Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount) vs Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount)
The bottom line
These cover different focal lengths — the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount) is 100-400mm, the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) is 35mm — so they're not really substitutes. Pick by the field of view you actually need: the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount) for super-telephoto, the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) for short-telephoto / portrait.
Choose the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount) if…
- ✓You need more reach — it goes to 400mm vs 35mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport.
- ✓You want one-lens flexibility — a 100-400mm zoom covers what the fixed 35mm can't reframe.
- ✓You shoot handheld or on an unstabilised body — it has optical stabilisation, the other doesn't.
Choose the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) if…
- ✓You want more light and background blur — f/1.4 is faster than f/5, better for low light and subject separation.
- ✓You shoot wide — it starts at 35mm vs 100mm for landscapes, interiors and architecture.
- ✓You prefer a fast, compact single focal length — a 35mm prime over a zoom.
- ✓You value portability — at 645g (1.42 lb) it's lighter than the 1140g (2.51 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
Where they differ
- ›Aperture: the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) opens to f/1.4 vs the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount)'s f/5 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.
- ›Focal range: Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount) is 100-400mm, Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) is 35mm — different framing and reach.
- ›Type: the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount) is a zoom (flexible framing), the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) a prime (one focal length, usually brighter and lighter).
- ›Stabilisation: only the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount) has optical stabilisation — steadier handheld shots, especially on bodies without IBIS.
- ›Weight: the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) is 645g (1.42 lb) vs 1140g (2.51 lb) — you'll feel the difference handheld.
Frequently asked
Is the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount) or the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) better?
These cover different focal lengths — the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount) is 100-400mm, the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) is 35mm — so they're not really substitutes. Pick by the field of view you actually need: the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount) for super-telephoto, the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) for short-telephoto / portrait.
Who should choose the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount)?
Choose the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount) if you need more reach — it goes to 400mm vs 35mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport. Choose it if you want one-lens flexibility — a 100-400mm zoom covers what the fixed 35mm 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 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount)?
Choose the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) if you want more light and background blur — f/1.4 is faster than f/5, better for low light and subject separation. Choose it if you shoot wide — it starts at 35mm vs 100mm for landscapes, interiors and architecture. Choose it if you prefer a fast, compact single focal length — a 35mm prime over a zoom. Choose it if you value portability — at 645g (1.42 lb) it's lighter than the 1140g (2.51 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
What is the main difference between the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount) and the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount)?
Aperture: the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) opens to f/1.4 vs the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount)'s f/5 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Optical Design | ||
| Focal Length | 100-400mm | 35mm |
| Lens Type | Zoom | Prime |
| Optical Elements | 22 | 15 |
| Optical Groups | 16 | 11 |
| Aperture & Iris | ||
| Maximum Aperture | f/5 | f/1.4 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/32 | f/16 |
| Aperture Blades | 9 | 11 |
| Rounded Aperture | Yes | Yes |
| Coverage & Angle | ||
| Format Coverage | Full-Frame | Full-Frame |
| Lens Mount | L-Mount | L-Mount |
| Angle of View | 24° – 6° | 63° |
| 35mm Equivalent | − | − |
| Focus | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Focus Motor | HLA | HLA |
| Focus Limiter | Yes | No |
| AF/MF Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Min Focus Distance | 120 cm | 27 cm |
| Max Magnification | 0.24x | 0.19x |
| Stabilization & Video | ||
| Optical Stabilization | Yes | No |
| Aperture Ring | No | Yes |
| Declickable Aperture | No | Yes |
| Parfocal | No | No |
| Internal Zoom | No | No |
| General | ||
| Price (MSRP) | $759 | $799 |
| Filter Size | 67mm | 67mm |
| Diameter | 86mm | 75.9mm |
| Length | 196.6mm | 115.9mm |
| Weight | 1140g (2.51 lb) | 645g (1.42 lb) |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | No | No |
