Panasonic LUMIX S 24-105mm f/4 MACRO O.I.S. vs Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount)

The bottom line

The Panasonic LUMIX S 24-105mm f/4 MACRO O.I.S. is a zoom (24-105mm) and the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount) is a 50mm prime. The zoom gives you framing flexibility from one lens; the prime trades that for a fixed focal length that's usually brighter (f/1.2 vs f/4) and lighter to carry. Choose flexibility or a fast single focal length.

Choose the Panasonic LUMIX S 24-105mm f/4 MACRO O.I.S. if…

  • You need more reach — it goes to 105mm vs 50mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport.
  • You shoot wide — it starts at 24mm vs 50mm for landscapes, interiors and architecture.
  • You want one-lens flexibility — a 24-105mm zoom covers what the fixed 50mm can't reframe.
  • You shoot handheld or on an unstabilised body — it has optical stabilisation, the other doesn't.

Choose the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount) if…

  • You want more light and background blur — f/1.2 is faster than f/4, better for low light and subject separation.
  • You prefer a fast, compact single focal length — a 50mm prime over a zoom.

Where they differ

  • Aperture: the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount) opens to f/1.2 vs the Panasonic LUMIX S 24-105mm f/4 MACRO O.I.S.'s f/4 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.
  • Focal range: Panasonic LUMIX S 24-105mm f/4 MACRO O.I.S. is 24-105mm, Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount) is 50mm — different framing and reach.
  • Type: the Panasonic LUMIX S 24-105mm f/4 MACRO O.I.S. is a zoom (flexible framing), the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount) a prime (one focal length, usually brighter and lighter).
  • Price: the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount) is $999, $100 under the Panasonic LUMIX S 24-105mm f/4 MACRO O.I.S..
  • Stabilisation: only the Panasonic LUMIX S 24-105mm f/4 MACRO O.I.S. has optical stabilisation — steadier handheld shots, especially on bodies without IBIS.
  • Close-up: the Panasonic LUMIX S 24-105mm f/4 MACRO O.I.S. reaches 0.5x magnification vs 0.15x — more for close-up and macro work.

Frequently asked

Is the Panasonic LUMIX S 24-105mm f/4 MACRO O.I.S. or the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount) better?

The Panasonic LUMIX S 24-105mm f/4 MACRO O.I.S. is a zoom (24-105mm) and the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount) is a 50mm prime. The zoom gives you framing flexibility from one lens; the prime trades that for a fixed focal length that's usually brighter (f/1.2 vs f/4) and lighter to carry. Choose flexibility or a fast single focal length.

Who should choose the Panasonic LUMIX S 24-105mm f/4 MACRO O.I.S.?

Choose the Panasonic LUMIX S 24-105mm f/4 MACRO O.I.S. if you need more reach — it goes to 105mm vs 50mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport. Choose it if you shoot wide — it starts at 24mm vs 50mm for landscapes, interiors and architecture. Choose it if you want one-lens flexibility — a 24-105mm zoom covers what the fixed 50mm can't reframe. Choose it if you shoot handheld or on an unstabilised body — it has optical stabilisation, the other doesn't.

Who should choose the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount)?

Choose the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount) if you want more light and background blur — f/1.2 is faster than f/4, better for low light and subject separation. Choose it if you prefer a fast, compact single focal length — a 50mm prime over a zoom.

What is the main difference between the Panasonic LUMIX S 24-105mm f/4 MACRO O.I.S. and the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount)?

Aperture: the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount) opens to f/1.2 vs the Panasonic LUMIX S 24-105mm f/4 MACRO O.I.S.'s f/4 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.

Product
Optical Design
Focal Length24-105mm50mm
Lens TypeZoomPrime
Optical Elements1617
Optical Groups1412
Aperture & Iris
Maximum Aperturef/4f/1.2
Minimum Aperturef/22f/16
Aperture Blades99
Rounded ApertureYesYes
Coverage & Angle
Format CoverageFull-FrameFull-Frame
Lens MountL-MountL-Mount
Angle of View84° – 23°47°
35mm Equivalent
Focus
AutofocusYesYes
Focus MotorSteppingHLA
Focus LimiterNoNo
AF/MF SwitchYesYes
Min Focus Distance30 cm40 cm
Max Magnification0.5x0.15x
Stabilization & Video
Optical StabilizationYesNo
Aperture RingNoYes
Declickable ApertureNoYes
ParfocalNoNo
Internal ZoomNoNo
General
Price (MSRP)$1,099$999
Filter Size77mm72mm
Diameter84mm85mm
Length118mm102mm
Weight680g (1.50 lb)750g (1.65 lb)
Weather SealedYesYes
Tripod CollarNoNo