Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary
Announced February 23, 2016
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary is a compact, bright standard-angle prime that provides impressive sharpness and subject isolation at a highly accessible price point. While it delivers excellent center-frame performance, users should expect some barrel distortion and chromatic aberration that often require digital correction.
Weighted from 22 reviewer scores
Pros
- Highly affordable price point
- Fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus performance
- Compact, lightweight, and well-built design
- Excellent center sharpness and overall image quality
- Bright f/1.4 aperture for low-light versatility and smooth bokeh
Cons
- No built-in optical image stabilization
- Visible chromatic aberration and color fringing
- Lacks weather sealing
- Noticeable barrel distortion
- Softness in corners and edges
- Launch price $339 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 30mm f/1.4
- Mount & coverage Sony E, L-Mount, Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds, Canon EF APS-C
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 30 cm (0.14x)
- Filter thread 52mm
- Autofocus motor Stepper motor
- Weight & size 265g (9.3 oz) · 64.8 x 73.3 mm (2.55 x 2.89 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 22 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
Is this product missing a reputable review? Share a link to a review article or YouTube video for consideration.
- DPReview 87/100
The Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN | C is one of the sharpest lenses available for Sony E-mount, and costs less than many of the prime lenses it outperforms.
-
I believe everyone benefits from having a standard lens with a bright aperture in their collection, and the Sigma 30mm f1.4 DC DN is a high quality and relatively affordable option for owners of cropped-frame mirrorless cameras.
-
With a new retail price of around $339 [...] it is hard to really fault this lens.
-
The compact, lightweight Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens is a affordable choice for general-purpose use, with the wide f/1.4 aperture increasing this lens's versatility.
-
[T]he Sigma lens's build quality and electronics are a great fit for my EOS R7 camera, but its optics are beginning to look dated at this point.
-
Its bokeh can look a little awkward sometimes, and its barrel distortion is a bit strong [...] but it's certainly become a fairly popular lens for Sony cameras [...] and it is undeniably good value for money, so I can recommend it.
-
If you look at the Micro 4/3 system’s line-up it is actually the best lens in its class available on the market.
-
Perhaps now we should describe the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 lens as a wolf in sheep's clothing, as its unassuming exterior houses a superb compact lens that really delivers the goods.
-
The modest asking price of the Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN C is very reasonable indeed for such a fast, well-built lens.
-
Lightweight in build and selling price, this is a high-performance standard prime that combines very good build quality and nice handling characteristics with solid all-round performance.
-
The Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary is a bright, crisp, standard-angle lens for most mirrorless camera systems.
-
The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 is a very good deal if you are looking for a standard lens for the Sony E-mount system.
-
A 30mm focal length on APS-C cameras yields an equivalent focal length of 45mm, making it a standard (in terms of field of view) solution suitable for a wide range of photographic tasks. The Sigma 30/1.4 C DC DN is a versatile prime lens for everyday use.
-
If you plan on using this lens mostly for shooting people or for street work, I think you’ll be very pleased with the 30mm f/1.4. It does a very nice job in these situations, producing images with a really nice look.
-
I gotta say both the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary and 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary lenses are excellent values for the dollar. They're very sharp wide open, the sharpness fall-off is really not bad at all, even in the corners.
-
I can happily recommend this lens. It's sharp, the optics are excellent, it's well made, and the price point is more than reasonable.
-
The Sigma 30mm F1.4 is a great option for anyone who is looking for a standard prime lens that is relatively lightweight and good value for money.
-
It has a lot going for it, such as, it’s compactness, lightness, being well made, and having excellent autofocus.
-
So for what it is and what's available, this thing has phenomenal value, and I give it four and a half stars.
-
[T]he Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary is a fantastic lens that offers value for money. Whether you're a photographer or a videographer, this lens can be a valuable addition to your kit.
-
It is a huge advance from the last design, this stuff much better than the old rattley Art lenses, although image quality wise the 60 is still killer.
-
The Sigma 30-mil F1.4 is a mighty all-round lens, and that is what you want from a lens, especially as a beginner. You can shoot products, portraits, and landscapes, cars, and street photography with this lens.
