At the CP+ Show in Japan I got a chance to get hands on with the new Sigma 30mm 1.4 for compact system cameras. The lens is from the company’s Global Vision Contemporary line and made for Sony E-mount and Micro 4/3rds. It is designed for APS-C sized sensors and should work with camera’s like the FS5, FS7, a7R II and upcoming a6300. It won’t be too useful on the the a7S II with its full frame sensor. However, being designed for the smaller sensor has kept the size and cost of the lens down.
Sigma pioneered the fast aperture APS-C format standard lens category with it originally launched its 30mm F1.4 SLR lens in 2005. The new 30mm F1.4 DC DN is even more compact because there is no SLR mirror for the designers to worry about. It has the same focal length and offers a 35mm equivalent focal length of 60mm on the Micro Four Thirds system (slightly longer in 4K with the GH4 and G7) and 45mm on the Sony E-mount.
The lens itself is minimalist in design and doesn’t feature a AF/MF switch – unlike the new Sony G-Master lenses. As far as build goes the lens felt nice in the hand and appears to be solidly made.
From my quick time with the lens it appears to produce nice images and has a nice pleasing bokeh that is very similar to other Sigma lenses. The lens features a stepping motor, that offers quick and quiet autofocusing performance. This is handy when using the camera to shoot videos. The lens is also compatible with Sony E-mount Fast Hybrid AF. As with most E-mount lenses there are no focus marks or hard end stops on the lens.
The lens is scheduled to be released in March for a around $340US.
