Which is Better: Sony 85mm f/1.8 vs. Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Lens
When photographers are in the market for prime 85mm lenses, especially in the E-mount system, two prominent choices often vie for attention: the Sony 85mm f/1.8 and the Sigma 85mm f/1.4. This article aims to provide a comprehensive comparison between these two lenses, helping you make an informed decision based on their performance, features, and overall value.
Performance Analysis
Both lenses are excellent choices in their own rights, but a detailed examination reveals that the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 outshines the Sony 85mm f/1.8 in multiple aspects.
Aperture Comparison
The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 lens benefits from a wider maximum aperture, allowing for deeper bokeh and better low-light photography capabilities. This advantage is attributed to the lens's superior ability to eliminate lens absorption and internal reflections, resulting in a cleaner image appearance, especially at larger apertures. However, this does not necessarily mean the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 is a perfect match for high-resolution sensors. It may exhibit minor issues such as aliasing and slight purple fringing, particularly at higher frequencies.
Resolution and Microcontrast
Resolution: The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 offers a noted improvement in resolution, particularly from the center to mid-frame. While it is impressive, it still falls short of the high-resolution performance of the Sony 85mm f/1.8. The Sony 85mm f/1.8 excels in resolution starting from f/2.8, providing a clean and sharp image even at its widest aperture.
Microcontrast: The microcontrast of the Sony 85mm f/1.8 is exceptional, especially when it reaches f/2.8. The lens maintains consistent sharpness and detail rendition throughout the aperture range, making it more versatile for a wide range of shooting conditions. In contrast, the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 shows a characteristic decay in microcontrast at higher frequencies, which may affect its performance with fine-sensor cameras.
Lens Flare and Aberrations
Lens Flare: The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 tends to have higher lens flare during bright light conditions, which could negatively impact image quality, especially in backlit or high-contrast situations. In comparison, the Sony 85mm f/1.8 exhibits better control over lens flare, contributing to a cleaner image.
Aberrations: Both lenses exhibit suboptimal performance with high-frequency details. The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 has some aliasing and purple fringing, although less pronounced than with many other lenses in the same aperture range. The Sony 85mm f/1.8 also has these issues, but they are managed better, providing a more balanced image.
A Historical Perspective
To put things into perspective, it's worth mentioning that the Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 AFD (older model, not the newer AFS variant) was often considered superior to both lenses. This lens offered exceptional sharpness, even at f/1.8 and f/2, and maintained a certain level of flare in its Point Spread Function (PSF), which is a desirable characteristic for many photographers.
However, modern alternatives such as the Nikkor 105mm f/2.5 AI and the Zeiss ZF 100mm f/2.8 significantly outperform these lenses in terms of corner-to-corner sharpness and overall performance. If quality is a top priority, these manual focus lenses should be considered.
User-Friendly Features
While both lenses excel in certain areas, the Sony 85mm f/1.8 is often favored by users due to its user-friendly features. It offers excellent autofocus performance, particularly in manual focusing scenarios, making it a versatile choice for various shooting conditions. Additionally, the lens is lighter and more portable, which is a significant advantage for on-the-go photographers.
Conclusion: While the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 offers outstanding performance and a wider aperture, the Sony 85mm f/1.8 is a better overall choice for many photographers due to its higher resolution, better control over aberrations, and user-friendly features. The choice ultimately depends on your specific needs and the type of photography you primarily engage in.