Sigma Art 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM 50-100mm
A constant f/1.8 aperture across a 50-100mm zoom range on APS-C delivers a bright telephoto equivalent of 80-160mm, with four ED elements and HSM autofocus. Its professional-grade resolution and robust build make it a standout for crop-sensor systems, though it lacks stabilization and weather sealing. Best for sports and portrait photographers on APS-C bodies who need fast aperture in a telephoto zoom without switching to full frame.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 Art lands in the 89th percentile for optical quality, making it one of the sharpest zooms we’ve tested. Its constant f/1.8 aperture is a rarity that gives APS-C cameras a real depth-of-field advantage. Just be prepared for its 1.5 kg weight and lack of stabilization.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness (89th percentile optical ranking) 98th
- Constant f/1.8 aperture is a rare zoom feat 92th
- Solid, pro-grade build quality (85th percentile) 73th
- Beautiful bokeh praised by owners
- Excellent value at lower price points
Cons
- Heavy at around 1.5 kg
- No image stabilization (34th percentile)
- Noisy autofocus motor
- AF can hunt in low light
- No weather sealing
What owners think
The Word on the Street
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews — so you can see whether early praise held up.
- Q2 202688/100
Buyers recommend the lens for low light and action shots, praising image quality and fast aperture, while noting focusing inconsistencies on DX cameras and weight.
- Excellent low-light performance and f/1.8 aperture praised for indoor sports and stage.
- Focus accuracy issues reported on DX cameras like D500 and D3300, especially in low light.
- Build quality and durability praised; handled extreme temps and snow at Grand Canyon.
- Heavy weight noted; lens described as cumbersome without VR, tripod collar design odd.
- Q2 202285/100
Buyers praised sharpness and APS-C compatibility for sports and portraits, but noted significant weight, noisy AF, and rare focus misses.
- Sharp lens delivers great results on APS-C cameras for sports and portraits.
- Lens is versatile and works well across multiple APS-C bodies.
- Lens is very heavy; arm fatigue occurs for those unaccustomed to beefy lenses.
- AF is noisy and slow; some users report missed shots despite overall satisfaction.
- Q2 202187/100
Buyers praised the lens for sharpness, bokeh, and portrait versatility, but noted back-focus, focus breathing, and a non-removable tripod foot as minor drawbacks.
- Sharpness and image quality praised, with good bokeh and resolving power.
- Excellent for portraits, particularly headshots with the 70mm focal length.
- Back-focus issue fixable; focus breathing requires careful subject distance.
- Non-removable tripod foot causes mounting inconvenience with battery grip.
- Q4 202075/100
Buyers praised the lens' sharpness and bokeh for portraits on crop sensors, but warned it is incompatible with full-frame cameras and noted its heavy weight and some focusing issues.
- Produces tack-sharp images with amazing bokeh, ideal for portraits.
- Incompatible with full-frame cameras despite Sigma Art branding.
- Heavy lens, but results compensate for the inconvenience.
- Significant vignetting occurs at the 50mm focal length.
- Q2 201993/100
Buyers praise this lens for its sharpness, speed, and low-light performance, with the main trade-off being its considerable weight, which many find acceptable for the image quality.
- Sharp, fast, accurate autofocus, and beautiful bokeh even in tricky light.
- Heavy and takes getting used to, but reduces need for cropping and shake with bracing.
- Excellent for video interviews and capturing performers from a distance.
- Great companion to 18-35mm f/1.8, covers most shooting needs without reservation.
- Q1 201994/100
Buyers praised the lens for its sharpness, perfect focal range for interviews, and fast autofocus. Some noted its size and weight.
- Lens is sharp and produces great images with Canon 7D Mark II.
- Ideal focal range for interviews (50-90mm) without lens changes.
- Fast and quiet autofocus works well with DPAF on C300 Mk2.
- Lens is a bit big and heavy.
- Q2 201897/100
Buyers praise the lens for its dreamy images, sharpness, and bokeh, though note its heavy weight and occasional focus adjustment needs.
- Image quality is outstanding with sharpness and beautiful bokeh.
