Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art.
Sigma's mirrorless redesign drops weight and gains AF speed. Best-in-class portrait optics under $1,200 across E-mount and L-mount.
The Verdict.
Gavler Meta-Score
“The value pick that keeps the f/1.2 flagships honest — DxOMark rates its center sharpness on par with the $2,799 Nikon f/1.2, at 625 grams and roughly $1,199. You give up two-thirds of a stop and some corner polish, plus 'noticeable pincushion distortion' (Digital Camera World) that software corrects. For most portrait shooters, the smartest buy on this list.”
The Gavler Verdict
Where to Buy.
Prices checked regularly
90-day price history
Price History
Steady at $1,199 for the entire 90-day tracking window — no increases, no discounts, across 67 tracked days.
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Precision Engineering
625g — Half the DSLR Art's Weight
The mirrorless redesign dropped roughly 500 grams from the 1,130g DG HSM Art, turning an optically brilliant brute into an all-day portrait lens.
f/1.2-Rival Center Sharpness
DxOMark found it 'practically as sharp in the center wide-open' as the $2,799 Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 S — for roughly a third of the price.
Aperture Ring + AF-L Controls
A de-clickable, lockable aperture ring and a customizable AF-L button bring pro-body handling to a sub-$1,200 prime, on both E and L-mount.
Technical Specifications
The Scoreboard
8.9 sits just below the f/1.2 flagships not on optics — DxOMark measures its center sharpness as their equal — but on the two-thirds-stop aperture gap and the pincushion distortion Digital Camera World flags. Community and expert scores align; it is rated the value benchmark of the category, recommended precisely because it undercuts far pricier glass.
Cast Your Vote
Do you think Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art deserves the #7 spot in Best Portrait Lenses?
Global Critique
“A star performer, this lens delivers fabulous image quality with superb sharpness and contrast, negligible color fringing and beautiful bokeh.”
“The lens lives up to its claims with fast and virtually silent autofocus.”
“Relatively compact and lightweight for such a 'fast' 85mm lens, it's a joy to use. And while it's not cheap, it's very good value for money at the price.”
“Our only criticism of image quality is that, whereas the 85mm DG HSM is a virtually distortion-free lens, the DN gives noticeable pincushion distortion.”
“The Sigma Art series, on the other hand, might only be an F1.4, but it is not far behind; indeed it's practically as sharp in the center wide-open and has slightly better mid- and outer-field sharpness.”
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