Almost flawless! 35mm f/2 IS USM review

Good review!

However I disagree your conclusion that Sigma 35/1.4 Art @F1.4 is sharper than 35/2.0 IS @F2.0. You might have a soft copy.

DPR 35/2.0 @F2.0 IS vs 35/1.4 A @F1.4 on 5D2

DPR 35/2.0 IS @F2.0 vs 35/1.4 A @F1.4 on 7D

TDP 35/2.0 IS @F2.0 vs 35/1.4 Art @F1.4

In either case, it shows 35/2.0 @F2.0 is sharper than Sigma 35/1.4 Art @F1.4.  Both at F2.0, Sigma is sharper. Canon captures up at F2.8 and as sharp as if not slightly sharper at F4.0.

I love my copy of 35/2.0 IS and have some test samples here . 4-stop 'IS' is awesome that I can hand-held at 1/6 or even 1/4 sec to get consistent sharp photos.

The reasons I chose 35/2.0 IS over Sigma 35 Art are,

1) 4-stop 'IS' as this is the lens I used very often in low-light or indoor hand-held photos on most static or slow moving subjects. Then 4-stop 'IS' by shooting at F2.8 can effectively overcome one-stop aperture advantage of Sigma 35 Art. So by this sense, I don't see Sigma 35 A has optical quality advantage as this is not a main portrait lens so I don't need to shoot at F1.4 wide open. By stopping down to F2.8 they are pretty close and Canon is even slightly sharper at F4.0.

2) Lighter/smaller in traveling in my already somewhat heavy camera bag. It's much lighter than Sigma copy that is a big deal. It's also lots cheaper that I bought at $527 from BigDig.

3) Canon brand and reliable and more accurate autofocus. I don't suggest Sigma is not good but I do hear bunch of stories for AF accuracy issue. It's a bit tricky to MFA on 4-stop shooting distance that USB dock offers as MFA on near distance may not best for far distance or vice versa. I virtually have not heard any complaints in 35/2.0 IS AF accuracy issue.

If I chose a 50mm or 85mm prime lens, then fast-aperture is a big deal and likely #1 factor as they will be used in portrait purpose mainly. But 35mm prime is for street, landscape and indoor photos not for portrait mainly.