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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
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Sony

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Sony E Mount

The ultimate standard zoom — incredibly sharp, exceptionally compact, and built for professionals.

$2,299

Launch price

Released Apr 2022

56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary is 1.2 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary

Portrait

Wins

2categories

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

LandscapeSports & Action

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary wins 3 categories·FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II wins 2 categories
  • A56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary has lower Weight (280 g vs 695 g)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Min focus distance (21 cm vs 50 cm)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has higher Max magnification (0.32 × vs 0.14 ×)
  • A56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.4 vs f/2.8)
  • A56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.4 vs f/2.8)

Key specs at a glance

56mm F1.4 DC DN ContemporaryFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Focal Length56 mm24-70 mm
Max Aperturef/1.4f/2.8
MountFujifilm XSony E
CoverageAPS-CFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight280 g695 g
Min Focus50 cm21 cm
Filter Size55 mm82 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

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II shown to scale

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

88 × 120 mm

695 g (1.53 lb / 24.52 oz)

56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary is 54mm shorter and 21mm narrower than FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II.

56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary is 415 g lighter than FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II.

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 ContemporaryFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Portrait
8.5Excellent
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
4.5Fair
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
3.5Limited
5.0Fair
Landscape
2.0Limited
7.0Good
Travel
5.0Fair
5.5Fair
Wildlife
0.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
0.0Limited
3.5Limited

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 695 g — lower is better

  • 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

  • Length

    66.5 mm vs 120 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    67.4 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED…

  • Min focus distance

    21 cm vs 50 cm — lower is better

  • Weather sealing

    Only FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II supports it

  • Control ring

    Only FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II supports it

  • Max magnification

    0.32 × vs 0.14 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

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

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Pros

  • Outstanding sharpness across the entire zoom range
  • Remarkably small and lightweight for an f/2.8 zoom
  • Four XD Linear focus motors provide blazing-fast AF tracking
  • Excellent close-up magnification
  • De-clickable aperture ring and customized function buttons

Cons

  • No built-in optical image stabilization (relies on body IBIS)
  • High launch price
  • Aperture ring can be easily bumped if not locked

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the 56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary and FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II at major authorized retailers.

Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

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Full specifications

= category winner

56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Focal length (Min)
56 mm
24 mm
Focal length (Max)
56 mm
70 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.4+2 stops wider
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.4+2 stops wider
f/2.8
Elements
10
20
Groups
8
15
Special elements
1 SLD, 2 Aspherical
2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED, 2 Super ED
56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Min focus distance
50 cm
21 cm−29 cm less
Max magnification
0.14 ×
0.32 ×2.3× more
Autofocus motor
Stepping motor
4 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Weight
280 g−415 g less
695 g
Length
66.5 mm−54 mm less
120 mm
Diameter
67.4 mm−21 mm less
88 mm
Filter thread size
55 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
No
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
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.