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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

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

56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary is 2.3 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary

Portrait

Wins

4categories

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary wins 3 categories·FE 50mm F1.2 GM wins 2 categories
  • A56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary has lower Weight (280 g vs 778 g)
  • A56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary has lower Length (66.5 mm vs 108 mm)
  • A56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary has lower Diameter (67.4 mm vs 87 mm)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Min focus distance (40 cm vs 50 cm)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has higher Max magnification (0.17 × vs 0.14 ×)

Key specs at a glance

56mm F1.4 DC DN ContemporaryFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal Length56 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/1.4f/1.2
MountFujifilm XSony E
CoverageAPS-CFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight280 g778 g
Min Focus50 cm40 cm
Filter Size55 mm72 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 50mm F1.2 GM

87 × 108 mm

778 g (1.72 lb / 27.44 oz)

56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary is 42mm shorter and 20mm narrower than FE 50mm F1.2 GM.

56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary is 498 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 case56mm F1.4 DC DN ContemporaryFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Portrait
8.5Excellent
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
4.5Fair
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
3.5Limited
4.5Fair
Landscape
2.0Limited
3.0Limited
Travel
5.0Fair
2.0Limited
Wildlife
0.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
0.0Limited
0.0Limited

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 778 g — lower is better

  • Length

    66.5 mm vs 108 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    67.4 mm vs 87 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 50mm F1.2 GM

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 XA (extreme aspherical)

  • 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

  • Min focus distance

    40 cm vs 50 cm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/1.4 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/1.4 — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.17 × 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 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 56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary and FE 50mm F1.2 GM at major authorized retailers.

Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary

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Full specifications

= category winner

56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal length (Min)
56 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
56 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.4
f/1.2+0.4 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.4
f/1.2+0.4 stops wider
Elements
10
14
Groups
8
10
Special elements
1 SLD, 2 Aspherical
3 XA (extreme aspherical)
56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Min focus distance
50 cm
40 cm−10 cm less
Max magnification
0.14 ×
0.17 ×+21%
Autofocus motor
Stepping motor
XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Weight
280 g−498 g less
778 g
Length
66.5 mm−42 mm less
108 mm
Diameter
67.4 mm−20 mm less
87 mm
Filter thread size
55 mm
72 mm
Weather sealing
No
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
56mm F1.4 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.