Sigma Contemporary 30mm f/1.4 DC DN 30mm
Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S 35mm
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 Z 35mm f/1.8 S 35mm
The Nikon 35mm f/1.8 lens is widely praised for its sharpness, fast autofocus, and excellent low-light performance, making it a favorite for street, portrait, and everyday photography. Many users highlight its lightweight build and value for money, though some note that it is not as sharp as the 50mm S lens and can suffer from vignetting and corner softness wide open. A few reviewers also mention quality control issues and a plastic feel, but overall it is considered a solid, versatile prime lens.
Pros
- Sharp images edge-to-edge
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Excellent low-light performance
- Lightweight and compact design
- Great value for the price
Cons
- Vignetting and corner softness wide open
- Not as sharp as 50mm S lens
- Plastic build feels cheap
- Quality control issues reported
- Overpriced compared to alternatives
Scores
Specifications
| Sigma Contemporary 30mm f/1.4 DC DN 30mm | Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S 35mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | prime | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 30 mm | 35 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 30 mm | 35 mm |
| Elements | 9 | 8 |
| Groups | 7 | 6 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 5★ | 2 |
| Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating | Super Integrated Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | f/1.4 | f/1.8 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Nikon F |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.27 kg | 0.20 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 52 mm | 52 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | HSM | Silent Wave Motor |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✗ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 5 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 300 mm | 250 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:7.14 | 1:6.25 |
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 Z 35mm f/1.8 S 35mm
- Strong social proof (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong build (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong macro (75th percentile)
- Below average bokeh (31st percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Pricing
Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S 35mm offers 1.4x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 83 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 22 specs.
