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Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN C vs Lensbaby Velvet 56

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Sigma 30mm F1.4 C

Standard Prime | Micro Four Thirds

Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN C
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Lensbaby Velvet 56

Standard Prime | Micro Four Thirds

Lensbaby Velvet 56
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Sigma 30mm F1.4 C vs Lensbaby Velvet 56 Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Sigma 30mm F1.4 C for the MFT and the Lensbaby Velvet 56 for the MFT, two Standard Prime lenses from Sigma and Lensbaby.

We will start by looking briefly at the main specs of these two lenses, and in the next section, we will start analyzing them in more detail and listing the pros and cons of each lens.

Sigma 30mm F1.4 C Key Specs

  • 30mm Focal Range
  • F1.4 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 52mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • Weight: 265g.
  • Diameter: 65mm
  • Length: 73mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.3m
  • Max Magnification: 0.14x

Lensbaby Velvet 56 Key Specs

  • 56mm Focal Range
  • F1.6 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 62mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • Weight: 400g.
  • Diameter: 72mm
  • Length: 86mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 5m

What type of photography are the Sigma 30mm F1.4 C and Lensbaby Velvet 56 lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sigma 30mm F1.4 C and the Lensbaby Velvet 56 for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Sigma 30mm F1.4 C Lensbaby Velvet 56
Bird/WildlifeFairFair
SportsAverageAverage
PortraitExcellentExcellent
TravelGoodGood
StreetVery GoodVery Good
WeddingExcellentExcellent
Walk AroundGoodGood
VloggingGoodGood
LandscapeGoodGood

Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Lensbaby Velvet 56 is the longer of the two lenses at 86mm. The Sigma 30mm F1.4 C with a length of 73mm, is 13mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Lensbaby Velvet 56 also has a larger diameter of 72mm compared to the Sigma 30mm F1.4 C's 65mm diameter.

Below you can find a scaled side-by-side image of Sigma 30mm F1.4 C and Lensbaby Velvet 56 to get a better idea of how their sizes compare in real life.

Sigma 30mm F1.4 C vs Lensbaby Velvet 56 Lens Size Comparison
Comparison image of the Sigma 30mm F1.4 C and the Lensbaby Velvet 56 Size and Weight

The weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Sigma 30mm F1.4 C weighs 265g, which means it is 135g (33%) lighter than the Lensbaby Velvet 56 which has a weight of 400g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the Standard Prime Lenses in Micro Four Thirds Mount for size comparison purposes.

Standard Prime Lenses in Micro Four Thirds Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Panasonic Lumix G 25mm F1.7 ASPH Lens Panasonic Lumix G 25mm F1.7 ASPH
52mm
61mm 125g Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Leica Summilux DG 25mm F1.4 Lens Panasonic Leica 25mm F1.4
55mm
63mm 200g Amazon B&H Photo
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 25mm F1.8 Lens Olympus M 25mm F1.8
41mm
56mm 136g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN C Lens Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN C
60mm
67mm 280g Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G 42.5mm F1.7 ASPH Power OIS Lens Panasonic 42.5mm F1.7 OIS
50mm
55mm 130g Amazon B&H Photo
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm F1.2 Pro Lens Olympus 25mm F1.2 Pro
87mm
70mm 410g Amazon B&H Photo
OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 20mm F1.4 Pro Lens OM ED 20mm F1.4 Pro
62mm
63mm 247g Amazon B&H Photo
7artisans 25mm F1.8 Lens 7artisans 25mm F1.8
32mm
51mm 143g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both the Sigma 30mm F1.4 C and the Lensbaby Velvet 56 has the same Micro Four Thirds lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Micro Four Thirds lenses are , and .

Sigma 30mm F1.4 C is also available in Sony E and Fujifilm X mounts.

Lensbaby Velvet 56 is also available in Canon EF , Fujifilm X, Nikon F (FX), Pentax KAF3, Samsung NX, Sony Alpha and Sony E mounts.

Focal Range

Sigma 30mm F1.4 C is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 30mm which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 45mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera. Lensbaby Velvet 56 is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 56mm.

Reasons to choose Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN C over Lensbaby Velvet 56

Focal Length - Wide 30mm vs 56mm 26mm Wider coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 1.4 vs 1.6 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.4 vs 1.6 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Autofocus Yes vs No Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Focus Type Internal Focusing vs Extending front Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Weight 265g vs 400g 135g lighter
Diameter 65mm vs 72mm 7mm smaller in diameter
Length 73mm vs 86mm 13mm shorter
Filter Thread 52mm vs 62mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.3m vs 5m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.14x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Lensbaby Velvet 56 over Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN C

Focal Length - Tele 56mm vs 30mm 26mm more Tele coverage
Distance Scale Yes vs No Distance Scale to assist focusing
Aperture Ring Yes vs No able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Max Sensor Coverage 35mm FF vs APS-C / DX covers larger sensors

Common Strengths of Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN C and Lensbaby Velvet 56
Autofocus Yes vs Yes Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Common Weaknesses of Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN C and Lensbaby Velvet 56
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Weather Sealing No vs No not safe under rain and dust


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sigma 30mm F1.4 C vs Lensbaby Velvet 56 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Sigma Lensbaby
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Standard Prime Standard Prime
Lens Mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Max Format APS-C / DX 35mm FF
Focal Range 30mm 56mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour Black Black
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F1.4 F1.6
Min Aperture F16.0
Aperture Ring No Yes
Diaphragm Blades 9 -
Optics
Optical Elements 9 -
Optical Groups 7 -
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.3m 5m
Max Magnification 0.14X -
Autofocus Yes No
AF Motor Type Stepper motor No AF
Full Time Manual No Yes
Focus Method Internal Extending front
Distance Scale No Yes
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale No Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 265g 400g
Diameter 65mm 72mm
Length 73mm 86mm
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 52mm 62mm
Hood Supplied No No
Tripod Collar No No
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