Head-to-head · Best Macro Lenses

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art (Sony E / L mount) vs Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD (Sony E / Nikon Z)

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

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art (Sony E / L mount) and Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD (Sony E / Nikon Z) score essentially the same (4.5 vs 4.5). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

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 →

Ranked #4 in Best Macro Lenses

Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD (Sony E / Nikon Z)

4.5

$699as of Jun 7

The Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD is the value champion of the macro field, reviving Tamron's legendary 90mm macro for mirrorless. PetaPixel called it 'sharp and capable for the value-minded photographer,' and Cameralabs rated it Highly Recommended. It delivers first-party-grade 1:1 sharpness and fast VXD autofocus for hundreds less than Sony or Nikon glass; the trade-off is no in-lens stabilization.

Strengths

— Excellent value, considerably cheaper than first-party macros
— Incredibly sharp in the center at f/2.8 with strong corners
— Fast, accurate VXD linear-motor autofocus

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
— Roughly 4-inch working distance is shorter than the 105mm options

$699 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

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.

Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD (Sony E / Nikon Z)

The Tamron 90mm undercuts the first-party Sony FE 100mm GM and Nikon Z MC 105mm on price while delivering comparable 1:1 sharpness, but unlike them and the Canon RF 100mm it has no optical stabilization; like the Sigma 105mm it relies on in-body IBIS.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art (Sony E / L mount)	Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD (Sony E / Nikon Z)
Mount	Sony E / Leica L	Sony E / Nikon Z
Focal Length	105mm	90mm
Max Aperture	f/2.8	f/2.8
Max Magnification	1:1	1:1
Min Focus	0.295m	0.23m
Aperture Ring	De-clickable	—
Weather Sealed	Yes	Yes
Weight	715g	630g
AF	—	VXD linear motor

← See the full ranking of best macro lenses