Sigma A 50 mm f/1.2 DG DN
4. Image resolution
Let’s check how the tested Sigma A 50 mm f/1.2 DG DN compares here. A graph below presents the results in the frame centre, on the edge of the APS-C/DX sensor and on the edge of full frame.
The performance in the frame centre will be much easier to assess if you compare it to that of the direct rivals. Another graph shows the performance of the new Sigma, the previous 1.4/50 model, and the Sony FE 50 mm f/1.2 GM.
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Very even and practically identical performance of all lenses from the f/2.8 aperture upwards sticks out at once. Officially the results of the Sigma A 50 mm f/1.2 DG DN are the highest (81.6 lpmm by f/2.8 and 81.4 by f/4.0), surpassing the results of two other lenses by 1-3 lpmm, but you have to remember that measuring errors reach here a level of 1-1.5 lpmm so are in the 1-sigma limits comparable to each other, practically indistinguishable in real photos. In other words all three lenses, presented here, from f/2.8 upwards perform in an outstanding way.
The area around the maximum relative aperture is much more interesting. The results of the new Sigma exceed 50 lpmm and are noticeably better than the results of the Sigma A 50 mm f/1.4 DG DN. That's what we expect from a newer, and faster lens.
The tested Sigma still isn't able to outperform the much more expensive Sony model as its results are noticeably better by f/1.2 and f/1.4. Still, already by f/2.0 the performance of both instruments becomes identical.
When it comes to the edge of the APS-C/DX sensor the new Sigma should be praised as well. At the maximum relative aperture we get a result of over 47 lpmm so images you get at that point are fully useful. What's more, by f/2.8 and f/4.0 you observe a very high level of 70 lpmm. No reservations at this point, especially that the maximum results of the Sigma are better than these of the more expensive Sony model. On the other hand near the maximum relative aperture the Sony fares better for a change, with a result of over 52 lpmm.
When it comes to the edge of full frame once again you can't find any weak points. Even by f/1.2 the new Sigma is able to reach a result near 43 lpmm so a bit over the decency level. The situation we observed on the edge of the APS-C/DX repeats itself: near the maximum relative aperture the more expensive Sony model fares better than the Sigma but on more significant stopping down the Sigma prevails. To sum up, when it comes to resolution the tested Sigma A 50 mm f/1.2 DG DN doesn't have any weak point. It offers you an excellent f/1.2 aperture and also a splendid image quality across the frame up from the maximum relative aperture. A round of applause!
At the end of this chapter we present crops taken from our testing image in the frame centre. It’s worth remembering that those are JPEG files (with the lowest sharpening level applied) saved along RAW files, used for the analysis presented above.
| A7R III, JPEG, 50 mm, f/1.2 |
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| A7R III, JPEG, 50 mm, f/2.8 |
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