Sigma
70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro
 vs
Pentax SMC
55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro
Much more magnification 1:1 (1x) vs 1:5.9 (0.2x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects around 6x larger in your photo
Slightly cheaper $449.00 vs $796.95
Help
 The best price we've seen is $348 cheaper (more than 40% less)
Slightly better telephoto 70 mm vs 55 mm
Help
 Around 30% more reach, less perspective distortion
Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Learn more about
the Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro

Reasons to consider the Pentax 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM
Has a silent focus motor Pentax SDM vs None
Help
 Focuses quickly and silently
Significantly wider aperture f/1.4 vs f/2.8
Help
 At its widest, the 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM captures much more light, 2 f-stops
Slightly better wide angle 55 mm vs 70 mm
Help
 More than 20% better wide angle
Slightly lighter 375 g vs 0.5 kg
Help
 Around 30% lighter
Pentax SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM Learn more about
the Pentax 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Prime lens Fixed focal length prime lenses Help
Typically very sharp
Zoom range Poor zoom Help
1x

Compared to portrait lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses

LensHero is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Max focal length Poor telephoto Help
70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro:70 mm
55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM:55 mm

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Pentax SMC DA 70mm f/2.4

Pentax SMC DA 70mm f/2.4

Low light lens

$697
Length Is shorter
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the SMC DA 70mm f/2.4 vs the 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro
Compare the SMC DA 70mm f/2.4 vs the SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM
Pentax SMC FA 77mm f/1.8

Pentax SMC FA 77mm f/1.8

Low light lens

$1,047
Compare the SMC FA 77mm f/1.8 vs the 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro
Compare the SMC FA 77mm f/1.8 vs the SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM
Pentax SMC DA FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro

Pentax SMC DA FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro

Macro lens

$847
Wide maximum Has a higher max f/stop
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the SMC DA FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro vs the 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro
Compare the SMC DA FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro vs the SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM

Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

Wide angle lens

$739
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Min focal length Better wide angle
Magnification Much less magnification
Prime lens Is a zoom lens
Compare the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM vs the 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro
Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Canon-ef

Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Canon-ef

Macro lens

$369
Wide maximum Much narrower aperture
Length Shorter
Max focal length Slightly worse telephoto
Compare the 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Canon-ef vs the 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro
Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM

Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM

Low light lens

$370
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Aperture Wider aperture
Magnification Much less magnification
Min focal length Slightly worse wide angle
Compare the 85mm f/1.8 USM vs the 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM

Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM

Macro lens

$419
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Wide maximum Significantly narrower aperture
Compare the EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM vs the 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro
Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 85mm f/3.5G ED VR

Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 85mm f/3.5G ED VR

Macro lens

$527
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Aperture Narrower aperture
Min focal length Slightly worse wide angle
Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 85mm f/3.5G ED VR vs the 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro

Pentax SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Zeiss Distagon 25mm f/2.8 ZK T* Pentax-k

Zeiss Distagon 25mm f/2.8 ZK T* Pentax-k

Lens

$948
Min focal length Slightly better wide angle
Auto focus Auto focus
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Compare the Distagon 25mm f/2.8 ZK T* Pentax-k vs the SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Pentax-k

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Pentax-k

Low light lens

$499
Lowest price Slightly cheaper
Magnification Slightly less magnification
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Pentax-k vs the SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM
Pentax SMC FA 31mm f/1.8

Pentax SMC FA 31mm f/1.8

Low light lens

$1,297
Min focal length Slightly better wide angle
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8 vs the SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

Low light lens

$1,439
Aperture Slightly wider aperture
Lowest price Slightly more expensive
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the EF 50mm f/1.2L USM vs the SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM
Pentax SMC DA 40mm f/2.8 XS

Pentax SMC DA 40mm f/2.8 XS

Lens

$247
Weight Slightly lighter
Lowest price Slightly cheaper
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Aperture Significantly narrower aperture
Compare the SMC DA 40mm f/2.8 XS vs the SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM

discussion Which do you think is better?

Speech is free, but discussion at LensHero is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of these lenses here, and discuss feedback for LensHero at our support community.

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