Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Review
The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 offers a bright aperture for low light, but its autofocus and optical sharpness show their age. At $599, it's hard to recommend over newer alternatives.
Overview
The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 is a classic fast prime for Canon APS-C cameras. It gives you a 50mm equivalent field of view, which is perfect for portraits and everyday shooting. With an f/1.4 aperture, it's built to let in a ton of light and create that nice, soft background blur.
This lens is from Sigma's older EX line, so don't expect the latest coatings or build quality. It's a straightforward tool: a sharp, bright prime lens that gets the job done without a lot of fuss or extra features like stabilization.
Performance
This lens is all about that f/1.4 aperture. It lands in the 88th percentile for aperture, so it's seriously bright and great in low light. The bokeh quality is also solid, ranking in the 82nd percentile. Where it stumbles is autofocus and sharpness. The AF system is in the 45th percentile, so it can hunt a bit in low contrast, and overall optical performance is only in the 35th percentile. You'll get sharp photos in the center, but the corners can be soft, especially wide open.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong macro (93th percentile) 95th
- Strong aperture (88th percentile) 88th
- Strong bokeh (82th percentile) 82th
Cons
- Below average stabilization (35th percentile) 35th
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Wide-Angle |
| Focal Length Min | 30 |
| Focal Length Max | 30 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 |
Build
| Mount | Canon EF-S |
| Weight | 0.4 kg / 1.0 lbs |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 30 |
Value & Pricing
At its original price, this lens was a decent value for the aperture. Now, at $599, it's a tough sell. You're paying for an older design with middling autofocus and no stabilization. For the same money or less, you can find newer lenses with better optics and faster, quieter AF motors.
vs Competition
Stack it up against the Viltrox 35mm F1.7, and the Viltrox is cheaper, smaller, and often just as sharp. The Sigma's main advantage is that extra bit of light from f/1.4. Against the Canon EF-S 17-85mm zoom, you lose versatility but gain over two stops of light, which is huge for portraits or indoors. The Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S is in another league for build and optics, but it's also for a different camera system and costs more.
| Spec | Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Viltrox Air VILTROX 35mm F1.7 f/1.7 Air AF Lens for Fuji X | Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony | Canon RF Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens | Fujifilm VILTROX 56mm F1.4 STM APS-C Frame Auto Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 30mm | 55mm | 35mm | 17-70mm | 24mm | - |
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 | f/1.4 | f/1.7 | f/2.8 | f/1.8 | f/1.4 |
| Mount | Canon EF-S | Nikon Z | Fujifilm X | Sony E-Mount, Sony E-Mount, Sony E-Mount, Sony E-Mount, Sony E-M | Canon RF | Fujifilm X |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | false | true |
| Weight (g) | 431 | 281 | 400 | 544 | 272 | 320 |
| AF Type | - | STM | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | STM |
| Lens Type | Wide-Angle | - | - | Wide-Angle Zoom | Wide-Angle | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Af | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM | 46.4 | 81.8 | 59.3 | 94.6 | 34.6 | 88.1 | 37.5 | 76.5 | 37.9 |
| Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF STM Compare | 95.6 | 81.8 | 81.1 | 89.1 | 67.5 | 88.1 | 37.5 | 89.9 | 87.8 |
| Viltrox Air 35mm F1.7 f/1.7 AF Compare | 95.6 | 73.6 | 63.4 | 93.2 | 74 | 80.5 | 37.5 | 95.1 | 87.8 |
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 -A VC RXD Compare | 46.4 | 59.2 | 64.3 | 77.4 | 90.8 | 54.6 | 92.5 | 95.1 | 87.8 |
| Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Compare | 46.4 | 81.8 | 87.6 | 81 | 82.5 | 75.8 | 37.5 | 98 | 99.9 |
| Fujifilm VILTROX 56mm F1.4 STM APS-C Frame Auto Focus Standard Prime Compare | 95.6 | 81.8 | 88.8 | 85.3 | 34.6 | 88.1 | 37.5 | 86.7 | 87.8 |
Verdict
Only buy this lens if you find it used for a significant discount, like under $300, and you absolutely need f/1.4 on a budget. For everyone else, especially Canon APS-C shooters, look at the newer Sigma Contemporary lenses or third-party options like Viltrox. They offer better performance for similar or lower prices.