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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 price

Released Nov 2018

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

FE 50mm F1.2 GM is 2.3 years newer.

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Wins

4categories

56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary

PortraitSports & Action

Wins

3categories

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary wins 4 categories·FE 50mm F1.2 GM wins 1 categories
  • A56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary has lower Weight (280 g vs 778 g)
  • A56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary has lower Min focus distance (30 cm vs 40 cm)
  • A56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary has lower Diameter (70 mm vs 87 mm)
  • A56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary has lower Length (89 mm vs 108 mm)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/1.4)

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
MountSony ESony E
CoverageAPS-CFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight280 g778 g
Min Focus30 cm40 cm
Filter Size67 mm72 mm

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
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
3.5Limited
4.5Fair
Landscape
2.0Limited
3.0Limited
Travel
5.0Fair
2.0Limited
Wildlife
1.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical, ED

  • Weight

    280 g vs 778 g — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    70 mm vs 87 mm — lower is better

  • Length

    89 mm vs 108 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

  • 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 0.15 × — 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
14
14
Groups
11
10
Special elements
Aspherical, ED
3 XA (extreme aspherical)
56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
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
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
89 mm−19 mm less
108 mm
Diameter
70 mm−17 mm less
87 mm
Filter thread size
67 mm
72 mm
Weather sealing
No
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
11
56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Lens mount
Sony E
Sony E
Format coverage
APS-C
Full Frame

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