Let’s see how the brand new Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 Air compares to the famous Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN. They are both great APS-C lenses for portrait and low-light photography, so let’s find the winner.
Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 Air
- Focal Length: 35mm
- Max Aperture: f/1.7
- Mount: Sony, Fuji, Nikon
- Weather-Sealing: ❌
- Weight: 180g
- Released: 2024
- Amazon
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN
- Focal Length: 30mm
- Max Aperture: f/1.4
- Mount: Sony, Fuji, Nikon
- Weather-Sealing: ❌
- Weight: 265g
- Released: 2016
- Amazon
Viltrox makes optically great and affordable lenses, and the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 Air is no exception. It’s small, cheap and delivers great image quality.
The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 is a little bit older, and perhaps one of the most popular prime lenses for the APS-C shooters. It’s got a slightly bigger f/1.4 aperture, but does that justify the higher price tag?
In this comparison, I will go over the advantages for each lens, show you some sample images, as well as how they both compare at different photography types.
If you’re in a hurry, the advantages below are all you need to make the final decision.
Advantages of Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 Air
Advantages of Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN
Now, let’s see which features and advantages are actually important for your specific needs and which ones only sound good on paper.
Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 vs Sigma 30mm f/1.4: Detailed Comparison
🔭 1. Focal Length
- Viltrox 35mm f/1.7: 35mm
- Sigma 30mm f/1.4: 30mm
The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 Air gets you a little bit closer to your subject.
Neither lens is better, it simply depends on what you’re looking for.
Both are excellent for portraits, weddings, street photography and day to day walks. If you can’t decide between 35mm and 30mm, look at where you’re using your current lenses at. Do you feel like 35mm is too limiting, or that 30mm is too wide?
If we’re talking about full-frame equivalents, then the Viltrox 35mm is equivalent to a 52.5mm. The Sigma 30mm is equivalent to a 45mm lens.
🎥 2. Maximum Aperture
- Viltrox 35mm f/1.7: Aperture f/1.7
- Sigma 30mm f/1.4: Aperture f/1.4
- Winner: Sigma 🏆
The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN is brighter by a half-stop, which makes a noticeable difference when shooting in really dark conditions.
This will come handy for weddings, night portraits or indoor events. You’ll be able to shoot with a slightly faster shutter speed, or keep the ISO to a relatively low number to not increase the noise.
Both lenses are excellent for low-light photography, so the f/1.7 versus f/1.4 is not going to limit you from doing the same activities.
📏 3. Dimensions & Weight
- Viltrox 35mm f/1.7: 180g / 0.40lb
- Sigma 30mm f/1.4: 256g / 0.58lb
- Winner: Viltrox 🏆
The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 Air weighs 85g less, hence the “Air” in its name. At times, it really does feel like you’re not even shooting with a lens attached to your camera.
The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 isn’t heavy by any means, but compared to competition (besides the Viltrox), it does stand out a little bit. For example, the much older Sony 35mm f/1.8 for APS-C is also noticeably smaller and lighter.
Still, both are excellent choices for traveling lightweight.
- Viltrox 35mm f/1.7: 64 x 56mm / 2.52″ x 2.20″
- Sigma 30mm f/1.4: 65 x 73mm / 2.56″ x 2.87″
- Winner: Viltrox 🏆
Similar story here. The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 has an almost identical diameter, but is 17mm shorter.
It will be easier to put it in your pocket or pack into a small camera bag.
🎥 4. Minimum Aperture
- Viltrox 35mm f/1.7: f/16
- Sigma 30mm f/1.4: f/16
- Winner: Tie
The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 Air and Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN both share the same smallest aperture size; f/16.
This is pretty common for 35mm lenses, and I’ve never really wished that it could go smaller than that. Aperture f/16 is more than enough for landscape and time-lapses on a bright day. If you’re looking for smaller aperture sizes, then I suggest you get an ND filter as it will make your life much easier.
Plus, shooting with f/16 or smaller raises the risk of losing image quality due to diffraction. Here’s my aperture tutorial where you can see more tips to improve your shots.
🔬 5. Minimum Focusing Distance
- Viltrox 35mm f/1.7: Minimum focusing distance of 33cm / 12.99″
- Sigma 30mm f/1.4: Minimum focusing distance of 30cm / 11.81″
- Winner: Sigma 🏆
Another feature where both Viltrox and Sigma are pretty much identical.
