Sigma Contemporary 30mm f/1.4 DC DN 30mm
Pentax Limited Series 23010 40mm
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
Pentax Limited Series 23010 40mm
The Pentax HD DA 20-40mm f/2.8-4 ED Limited DC WR lens is highly praised for its superb build quality, sharpness, and beautiful color rendition. Users love it as a versatile walk-around lens for street photography and landscapes, especially on APS-C bodies like the K-3. The main drawbacks are its variable aperture and a price that many feel is too high for the performance gain over kit lenses.
Pros
- Superb build quality
- Excellent sharpness
- Beautiful color rendition
- Weather resistant
- Versatile focal range for street and landscape
Cons
- Variable aperture (f/2.8-4)
- High price for performance gain
- Limited zoom range
- Not as wide as some kit lenses
Scores
Specifications
| Sigma Contemporary 30mm f/1.4 DC DN 30mm | Pentax Limited Series 23010 40mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | prime | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 30 mm | 20 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 30 mm | 40 mm |
| Elements | 9 | 9 |
| Groups | 7 | 8 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 5★ | 1 |
| Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating | HD coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 | f/4 |
| Min Aperture | f/1.4 | 2.8-4 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 | 9 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Pentax K |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.27 kg★ | 0.28 kg |
| Filter Thread | 52 mm | 55 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | HSM | DC |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 300 mm | 280 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:7.14 | 1:5 |
Pros & Cons
Sigma Contemporary 30mm f/1.4 DC DN 30mm
- Strong aperture (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong bokeh (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong social proof (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong build (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
- Below average stabilization (35th percentile)
Pentax Limited Series 23010 40mm
- Strong social proof (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong build (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong bokeh (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Strong macro (73rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (35th percentile)
Pricing
Sigma Contemporary 30mm f/1.4 DC DN 30mm offers 1.7x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 78 overall, wins 6 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 21 specs.
