 SLD, 2 Aspherical
Aspherical, ED
56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
85mm F1.4 DG DN Art
Min focus distance
50 cm
30 cm−20 cm less
Max magnification
0.14 ×
0.15 ×+7%
Autofocus motor
Stepping motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
85mm F1.4 DG DN Art
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
85mm F1.4 DG DN Art
Weight
280 g−345 g less
625 g
Length
66.5 mm−72 mm less
138 mm
Diameter
67.4 mm−14 mm less
81 mm
Filter thread size
55 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
No
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
85mm F1.4 DG DN Art
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.