The 30cm (11.81″) closest focusing distance of the Sigma is good enough for some close-up photography, such as food or flowers, but it’s absolutely not a crazy macro distance.
The same goes for Viltrox with its 33cm (12.99″) minimum focusing distance. Enough to cover needs of 90% situations, but you might miss those super close situations every now and then. Remember, these distances are measured from your camera’s sensor, so in reality your subject will actually be closer to the front element of your lens by a couple of inches.
⛅ 6. Weather-Sealing
- Viltrox 35mm f/1.7: ❌
- Sigma 30mm f/1.4: ❌
- Winner: Tie
Nothing special here, as both lenses are so cheap due to a lack of proper weather-resistance.
Does this mean they will dissolve in rain?
No, of course not. Almost all lenses can handle light amount of rain, snow and bad weather. I own a ton of non-sealed gear and have never had any issues.
However, it’s true that if I do go on trips or places where there’s a high chance of storms/high humidity/sand, I do bring some weather-resistant gear to make my life easier. You’ll just have to be a bit more careful in such scenarios.
Plus, if your camera isn’t weather-sealed, then you wouldn’t shoot in such scenarios regardless.
🎦 7. Image Stabilization
- Viltrox 35mm f/1.7: ❌
- Sigma 30mm f/1.4: ❌
- Winner: Tie
Neither of these lenses feature Image Stabilization technology.
That’s why they’re so compact and affordable! Plus, if your mirrorless camera has built-in stabilization, you’re not missing out on anything.
💿 8. Aperture Blades
- Viltrox 35mm f/1.7: 9 diaphragm blades
- Sigma 30mm f/1.4: 9 diaphragm blades
- Winner: Tie
Same bokeh performance for both Viltrox and Sigma lenses. 9 blades makes them both equally good for portraits, pets and food photos with a smooth looking bokeh.
📽 9. Filter Size
- Viltrox 35mm f/1.7: 52mm filter size
- Sigma 30mm f/1.4: 52mm filter size
- Winner: Tie
Both lenses use 52mm filters, which are super common and affordable.
💲 10. Price
- Viltrox 35mm f/1.7: $179
- Sigma 30mm f/1.4: $279
- Winner: Viltrox 🏆
It’s amazing that we have so many cheap options for APS-C cameras.
Neither of these two are expensive, but the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 Air costs $100 less and that’s enough of an advantage for most photographers.
Image quality and sharpness are more or less the same for both. The Viltrox is not cheaper because it would be bad, but simply because they need to stand out due to their lack of recognition.
You can’t go wrong with either of these two lenses, but do consider if the extra $100 could be going towards something else if you don’t need the f/1.4 aperture.
Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 vs Sigma 30mm f/1.4: Photography Type
From 1 being the worst, 5 being the best.
It’s best to choose a lens that suits your favorite photography types, or offers you something that your current gear is not good enough for.
The slightly bigger aperture of the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 gives it a minor advantage for portraits, weddings and low-light scenarios.
Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 vs Sigma 30mm f/1.4: Comparison Table
Better specifications are highlighted in green.
| 🎥 Lens Specification | Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 Air | Sigma 30mm f/1.4 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 35mm | 30mm |
| 35mm Equivalent | 52.5mm | 45mm |
| Mount | Sony E, Fuji X, Nikon Z | Sony E, Fuji X, Nikon Z |
| Maximum Aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.4 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/16 | f/16 |
| Filter Size | 52 mm | 52 mm |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.13x | 0.14x |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 33cm / 12.99″ | 30cm / 11.81″ |
| Aperture Ring | No | No |
| Focus Type | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Motor Type | Stepper Motor | Stepper Motor |
| Lens Construction | 11 elements in 9 groups | 9 elements in 7 groups |
| Aperture Blades | 9 | 9 |
| Image Stabilization | ❌ | ❌ |
| Weather Sealing | ❌ | ❌ |
| Dimensions (mm) | 64 x 56mm / 2.52″ x 2.2″ | 65 x 73mm / 2.56″ x 2.87″” |
| Weight (g) | 180g / 0.40lb | 265g / 0.58lb |
| Hood Included | Yes | No |
| Released | 2024 | 2016 |
| Price | Amazon | Amazon |
So, which lens is the better one?
Choose the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 Air if:
- You want to spend $100 less for almost identical optical performance
- You want a lighter and more compact lens
Choose the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 if:
- You want the biggest aperture for low-light scenarios (weddings, portraits)
