Head-to-head · Best Macro Lenses

Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM (RF mount) vs Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art (Sony E / L mount)

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM (RF mount) comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.7 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about Canon RF shooters who want the most capable macro lens for nature, product and portrait work — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Macro Lenses

Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM (RF mount)

4.7

$1,149as of Jun 7

The Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM is the best macro lens overall for Canon RF shooters, pairing class-leading 1.4:1 magnification with reference-grade sharpness. Digital Camera World gave it 5 stars ('a stunning macro lens'), Amateur Photographer called it 'a sensational optic,' and OpticalLimits scored it 8.5/10. The price and the niche SA ring are the only real caveats.

Strengths

— Greater-than-life-size 1.4:1 maximum magnification
— Tack-sharp across the frame from f/2.8 on high-resolution bodies
— Up to 5 stops of in-lens IS, more with IBIS-equipped bodies

Watch-outs

— Expensive, like most L-series glass
— The SA control ring is a feature many will pay for but rarely use
— Slight focus shift (RSA) when stopping down at very close distances

$1,149 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #5 in Best Macro Lenses

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art (Sony E / L mount)

4.5

$859as of Jun 7

The Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art is the value sharpness king, repeatedly cited among the sharpest lenses ever tested on high-resolution Sony bodies. Amateur Photographer gave it a 5-star Gold Award and Cameralabs marked it Highly Recommended. With a de-clickable aperture ring, weather sealing and a longer working distance than 90mm rivals, it is an outstanding 1:1 macro for Sony E and L-mount; it lacks only in-lens stabilization.

Strengths

— Reference-grade sharpness, among the sharpest lenses tested on high-res bodies
— Excellent value versus first-party 105mm-class macros
— True 1:1 magnification with a de-clickable aperture ring

Watch-outs

— No optical image stabilization (relies on in-body IBIS)
— Stops at 1:1, not the 1.4:1 of the Canon and Sony flagships
— Heavier than some rivals at around 715g

$859 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM (RF mount)

The Canon RF 100mm matches the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS for class-leading 1.4:1 magnification, going beyond the strict 1:1 of the Nikon Z MC 105mm, Tamron 90mm and Sigma 105mm, and adds the SA control ring none of the others offer.

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art (Sony E / L mount)

The Sigma 105mm matches the Tamron 90mm as a value 1:1 macro without stabilization, offering a longer working distance, and like the Tamron it undercuts the stabilized first-party Sony FE 100mm GM and Nikon Z MC 105mm while stopping short of their 1.4:1 (Sony) magnification.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM (RF mount)	Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art (Sony E / L mount)
Mount	Canon RF	Sony E / Leica L
Focal Length	100mm	105mm
Max Aperture	f/2.8	f/2.8
Max Magnification	1.4:1	1:1
Min Focus	0.26m	0.295m
Stabilization	Up to 5 stops IS	—
Filter Size	67mm	—
Weight	730g	715g
Aperture Ring	—	De-clickable
Weather Sealed	—	Yes

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