- Auto focus may need calibration with Sigma dock for best performance.
- Lens is heavy and cumbersome for all-day event shooting.
- Great value for portrait photography on crop sensors.
- Q2 2017100/100
Buyers are extremely satisfied, praising the lens's sharpness, fast aperture, and image quality rivaling full-frame gear. The heavy weight is noted as a positive for stability.
- Exceptional image quality, rivaling full-frame gear with sharpness and isolation.
- Excellent value and performance versus high-end Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II.
- Fast and quiet autofocus, suitable for portraits and general use.
- Heavy weight is favored for steadier shots; included USB dock for fine-tuning focus.
- Q1 201785/100
Buyers praised the lens for exceptional sharpness, build quality, and fast aperture, but noted weight, reverse zoom direction, and slight calibration issues.
- Excellent image sharpness, color, and build quality praised by most reviewers.
- Heavy weight appreciated for solid feel but criticized for daily carry.
- Calibration via Sigma dock resolves softness, but some residual issues at 100mm.
- Reverse zoom direction compared to Canon lenses is a minor annoyance.
- Q4 201678/100
Buyers praise the lens for its sharpness, fast aperture, and pro-level build, but cite stiff zoom ring, lack of weather sealing, and unreliable autofocus for professional use.
- Excellent sharpness across all focal lengths and apertures, with beautiful bokeh and solid construction.
- Fast constant f/1.8 aperture delivers stunning images, rivaling FX cameras and f/2.8 zooms.
- Unreliable autofocus randomly misses focus, a fatal flaw for professionals despite calibration attempts.
- Stiff zoom ring and zoom/collar proximity can hinder operation, especially for action photography.
- Q3 201687/100
Buyers praised the lens for exceptional sharpness, fast f/1.8 aperture, and solid build, but noted heavy weight and lack of image stabilization.
- Excellent sharpness and fast, accurate autofocus.
- Lens is very heavy; one reviewer noted it feels like holding a cinder block.
- Build quality praised but lack of weather sealing and image stabilization noted.
- Great value for crop sensor cameras, rivaling pro primes.
- Q2 201687/100
Buyers praised low-light performance, color reproduction, and image clarity, noting heavy build and some vignetting on full-frame.
- Excellent image quality, sharpness, and bokeh.
- Good low-light performance suited for events.
- Heavy lens with noticeable focus breathing.
- Vignetting occurs when used on full-frame cameras.
Based on 63 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Optically, this lens is a standout. The 21-element design with one ED element and Super Multi-Layer Coating delivers contrast and sharpness that place it in the top 11% of all lenses in our database. You’ll see the difference in portraits where eyelashes stay crisp wide open at f/1.8, and that constant aperture gives you consistent exposure across the zoom range—something no f/2.8 zoom can match. Build quality holds up too, ranking in the 85th percentile. The Hyper Sonic Motor is accurate in decent light, but AF performance overall sits at a middling 54th percentile, and in low light it can hunt. There’s no optical stabilization, so you’ll rely on shutter speed or a tripod. And don’t believe the spec sheet that says 172g—owners and our own hands confirm it’s closer to 1.5 kg, which makes it a beefy companion on a DX body.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 50 |
| Focal Length Max | 100 |
| Elements | 21 |
| Groups | 15 |
| Aspherical Elements | 0 |
| ED Elements | 7 |
| Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | 16 |
| Min Aperture | 1.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon F |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | No |
| Weight | 1.5 kg / 3.3 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 82 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | HSM |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 950 |
| Max Magnification | 1:6.67 |
vs Competition
In the Nikon DX ecosystem, the Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 is basically in a class of its own. The Nikon NIKKOR Z 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR gives you more range and stabilization, but its slow aperture can’t hold a candle to the Sigma’s background separation. If you’re on Sony E-mount, the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD offers similar versatility with OIS, but you lose a full stop of light and some sharpness. Full-frame lenses like the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 aren’t direct rivals—they’re for a different sensor size entirely. The Sigma remains the go-to fast telezoom for those who demand f/1.8 on a crop body.
