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Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD — Prime/zoom
Tamron

Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD

Prime/zoom

87
/ 100
From $1,299
VS
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art wins by 5
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art — Prime/Zoom
Sigma

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

Prime/Zoom

92
/ 100
From $1,199
Specdex verdict

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD lands at 87 and Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art at 92. That puts Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ahead by 5 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD if…

  • ✓Proven optical formula
  • ✓Weather-sealing (L/GM/S)
  • ✓Strong resale

Pick Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art if…

  • ✓Fast autofocus
  • ✓Weather-sealed
  • ✓Premium optics
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Build

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

Compared on the build sub-score

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art leads on build (94 vs 90).

Sharpness

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

Compared on the sharpness sub-score

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art leads on sharpness (92 vs 87).

Autofocus

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

Compared on the autofocus sub-score

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art leads on af (91 vs 83).

Value for money

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art more score per dollar ($1,199 vs $1,299).

Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD 87
vs
92 Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

Score breakdown

Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
87
sharpness 87
af 83
build 90
value 86
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art
92
sharpness 92
af 91
build 94
value 84

Specs side-by-side

Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD versus Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art — full spec comparison
Spec Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD

Pros
  • +Proven optical formula
  • +Weather-sealing (L/GM/S)
  • +Strong resale
Cons
  • −Mount-specific
  • −Older AF motor on some
  • −Heavier than modern counterparts

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

Pros
  • +Fast autofocus
  • +Weather-sealed
  • +Premium optics
Cons
  • −Heavy
  • −Expensive
  • −Focus breathing varies

FAQ: Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD vs Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

Which is better, Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD or Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art? +

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 5. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD worth the price? +

At $1,299, Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD delivers a Specdex score of 87 — strongest in build.

Is Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art worth the price? +

At $1,199, Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in build.

Does Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD or Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for build, Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD or Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art? +

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art — leads on build (94 vs 90). Compared on the build sub-score.

Which is better for sharpness, Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD or Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art? +

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art — leads on sharpness (92 vs 87). Compared on the sharpness sub-score.