Head to head

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM vs Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

A direct, no-fluff comparison: specs, pros and cons, pricing, and the scenarios where each one earns its keep.

Spec snapshot

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USMSigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art
Price (USD)$2899$899
Our rating4.7/54.6/5
Categorycamera-lensescamera-lenses
Pros33
Cons21

The case for each

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM

4.7

Pros

  • +500mm reach in a manageable size
  • +Sharp throughout zoom
  • +5-stop IS

Cons

  • Variable aperture
  • Slow at 500mm in low light
Full review →

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

4.6

Pros

  • +Excellent value
  • +Fast and accurate AF
  • +Solid weather sealing

Cons

  • Slightly larger than first-party 35mm options
Full review →

Winner by use case

Vlogging & videoTie
Low-light photographyTie
Value for moneyTie
Pro & enterprise useTie
BeginnersTie

Inferred from each camera's pros and review focus. Treat as a starting point, then read the full reviews for nuance.

Common questions

Is the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM better than the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art?

It depends on what you shoot. Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM scores 4.7/5 in our review, while the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art scores 4.6/5. See the spec table and use-case breakdown above for our verdict.

Which is cheaper, the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM or the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art?

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM sells around $2899, and Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art around $899. The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art is the cheaper of the two.

Which one is better for beginners?

Both are capable, but beginners usually do better with whichever has the simpler interface and more forgiving autofocus. Read the "Winner by use case" section above for our specific call.

Should I upgrade from the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM to the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art?

Only if the gap in features you actually use is wide. If you already own one, the marginal upgrade is rarely worth the cost unless a specific shortcoming is blocking your work.

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