Sigma Contemporary 30mm f/1.4 DC DN 30mm
Nikon NIKKOR AF-P 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
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 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 30mm f/1.4 DC DN 30mm | Nikon NIKKOR AF-P 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 2 |
| ED Elements | 5★ | — |
| 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 F | Nikon F |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.27 kg | 0.20 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 52 mm | 52 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | HSM | Pulse motor (stepping motor)★ |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 4 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 300 mm | 83 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 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
Sigma Contemporary 30mm f/1.4 DC DN 30mm
Nikon NIKKOR AF-P 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
No current pricing available
Verdict
Scores 87 overall, wins 5 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 22 specs.