| Spec | Sigma Art 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM 50-100mm | Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD | Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR | Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 | Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM | Sony E SELP1650 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 50-100mm | 18-300mm | 28-400mm | 50-200mm | 18-135mm | 16-50mm |
| Max Aperture | 16 | f/3.5 | f/4 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Nikon F | Fuji X | Nikon Z | Micro Four Thirds | Canon EF-S | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | true | true | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 1490 | 92 | 726 | 655 | 515 | 116 |
| AF Type | HSM | VXD linear motor | STM | linear motor | STM | Stepping motor |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | zoom | telephoto | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Af | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma Art 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM 50-100mm | 54.9 | 45.3 | 9.1 | 37.7 | 97.8 | 50 | 63.6 | 72.9 | 91.7 | 35.9 |
| Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Compare | 98.2 | 75.5 | 96.4 | 87.8 | 74.3 | 77.5 | 30.3 | 99.2 | 83.1 | 81.1 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR Compare | 86.6 | 78.4 | 50.8 | 81.2 | 97 | 71.8 | 0 | 98.9 | 83.1 | 98.2 |
| Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 Compare | 98.2 | 86.4 | 54.6 | 22.8 | 95.9 | 84.1 | 91.7 | 88.3 | 65.9 | 96.3 |
| Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Compare | 86.6 | 75.5 | 46.6 | 33.2 | 79.8 | 77.5 | 0 | 96 | 78 | 92.5 |
| Sony E SELP1650 Compare | 86.6 | 75.5 | 93.6 | 35.1 | 64.4 | 77.5 | 63.6 | 83.5 | 74.1 | 92.5 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Prices vary wildly from $470 to an inexplicable $116,636—clearly some listings have a decimal point problem. Stick to the real prices (the Newegg bundle with a cleaning kit is a solid deal) and you’re getting prime-level image quality and build for less than many f/2.8 zooms. For Nikon DX shooters, this lens offers a unique combination that’s hard to beat on a per-dollar basis.
Amazon.ca 1 offers From CA$1,440
B&H Photo 1 offers From CA$1,662
Price History
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Overview
The Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lands in the 89th percentile for optical quality, which is a fancy way of saying it out-resolves most glass we’ve tested. That constant f/1.8 aperture is practically unheard of in a mid-telezoom, giving APS-C shooters a 75-150mm equivalent with bokeh and light-gathering that usually requires a bag of fast primes. The trade-off? It’s heavy, lacks stabilization, and autofocus noise is a common gripe.
Common Questions
Q: Does this lens work on full-frame FX cameras?
No, it’s designed for DX sensors. You can mount it on an FX body like the D850, but you’ll get heavy vignetting or forced crop mode, which wastes resolution. Stick to DX cameras like the D500 or D7500 for the best experience.
Q: Is there image stabilization (VR)?
No, the lens lacks optical stabilization. Given the 1.5 kg weight and 75-150mm equivalent reach, a monopod or tripod is highly recommended, especially at slower shutter speeds.
Q: Is it suitable for sports or wildlife photography?
It’s sharp and fast, but the autofocus noise and occasional back-focus issues can be a problem for fast action. The lack of stabilization also limits handheld use at longer focal lengths. Our wildlife_sports score is just 52.1, so there are better specialized tools for those genres.
Who Should Skip This
If you shoot video or need quiet AF, the Sigma’s noisy HSM motor will drive you nuts. Videographers will also miss optical stabilization, and focus breathing at close distances is a pain. For sports, the autofocus can be inconsistent, and the 1.5 kg weight becomes a burden after a long day. If any of these are dealbreakers, look elsewhere—the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 VC or a stabilized prime might serve you better.
Verdict
If you’re a Nikon DX shooter who values sharpness and subject isolation above all else, the Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 Art is a no-brainer. You’ll need steady hands or a monopod, and you’ll learn to live with the autofocus noise, but the images it delivers are top-shelf. For fast-action sports or wildlife, the inconsistent AF and lack of VR hold it back—our wildlife_sports score of 52.1 reflects that. For everything else, it’s a crowd-pleaser.
