Head-to-head · Best Macro Lenses

Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S (Z 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

Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S (Z mount) comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.6 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about Nikon Z shooters who want a stabilized, weather-sealed macro and short-telephoto portrait lens — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Macro Lenses

Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S (Z mount)

4.6

$896.95as of Jun 7

The Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S is the benchmark macro lens for the Z system, combining S-line sharpness, vibration reduction and a long working distance. Digital Camera World rated it 5 stars ('a stunner'), Cameralabs marked it Highly Recommended, and Amateur Photographer praised its 'excellent sharpness across the frame.' Its only real limitation versus the Canon and Sony flagships is that it stops at 1:1 magnification.

Strengths

— Very sharp across the frame, usable wide open with minimal aberrations
— Built-in VR stabilization (around 4.5 stops) aids handheld macro
— Long 105mm working distance keeps you back from skittish subjects

Watch-outs

— Maxes out at 1:1, not the 1.4:1 of the Canon and Sony flagships
— Premium price for the Z system
— No teleconverter support for greater-than-life-size magnification

$896.95 · 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

Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S (Z mount)

The Nikon Z MC 105mm offers a longer working distance than the Tamron 90mm and Sigma 105mm and adds in-lens VR they lack, but it stops at 1:1 where the Canon RF 100mm and Sony FE 100mm GM reach 1.4:1.

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	Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S (Z mount)	Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art (Sony E / L mount)
Mount	Nikon Z	Sony E / Leica L
Focal Length	105mm	105mm
Max Aperture	f/2.8	f/2.8
Max Magnification	1:1	1:1
Min Focus	0.29m	0.295m
Stabilization	VR (~4.5 stops)	—
Filter Size	62mm	—
Weight	630g	715g
Aperture Ring	—	De-clickable
Weather Sealed	—	Yes

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