Sigma 30mm f/2.8 DN A Lens

      Photo Review 9.0

      In summary

      The 30mm f/2.8 DN A is the middle model in the new ‘Art’ series lenses produced by Sigma for M4/3 and Sony NEX mirrorless cameras.

      The small size and light weight of this lens make it an ideal travelling companion, while its slightly longer than average effective focal length on M4/3 cameras is well suited to portraiture.

      On Sony’s NEX cameras its ‘normal’ focal length makes it suitable for documentary photography, including landscapes and cityscapes.

      Full review

      First announced in January 2012, it was re-designed with a smooth metal exterior finish in black or silver and released as a second-generation model in mid-2013.

      This ‘standard’ lens covers an angle of view equivalent to 60mm in 35mm format on the Micro Four Thirds system and 45mm on the E-mount system.

      Sigma’s 30mm f/2.8 DN A is the lowest-priced standard prime lens currently available. Its nearest M4/3 competitor is double the street price of this lens, while owners of Sony’s NEX cameras can expect to pay about AU$80 more for a lens that is a stop slower. This makes the Sigma lens remarkably good value for money.

      The small size and light weight of this lens make it an ideal travelling companion, while its slightly longer than average effective focal length on M4/3 cameras is well suited to portraiture. On Sony’s NEX cameras its ‘normal’ focal length makes it suitable for documentary photography, including landscapes and cityscapes.

      The metallic finish looks more at home on Sony’s NEX cameras than on the Olympus or Panasonic models, particularly those companies’ highest-featured cameras. The lack of built-in stabilisation could be a deterrent for Sony and Panasonic buyers because this lens isn’t stabilised and most cameras in these line-ups lack in-camera stabilisation.

      Regardless of which mount you choose, its f/2.8 maximum aperture provides plenty of scope for taking pictures in poorly-lit situations, while quiet autofocusing makes it well suited to recording movie clips. Its minimum focusing distance is 30cm and its maximum magnification is 1:8.1.

       

      SPECS

      Picture angle: 39.6 degrees on M4/3; 50.7 degrees on NEX E-mount
      Minimum aperture:  f/22
      Lens construction: 7 elements in 5 groups (including 2 aspherical lens elements)
      Lens mounts: Micro Four Thirds and Sony E-mount
      Diaphragm Blades: 7 (rounded)
      Focus drive: Ultrasonic linear AF motor optimised for mirrorless systems
      Stabilisation: No
      Minimum focus: 30 cm
      Maximum magnification: 1:8.1
      Filter size: 46 mm
      Dimensions (Diameter x L): 60.8 x 40.5 mm
      Weight: 135 grams (without end caps)

       

      Rating

      RRP: AU$229; MSRP $US280 (discounted to $199)

      • Build: 8.5
      • Handling: 8.5
      • Image quality: 8.5
      • Versality: 8.5

      Buy