Olympus 25mm f/1.8 or Sigma 30mm f/2.8?

I realise they are not fully comparable, both in focal length and speed, so I suppose I could put my question this way: could I get away with the Sigma or do I need to pluck down $400 for the Olympus?

Background: (1) the lens will be for use on a E-PL5 that I am buying to replace my E-PM2 (which I am giving to my wife); (2) I am a prime shooter, and although I do use the Olympus 40-150 on occasions, I am not looking for another zoom; (3) currently I have the Panasonic 14/2.5 and 20/1.7, mark I; (4) I have been relying a lot on the 14/2.5 but often find myself cropping. Ok, but not ideal. The 20/1.7 was my favourite lens on the E-P1, but I find its focus speed lacking.

Needs: I use digital for family and some basic travel shooting. I have a child and it helps to have a lens that focuses quickly! I want a quick-to-focus "normal" FL to supplement the 14 (28mm equivalent), which is too wide for snapshot shooting, IMO.

The Olympus 25/1.8 seems like an ideal lens, though perhaps the verdict is still out on it (?) And $400 is still a lot of money as far as I'm concerned. The Sigma 30/2.8 is a little too narrow and slow, but I think i could live with that. What about its focus speed? And does anyone know if the new version is better in some regards to the older version?

I use the Sigma 30 a lot. It's pretty much my goto lens for general walking around with friends. It's very very good quality for the price - I would definitely recommend.

Sounds like you made the case for the 25 mm.  Let me just say that when you need the extra speed, you will be glad you paid for it.  That extra stop and half can be the difference between getting the shot and not.

I think the Sigma 30mm f2.8 is a worthy consideration. I too was thinking about the 25mm f1.8 but it's over-priced in the UK; £369.00 / $617.00. At the current price of the 25mm, I think the sigma would be a very good compromise.

I've tried the Sigma at my local camera store and the focusing seems much quicker and quieter than my 20mm f1.7. If like me you're shooting outdoors a lot, I tend to stop down to at least f2.8 and beyond for greater depth of field so the max. aperture on the Sigma is not much of an issue in this scenario. The 30mm is also seems very sharp at max. aperture and used with the Olympus stabilistation, it's a compelling piece of kit for the low price.

If you're already a prime lens shooter then you'll be used to moving back and forth to compose, and if you're shooting outdoors I don't think you'll find the focal length much more restrictive than the 25mm. It will allow to keep a comfortable distance from your subject without interupting the scene.

I also found that the 30mm is good for upper body portraits, offering some subject isolation and a natural perspective.

I would say go for the Sigma for now and get the 25mm when the price drops to within your price range. That's more than likely what I'm going to do.

I am not sure that the 20/1.7 focuses in less than a second. The entire lens casing has to move to focus the lens. With my E-P1 I often put the lens in hyperfocal mode at f/8 to take snap shots.

Bryan, thanks for posting. Sweet girl! I know how you feel; half of my shots are of my seven year old daughter. Well that's true what you say about indoor photography--something to be considered.

Thanks to everyone so far. At this point I suppose I am still leaning toward the Sigma, but the test results showing that it is only marginally faster than the 20/1.7 has me a little confused. No point in buying it in that case.

If you order the EM-10 today, you can also get the 25 1.8 for $299 bundled with the $699 EM-10. Great deal.

The "Art" version added a metal casing.

As for your original question, I vote for the Sigma. All 3 Sigmas are fantastic deals, with the 60mm being a cut above the other two. If I remember correctly, my Sigma 30 came with a case and a hood, and a four year warranty in the US. It focuses well, and is excellent for video.

Of course, I'm not saying it's better than the Oly, and some people have considered it the weakest of the three Sigmas, but I wouldn't spend the extra money. I don't think that the difference in speed is worth the extra money. For example, I use my Sigma - I have all three - 60mm as much as my Oly 45mm, and certainly a lot more than my Oly 75mm.

Joinker wrote:

Does anyone have experience with the Olympus 25mm 2.8? I was wondering how that one stacks up against these sigmas in terms of Af speed and sharpness, since they are of the same aperture.

Thank you!

It is a four thirds lens with the attendant issues, except perhaps the EM-1

Buy the Sigma if you're strapped for cash.

Buy the Oly if you want some pseudo-macro, better MF and faster aperture.

I suppose timing is everything when you buy a lens, but I presently have both lens that I purchased brand new. I wouldn't normally buy both lens since they are so close, but since I could buy each of them new for $132. (Sigma 30mm) and $299. (Olympus 25mm) and $331. total --- out the door for them, it made little sense to pass up the opportunity. I have experimented with both lenses in low light situations and while they are quite different speeds and FOV, there is no question in my mind I could easily get by with just the 30mm F2.8. If you needed a slightly wider FOV, then go find a Sigma 19mm F2.8 for very little (which, I also bought brand new for $135.), and that too would do quite nicely for very little money. Are there times you might need a faster lens? Certainly, but then you have some funds left over to use the Big Boy (like my Voigtlander's 17.5mm F0.95 and 25mm F0.95), which both practically live on my E-M1. And yes, in spite of the redundancy of my lenses, there are times you want a very small and light weight decent alternative lens. I simply really enjoy these more natural field of view options, as opposed to just about any other focal range of lens. It is never bad to have options, and in the micro 4/3's world we simply have more options than just about any other type of camera owner.

My suggestion, buy the Sigma 30mm F2.8 now, but shop a little and find the right and best price so you have the means to have some funds left over to buy the other primes (if you want or need) down the road.

Dale