Sigma Contemporary 56mm f/1.4 DC DN 56mm
Nikon NIKKOR AF-P 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
What Buyers Say
Sigma Contemporary 56mm f/1.4 DC DN 56mm
This Sigma 56mm f/1.4 lens is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and compact build, making it a top choice for portrait and street photography on APS-C and Micro Four Thirds cameras. Users consistently highlight its fast and reliable autofocus, excellent low-light performance, and outstanding value for the price compared to pricier native alternatives. A few users noted minor issues such as a very long manual focus throw, occasional focus misses in low contrast light, and a lack of an aperture ring, but these are far outweighed by the general enthusiasm. Despite isolated reports of poor retailer packaging, the overwhelming sentiment is that this lens delivers professional-quality results at an affordable price.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness at f/1.4
- Beautiful bokeh and background blur
- Fast and reliable autofocus
- Compact and lightweight build
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Very long manual focus throw
- No aperture ring
- Occasional focus misses in low contrast
- Not compatible with all camera mounts
- Poor retail packaging by some sellers
Nikon NIKKOR AF-P 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
The Nikon AF-P 18-55mm lens receives mixed feedback. Many users praise its sharpness, silent autofocus in video mode, and lightweight design, but compatibility issues with older Nikon cameras like the D5000 and D3300 (without firmware update) are a recurring complaint. Some users report defective units where autofocus fails entirely, while others find it a significant upgrade over older AF-S lenses for video work.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Silent autofocus in video mode
- Lightweight and compact design
- Fast autofocus speed
- Good value for money
Cons
- Compatibility issues with older cameras
- Autofocus failure on some units
- Zoom noise picked up by internal mic
- No VR or manual focus button on lens
- Requires firmware update for some cameras
Scores
Specifications
| Sigma Contemporary 56mm f/1.4 DC DN 56mm | Nikon NIKKOR AF-P 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | prime | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 56 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 56 mm | 55 mm |
| Elements | 10 | — |
| Groups | 6 | — |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 | 2 |
| ED Elements | 1★ | — |
| Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating | Super Integrated Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | f/1.4 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon Z | Nikon F |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.28 kg | 0.20 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | 52 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | stepping motor | Pulse motor (stepping motor) |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 4 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 500 mm | 83 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:7.14★ | — |
Pros & Cons
Sigma Contemporary 56mm f/1.4 DC DN 56mm
- Strong aperture (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong bokeh (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong social proof (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong build (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (35th percentile)
Nikon NIKKOR AF-P 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong macro (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong build (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (17th percentile)17th %ile
Pricing
Nikon NIKKOR AF-P 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR offers 3.8x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 87 overall, wins 4 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 22 specs.
