Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN C
Summary
The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN C is a solid optical performer — a standard prime (45mm equivalent) with f/1.4 maximum aperture. The lens is priced at approximately ~$500 USD. Please check the official product page for sample images, manuals, and firmware updates.
Genre Suitability
- Excellent for: Landscape, Street, Travel
- Adequate for: Nightscape, Architecture, Portrait, Sport, Wildlife
- Avoid for: Macro
Strengths
- Smooth, pleasant bokeh
- Weather-sealed construction
- Fast linear motor autofocus
Weaknesses
- Noticeably soft corners wide open
- Low macro capability (0.14x magnification)
Specifications 19/20
| Optical construction | 9 elements in 7 groups (2 aspherical) |
| Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating |
| Focal length | 30mm |
| Max aperture | f/1.4 |
| Sweet spot | f/2.8 |
| Aperture blades | 9 (circular) |
| Sunstar points | 18 (soft — circular blades) |
| Max magnification | 0.14x |
| Min focus distance | 300mm |
| AF motor | LM |
| OIS | No |
| Weather sealed | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| Clickless aperture | — |
| Focus ring | Yes |
| Focus by wire | Yes |
| Distance scale | No |
| Rotating front | No |
| Tripod mount | No |
| Weight | 280g |
| Diameter | 64.8mm |
| Length | 71.3mm |
| Filter thread | 52mm |
| Year | 2016 |
Optical Quality 12/14
| Center (wide open) | 1.0 |
| Corner (wide open) | 0.5 |
| Center (stopped) | 2.0 |
| Corner (stopped) | 1.5 |
| Coma | 2.0 |
| Astigmatism | 1.0 |
| Spherical aberration | 1.0 |
| Longitudinal CA | 1.0 |
| Lateral CA | 1.0 |
| Distortion | 1.0 |
| Bokeh | 1.5 |
| Flare resistance | 1.0 |
Sharpness
- Acceptable center sharpness wide open
- Noticeably soft corners wide open
- Outstanding center resolution stopped down
- Good corner-to-corner sharpness stopped down
Aberrations
- Moderate longitudinal CA, correctable in post
- Moderate lateral CA, auto-corrected by most software
- Negligible coma — point lights stay tight to the corners
- Moderate astigmatism
- Moderate spherical aberration
Rendering
- Smooth, pleasant bokeh
- Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings
Distortion
- Moderate distortion, handled by camera profiles
All optical scores are based on lab measurements and field tests from trusted review sources. For details on how we score lenses, see our scoring methodology.
Genre Fit
~ Nightscape Photography 3/5
Nightscape Photography prioritizes coma control, astigmatism correction, and a fast aperture for short star exposures.
- Negligible coma — point lights stay tight to the corners
- Moderate astigmatism
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- Moderate lateral CA, auto-corrected by most software
- Acceptable center sharpness wide open
- Noticeably soft corners wide open
- Moderate longitudinal CA, correctable in post
- Moderate spherical aberration
✓ Landscape Photography 4/5
Landscape Photography prioritizes corner-to-corner sharpness at stopped-down apertures and good flare resistance.
- Good corner-to-corner sharpness stopped down
- Outstanding center resolution stopped down
- Moderate distortion, handled by camera profiles
- Moderate lateral CA, auto-corrected by most software
- Moderate longitudinal CA, correctable in post
- Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings
- Moderate astigmatism
- Negligible coma — point lights stay tight to the corners
~ Architecture Photography 3/5
Architecture Photography prioritizes geometric precision with minimal distortion and even corner sharpness.
- Good corner-to-corner sharpness stopped down
- Outstanding center resolution stopped down
- Moderate distortion, handled by camera profiles
- Moderate lateral CA, auto-corrected by most software
- Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings
✓ Street Photography 4.5/5
Street Photography prioritizes sharp stopped-down performance and a fast enough aperture for low light.
- Outstanding center resolution stopped down
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- Acceptable center sharpness wide open
- Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings
- Moderate longitudinal CA, correctable in post
- Negligible coma — point lights stay tight to the corners
✓ Travel Photography 4/5
Travel Photography prioritizes balanced image quality in a lightweight package.
- Outstanding center resolution stopped down
- Lightweight at 280g
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings
- Moderate longitudinal CA, correctable in post
~ Portrait Photography 3/5
Portrait Photography prioritizes smooth bokeh and critical center sharpness wide open for subject isolation.
- Smooth, pleasant bokeh
- Acceptable center sharpness wide open
- Moderate longitudinal CA, correctable in post
- Moderate spherical aberration
~ Sport Photography 3/5
Sport Photography prioritizes sharp wide-open center performance to freeze action at fast shutter speeds.
- Acceptable center sharpness wide open
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- Moderate longitudinal CA, correctable in post
- Moderate lateral CA, auto-corrected by most software
~ Wildlife Photography 3/5
Wildlife Photography prioritizes center sharpness across apertures for distant subjects.
- Acceptable center sharpness wide open
- Outstanding center resolution stopped down
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- Moderate longitudinal CA, correctable in post
- Moderate lateral CA, auto-corrected by most software
✗ Macro Photography 1/5
Macro Photography prioritizes stopped-down center sharpness and high magnification for close-up detail.
- Outstanding center resolution stopped down
- Low magnification (0.14x)
- Moderate distortion, handled by camera profiles
- Moderate lateral CA, auto-corrected by most software
- Moderate longitudinal CA, correctable in post
- Moderate spherical aberration
- Smooth, pleasant bokeh