Sigma
56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
Sony E Mount
56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary — 56mm f/1.4 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sigma lineup.
$429
Launch priceReleased Nov 2018
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 priceReleased Dec 2020
85mm F1.4 DG DN Art is 2 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
56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
Wins
85mm F1.4 DG DN Art
3 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- A56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary has lower Length (59.5 mm vs 138 mm)
- A56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary has lower Weight (280 g vs 625 g)
- 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 (66.5 mm vs 81 mm)
- B85mm F1.4 DG DN Art has higher Max magnification (0.15 × vs 0.14 ×)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this lens size diff to share
56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
⌀67 × 60 mm
280 g (0.62 lb / 9.88 oz)
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 79mm shorter and 15mm 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
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose the 56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
- ✓
Length
59.5 mm vs 138 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Weight
280 g vs 625 g — lower is better
- ✓
Diameter
66.5 mm vs 81 mm — lower is better
Reasons to choose the 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art
- ✓
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
Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art
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
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.