Published: July 20, 2015
DxO Tests show that Sony’s FE 90 F2.8 Macro G OSS (DxOMark Score: 40) not only blows away Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens (DxOMark Score: 28) it even beats the pricier Zeiss Makro-Planar T* 100mm f/2 ZF.2 Lens (DxOMark Score: 39) proving what those who’ve tried the Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro have already seen with our own eyes – not only does Sony have the best technology, they’re kicking the other guys glass!
Quoting DxO:
“With some innovative cameras in the range, Sony is beginning to fill out the E-mount system with some useful high-quality lenses, and the FE 90mm f2.8 macro is up there with the best in terms of optical quality. The only downside, perhaps, is that the lens is at odds with the perceived benefits for buying into mirrorless systems: sure, the bodies are smaller, but this lens is not significantly smaller nor lighter than rival options. Be that as it may, there’s little wrong with the optical quality of the Sony FE 90mm f2.8 Macro G OSS, and if the size or weight isn’t an issue, then it can be easily recommended.”
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10 thoughts on “DxO Tests: Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro Kicks Canon’s Glass!”
Good morning from NY! Just wondering. I’m a Somy user and I find it completely unfair to say that the 90mm F2.8 smokes Canon glass. After all, this was tested on the 7R which has 36 mp. Would it still smoke it if Canon’s 100mm was tested on their new 50mp monster? Just saying.
You can’t blame Sony for the quality of Canon’s sensors. Canon L lenses generally perform a couple points better on Sony a7R than they do on Canon cameras but that 28 point score isn’t going to jump to 40…
Good morning Brian!
And test the Zeiss Makro-Planar T * 100mm f / 2 ZE Lens with a sony to 7R, you do not think that would rise much more than 40 points
The Zeiss Makro-Planar was tested on D810 which is essentially the same Sony sensor.
I just did that test on DXO. When you put the 100mm L on the (50mp) 5DS, the DXO score jumps to 34. Certainly better than on the 5D-III, but still quite far behind the Sony 90mm. Now put the Sony 90mm on a A7R-II and the score jumps to 47!
So, even if you take DXO with a good deal of salt, I think it’s fair to say that the Sony 90mm beats the Canon 100mm easily. In sharpness, chromatic aberration AND transmission. It just seems to have a bit more distortion.
IMO this is not a shame for the 100mm L. After all, it’s been the standard for a very long time. But as technology gets better, so does glass. It just implies that Canon should start to feel the heat. Because their glass was always their stronghold.
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And GEE, the Sony lens is only 20% more $$$ than the Canon. A bargain for number oriented lens buyers.
Yup! Sony FE 90 F2.8 Macro G OSS may be the BEST BARGAIN you will find. It’s only slightly more expensive than the Canon Macro yet MUCH sharper!
I see the results of tests Really Like the SONY Macro. Is it really better IN USE than the Canon?
I’ve seen many examples in Hi-End audio where a good measuring component sounds poorly or simply gets no market traction.
In the case of SONY? While this Macro is really nice and tempting, I’m about to junk out my NEX-7 because of Expensive / Poor glass. The 35mm 1.8? Very nice but at 450$ list? And my 18-200 which is awful past about 100mm. With dark corners, too boot.
As good as the FE Macro doubtless is, I’m no longer a Sony guy. I sold some EOS gear and ‘L’ Glass for my NEX, hoping they’d have some good and affordable lenses in the future.
I’m going back to the Mirrorless ‘R’ and check it out.
Yes. Sony FE 90 F2.8 Macro G OSS is MUCH better in every way. Canon L Macro doesn’t even come close.
NEX-7 was long ago discontinued and Sony is now five generations ahead of it in terms of mirrorless technology. EOS-R lacks IBIS and a tiny battery which places it somewhere between a7 Mark I and II cameras, but it’s a nice start.