Handling and Features
Performance
Verdict
Specification


Sigma 30mm Micro Four Thirds Lens

This 30mm lens is currently available to fit both Micro Four Thirds and Sony NEX cameras and costs around £170. It sports a bright f/2.8 aperture and a newly developed linear focus motor.

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Sigma 30mm f/2.8 EX DN Handling and Features

Metal has been used for the lens mount and high quality plastics with a matte finish have been used for the lens barrel construction. Weighing only 130g, this lens is the perfect companion to smaller camera bodies, just like the Panasonic Lumix GF3 used for testing.

As focusing is performed internally the 46mm filter thread does not rotate during use and the lens does not extend, making this lens ideal for use with graduated and polarising filters. Focus speeds are quick and the wide manual focus ring offers just enough resistance to make applying fine adjustments trouble-free. the linear focusing system employed does not hold the focusing group in place there is no power to the lens, so a disconcerting rattle can be heard when the lens is tilted, either off the camera, or with the lens removed. This is perfectly normal for the type of focusing system used.



An updated version of this lens, the Sigma 30mm f/2.8 DN A (Art) version is now available, with the same optical performance as the original, however it is now available in black, shown above), or silver versions.

The minimum focus distance of 30cm is great for shooting in claustrophobic environments and for taking close up images. 1:8.1 is the maximum magnification possible, which is a fair way off what could be considered macro, but is fairly typical for a lens of this type.


Sigma 30mm Micro Four Thirds Lens Rear
 

Sigma 30mm f/2.8 EX DN Performance

At maximum aperture, sharpness is already outstanding in the centre of the image, and very good towards the edges. Stopping down the lens improves sharpness across the frame as far as f/5.6, where the clarity is outstanding across the frame.
 

Sigma 30mm DN MTF

How to read our charts The blue column represents readings from the centre of the picture frame at the various apertures and the green is from the edges. Averaging them out gives the red weighted column. The scale on the left side is an indication of actual image resolution. The taller the column, the better the lens performance. Simple. For this review, the lens was tested on a Panasonic Lumix GF3 using Imatest.

Chromatic aberrations are kept low at all aperture, peaking at just over 0.75 pixel widths at f/16 and f/22. This low level should pose few issues, even with large prints and harsh crops from near the edges of the frame.

Sigma 30mm DN CA

How to read our charts Chromatic aberration is the lens' inability to focus on the sensor or film all colours of visible light at the same point. Severe chromatic aberration gives a noticeable fringing or a halo effect around sharp edges within the picture. It can be cured in software. Apochromatic lenses have special lens elements (aspheric, extra-low dispersion etc) to minimize the problem, hence they usually cost more. For this review, the lens was tested on a Panasonic Lumix GF3 using Imatest.

Falloff of illumination towards the corners of the frame is well controlled. At f/2.8 the corners are only 0.9 stops darker than the image centre and visually uniform illumination is achieved by f/5.6. Mild barrel distortion of 0.821% is present, which shouldn't pose issues in normal shooting. If absolutely straight lines are required, the distortion is quite simple to correct as it is uniform across the frame.

Sigma 30mm f/2.8 EX DN Sample Photos

Sigma 30mm f/2.8 EX DN Verdict

During testing this lens proved itself capable of producing excellent results, even at maximum aperture. The light weight, fast autofocus and excellent build should win this lens many fans, especially with the price being so competitive.

	The Sigma 30mm f/2.8 EX DN is an excellent lens offered at an extremely competitive price.

Sigma 30mm f/2.8 EX DN Pros

Excellent sharpness from maximum aperture
Compact size
Lightweight
Decent build quality
Quick autofocus

Sigma 30mm f/2.8 EX DN Cons

None

FEATURES
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Sigma 30mm f/2.8 EX DN Specifications

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