Head-to-head · Best Wide-Angle Lenses for Sony E-Mount

Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary vs Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM

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

Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.6 vs 4.8). The gap is mostly about Astrophotographers, landscape and architecture shooters who want the widest, brightest rectilinear prime in a travel-friendly size. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #5 in Best Wide-Angle Lenses for Sony E-Mount

Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary

4.6

$989as of Jun 7

The Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary delivers surprisingly few compromises for a Contemporary-line lens, leading with high sharpness across the frame in a light, internally-zooming 450g body. It starts a true 16mm wide, takes 72mm filters, and undercuts the Sony GM by more than half. The main caveats are mount-only weather sealing and heavy uncorrected vignetting and distortion at the wide end.

Strengths

— Superb center sharpness with very impressive borders and corners across the range
— Light and compact at 450g with an internal zoom that does not change length
— Starts at a true 16mm, a millimeter wider than the Tamron rival

Watch-outs

— Weather sealing is limited to a gasket at the lens mount only
— Strong vignetting at f/2.8 (3+ EV) at the wide end before correction
— Around 4.5% barrel distortion at 16mm that needs correcting

$989 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Wide-Angle Lenses for Sony E-Mount

Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM

4.8

$1,698as of Jun 7

The FE 14mm F1.8 GM is an exceptionally compact and light ultra-wide prime that punches well above its size. It is razor-sharp from f/1.8, controls coma well enough for serious astrophotography, and weighs a fraction of competing 14mm lenses. The trade-offs are the fixed focal length, the rear-only filter system, and a premium price for a specialist angle of view.

Strengths

— Outstanding center sharpness wide open at f/1.8, holding through f/11
— Remarkably compact and light for the class at 460g, far smaller than rival 14mm primes
— f/1.8 ultra-wide aperture is a serious tool for Milky Way and astro work

Watch-outs

— Bulbous front element means no front filter thread; uses a rear filter holder only
— Some wavy distortion that benefits from the correction profile
— Fixed 14mm focal length offers no framing flexibility

$1,698 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary

It is the value rival to the Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD, starting a millimeter wider at 16mm and taking 72mm filters versus Tamron's 67mm, while weighing a touch more at 450g. Like the Tamron it undercuts the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II by well over $1,000 but gives up that lens's reach to 35mm and full weather sealing. It offers zoom flexibility the Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM and FE 20mm F1.8 G primes lack.

Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM

It goes wider and brighter than any zoom here, including the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II, making it the astro and low-light specialist of the group. Compared with the Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G it is wider and pricier but loses the front filter thread. The fixed 14mm view is the trade-off versus flexible options like the Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary	Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM
Focal Length	16-28mm	14mm
Max Aperture	f/2.8 (constant)	f/1.8
Mount	Sony E (full-frame)	Sony E (full-frame)
Weight	450g	460g
Filter Thread	72mm	—
Stabilization	None (relies on in-body IS)	None (relies on in-body IS)
Optical Construction	16 elements in 11 groups	—
Aperture Blades	9	9
Filter	—	Rear filter holder (no front thread)
Dimensions	—	83 x 99.8mm

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