Meike Neo Series 5514-E 55mm
Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN
What Buyers Say
Meike Neo Series 5514-E 55mm
The Meike 55mm f/1.4 lens delivers impressive sharpness, pleasing bokeh, and fast autofocus for Fuji APS-C cameras at a budget-friendly price. Users consistently praise its metal build and aperture ring, but note that firmware updates may require a specific USB-C to USB-A cable and a Windows computer to unlock full autofocus performance. Overall, it is considered an exceptional value, particularly for portrait and street photography.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness at f/1.4
- Pleasing bokeh and background separation
- Fast and reliable autofocus after firmware update
- Premium metal build with aperture ring
- Lightweight and compact design
Cons
- Firmware update requires specific USB-C to USB-A cable
- No firmware update support for Mac computers initially
- Plastic lens hood feels less premium
- Autofocus can hunt before firmware update
- Some chromatic aberration at wide apertures
Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN
The Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary lens is highly praised for its compact, lightweight design and sharp image quality, making it an excellent choice for travel and real estate photography on APS-C cameras. Users appreciate the fast f/2.8 aperture for low-light performance and pleasing background blur, though some note the lack of in-lens stabilization and the need for post-production correction of distortion and vignetting on certain camera systems.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight design
- Sharp image quality across frame
- Fast f/2.8 constant aperture
- Excellent for travel and landscapes
- Good low-light performance
Cons
- No in-lens image stabilization
- Distortion and vignetting need post-production correction
- Lacks aperture ring on some versions
- No USB dock for firmware updates
- In-camera focus stacking not supported on Canon R7
Scores
Specifications
| Meike Neo Series 5514-E 55mm | Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | prime | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 55 mm | 10 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 55 mm | 18 mm |
| Elements | 11 | 13 |
| Groups | 8 | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | — | 1★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 4★ |
| Coating | multilayered coatings | Super Multi-Layer Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/16 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/1.4 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon Z | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.29 kg | 0.26 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 52 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | STM★ | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 610 mm | 117 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | — | 1:4★ |
Pros & Cons
Meike Neo Series 5514-E 55mm
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong social proof (77th percentile)
- Strong build (75th percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN
- Strong social proof (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong macro (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong aperture (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong build (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Pricing
Meike Neo Series 5514-E 55mm offers 2.0x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 94 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 21 specs.