Sigma Contemporary 30mm f/1.4 DC DN 30mm
Nikon NIKKOR 2211 55mm
What Buyers Say
Sigma Contemporary 30mm f/1.4 DC DN 30mm
The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, fast f/1.4 aperture, and beautiful bokeh, making it a favorite for low-light and portrait photography on APS-C cameras. Users consistently highlight its solid build quality and excellent value for money. However, some reviewers report inconsistent autofocus, particularly at longer distances, and occasional chromatic aberration or vignetting wide open. A few copies have exhibited noisy or unreliable AF motors, especially in video mode.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- Beautiful bokeh
- Solid build quality
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Inconsistent autofocus at distance
- Chromatic aberration wide open
- Vignetting wide open
- Noisy AF motor in some copies
- Soft corners at f/1.4
Nikon NIKKOR 2211 55mm
This Nikon 18-55mm VR II lens is widely praised as an excellent value kit lens replacement. Users highlight its sharpness, compact size, light weight, and improved close-focus ability over older versions. A few note minor quirks like the lock mechanism and potential shadow from the on-camera flash, but overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Sharp image quality
- Compact and lightweight
- Improved close focus ability
- Effective vibration reduction
Cons
- Lock mechanism can confuse new users
- On-camera flash shadow at close focus
- Plastic mount feels less durable
- Slower autofocus than pro lenses
- No weather sealing
Scores
Specifications
| Sigma Contemporary 30mm f/1.4 DC DN 30mm | Nikon NIKKOR 2211 55mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | prime | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 30 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 30 mm | 55 mm |
| Elements | 9 | — |
| Groups | 7 | — |
| Aspherical Elements | 2★ | — |
| ED Elements | 5★ | 2 |
| Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 | f/5.6 |
| Min Aperture | f/1.4 | f/3.5 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | — |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Nikon F |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.27 kg | 0.20 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 52 mm | — |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | HSM | AF-S |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 4 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 300 mm | 55 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:7.14★ | — |
Pros & Cons
Sigma Contemporary 30mm f/1.4 DC DN 30mm
- Strong aperture (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong bokeh (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong social proof (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong build (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Nikon NIKKOR 2211 55mm
- Strong macro (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
Verdict
Both products are closely matched - Sigma Contemporary 30mm f/1.4 DC DN 30mm wins 6 specs while Nikon NIKKOR 2211 55mm wins 4.