Sigma Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens for Canon Digital Review

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.