Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN
Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF 23mm
What Buyers Say
Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary is widely praised as a compact, lightweight, and sharp standard zoom for APS-C mirrorless cameras. Users consistently highlight its excellent image quality, fast f/2.8 aperture, and affordable price as major strengths, making it a popular upgrade from kit lenses. Common criticisms include the lack of optical stabilization and a poorly designed lens hood, but overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.
Pros
- Excellent image sharpness
- Compact and lightweight design
- Fast f/2.8 constant aperture
- Great value for the price
- Fast and silent autofocus
Cons
- No optical image stabilization
- Poorly designed lens hood
- No weather sealing
- Plastic build quality
- Zoom ring direction opposite to Fujifilm
Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF 23mm
The Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 is widely praised as an outstanding value lens for APS-C cameras, offering sharp images, fast and quiet autofocus, and solid metal construction at a fraction of the price of OEM equivalents like the Fuji 23mm f/1.4. Reviewers consistently note its excellent low-light performance and pleasing bokeh. However, some users report noticeable chromatic aberration in high-contrast scenes, occasional autofocus glitches or camera lock-ups with certain bodies, and a tendency for the aperture ring to be accidentally bumped. A few users also experienced firmware incompatibility after updating their Nikon cameras, rendering the lens unusable.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Very sharp images, even wide open
- Fast and quiet autofocus
- Solid metal build quality
- Pleasing bokeh
Cons
- Noticeable chromatic aberration in high-contrast scenes
- Aperture ring easily bumped unintentionally
- Occasional autofocus glitches or camera lock-ups
- Firmware incompatibility after Nikon camera updates
- Flare susceptibility
Scores
Specifications
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF 23mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 23 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 50 mm | 23 mm |
| Elements | 13 | 11 |
| Groups | 10 | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 1 | 2★ |
| Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating | HD Nano Multi-Layer Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.4 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.4 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Nikon Z |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.29 kg | 0.26 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | 52 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | stepping motor | STM★ |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 121 mm★ | 300 mm |
| Max Magnification | 1:2.8★ | 0.1x |
Pros & Cons
Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong macro (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong aperture (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Below average stabilization (35th percentile)
Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF 23mm
- Strong aperture (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong bokeh (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong social proof (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Below average macro (32nd percentile)
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
- Below average stabilization (35th percentile)
Pricing
Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF 23mm offers 2.3x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 98 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 21 specs.
