The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sigma 24mm F1.8 EX DG and the Pentax 21mm F3.2 AL L for their suitability to various photography scenarios:
Size and Weight Comparison
The size of a lens is a crucial factor to consider when comparing two lenses. Sigma 24mm F1.8 EX DG is the longer of the two lenses at 83mm. The Pentax 21mm F3.2 AL L with a length of 25mm, is 58mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sigma 24mm F1.8 EX DG also has a larger diameter of 84mm compared to the Pentax 21mm F3.2 AL L's 63mm diameter.
The weight of a lens is equally significant as its external dimensions, particularly if you intend to handhold your camera and lens combination for extended periods. Pentax 21mm F3.2 AL L weighs 134g, 73% (366g) lighter than the Sigma 24mm F1.8 EX DG's weight of 500g.
Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the Wideangle Prime Lenses in Pentax KAF Mount for size comparison purposes.
Wideangle Lenses in Pentax KAF Mount for Size Comparison
Filter Threads
The Sigma 24mm F1.8 EX DG has a filter size of 77mm whereas the Pentax 21mm F3.2 AL L has a 49mm diameter. Larger filters are generally more expensive than the smaller ones given all the other features are equal.
Below are links to the 77mm filters that we recommend you to consider for the Sigma 24mm F1.8 EX DG:
And these are the 49mm filters that we recommend for the Pentax 21mm F3.2 AL L:
Lens Mounts
Both the Sigma 24mm F1.8 EX DG and the Pentax 21mm F3.2 AL L has the same Pentax KAF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Pentax KAF lenses are Pentax K-3 III Monochrome, Pentax KF and Pentax K-3 III.
Sigma 24mm F1.8 EX DG is also available in Canon EF , Nikon F (FX), Four Thirds, Pentax KAF, Sony Alpha, Sigma SA, Canon EF, Sony Alpha, Sigma SA and Nikon F (FX) mounts.
Pentax 21mm F3.2 AL L is also available in Pentax KAF mount.
Focal Range
Sigma 24mm F1.8 EX DG is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 28mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of
42mm.
On the other hand, the Pentax 21mm F3.2 AL L is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 21mm which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 31.5mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.