Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary E-mount lens review by QuietOC

reviewer#44156 date: Oct-30-2018
sharpness: 3.5
color: 4
build: 3
distortion: 3
flare control: 4
overall: 3.5
tested on:
  • film camera:Film camera
  • APS-C: 6MP6 MP; 10MP10 MP; 12MP12 MP; 14MP14 MP; 16MP16 MP; 20MP20 MP; 24MP24 MP
  • full frame: 12MP12 MP; 24MP24 MP; 36MP36 MP; 42MP42 MP; 61MP61 MP
ownership:I have experience with this lens
compared to:Canon EF 28 F1.8 USM
Sigma 28 F1.8 HS & EX DG
Minolta MD & AF 28 F2
Sony FE 28 F2
Canon EF 28 F2.8 IS USM
Minolta/Sony AF 28 F2.8
Neewer 28 F2.8
Sigma 30 F1.4 EX DC
Pentax 30 F2.8
Sigma 30 F2.8 DN Art
Sony DT 30 F2.8 Macro SAM
Neewer 32 F1.6
Zeiss Touit 32 F1.8
Neewer 35 F1.2
Fotasy 35 F1.6 APS-C
Kaxinda 35 F1.7
Sony E 35 F1.8 OSS
Sony DT 35 F1.8 SAM
Minolta MD 35 F1.8
Minolta AF 35 F2
Tamron 35 F2.8 OSD M1:2
Rokinon AF FE 35 F2.8
Sony FE 35 F2.8 Sonnar
price paid:286 USD (used)
positive:Bright
Good contrast
9 aperture blades
Lens Compensation
negative:Softness/aberrations
AF issues
Warm color cast
Curved focus plane
Moderate barrel distortion
Lack of optical stabilization
Size & weight
comment:I bid too much on this used lens on eBay. Sigma's retail price is $339. The lens did at least include all of the original packaging. "MADE IN JAPAN"

The barrel distortion is quite noticeable as is the axial chromatic aberration.

This lens has a directional glow on hard edges much like the older Sigma EX primes probably indicating an alignment issue. The corners are also very uneven with the top right being the worst. The little 30mm F2.8 DN Art lens has much better image quality.

PDAF points outside of the center on the A6000 do function in AF-C at least with the lens wide-open. Stop down any amount and points on the edges stop functioning.

rating summary

lens image
  • total reviews: 4
  • sharpness: 4.38
  • color: 4.50
  • build: 4.50
  • distortion: 3.75
  • flare control: 4.25
  • overall: 4.27
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