§ 03 Head to head

Panasonic G Macro 30 mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. vs Sigma A 30 mm f/2.8 DN

Panasonic 30mm f/2.8 focuses 20 cm closer. Sigma 30mm f/2.8 is 45 g lighter.

Both lenses are made for the Micro Four Thirds mount: the Panasonic G Macro 30 mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. is a 30mm f/2.8 prime, and the Sigma A 30 mm f/2.8 DN is a 30mm f/2.8 prime. On paper they trade blows, with 3 advantages each.

01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Panasonic G Macro 30 mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. better than the Sigma A 30 mm f/2.8 DN?

  • Focuses 20 cm closer (0.1 m vs 0.3 m)
  • Has optical image stabilization
  • Newer design (2015 vs 2013)

Why is the Sigma A 30 mm f/2.8 DN better than the Panasonic G Macro 30 mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S.?

  • 45 g lighter (135 g vs 180 g)
  • 23 mm shorter (40.5 mm vs 63.5 mm long)
  • Covers a larger sensor format (APS-C vs Micro Four Thirds)
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • macro For macro photography, the Panasonic G Macro 30 mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.1 m.
  • street For street photography, the Sigma A 30 mm f/2.8 DN has the edge: it is 45 g lighter to carry.
  • travel For travel, the Sigma A 30 mm f/2.8 DN has the edge: it is 45 g lighter to carry.
03

Specification

16 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationPanasonic G Macro 30 mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S.Sigma A 30 mm f/2.8 DN
Focal length30mm 30mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8 f/2.8
Minimum aperturef/22 f/22
Lens typePrime lens Prime lens
FormatMicro Four Thirds APS-C
Weight180 g (6.35 oz) 135 g (4.76 oz) ◆
Dimensions58.8 x 63.5 mm 60.8 x 40.5 mm
Minimum focusing distance0.1 m (3.94 inches) ◆0.3 m (11.81 inches)
Image stabilizationYes ◆No
Weather sealingNo —
Aperture ringNo No
Aperture blades7 7
Optical construction9 elements / 9 groups 7 elements / 5 groups
Filter size46 mm 46 mm
Lens mountMicro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds, Sony E
Released2015 2013
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · Panasonic
  • B · Sigma
  • 63.5 × 58.8 mm
  • 40.5 × 60.8 mm

The Panasonic G Macro 30 mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. is 23 mm longer and 45 g heavier than the Sigma A 30 mm f/2.8 DN.

05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

Panasonic G Macro 30 mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S.

Rounded front side of a graduation house
Rounded front side of a graduation house by Mani_H.
Autumn flowers at a crossroad in an urban quarter
Autumn flowers at a crossroad in an urban quarter by Mani_H.
Two old beech trees
Two old beech trees by Mani_H.
Sitting under the umbrella roof of a weeping beech.
Sitting under the umbrella roof of a weeping beech. by Mani_H.

Sigma A 30 mm f/2.8 DN

The Butterfly
The Butterfly by AUMIEO's iDIOTOGRAPHY
Dhaka Art Summit 2023
Dhaka Art Summit 2023 by AUMIEO's iDIOTOGRAPHY
Dhaka Art Summit 2023
Dhaka Art Summit 2023 by AUMIEO's iDIOTOGRAPHY
The Rain from The Source of Light
The Rain from The Source of Light by AUMIEO's iDIOTOGRAPHY
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Panasonic G Macro 30 mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. review 1
Video thumbnail for Panasonic G Macro 30 mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. review 2
Video thumbnail for Sigma A 30 mm f/2.8 DN review 1
Video thumbnail for Sigma A 30 mm f/2.8 DN review 2
07

Questions

Which is lighter, the Panasonic G Macro 30 mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. or the Sigma A 30 mm f/2.8 DN?
The Sigma A 30 mm f/2.8 DN weighs 135 g, 45 g less than the Panasonic G Macro 30 mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. (180 g).
Which focuses closer, the Panasonic G Macro 30 mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. or the Sigma A 30 mm f/2.8 DN?
The Panasonic G Macro 30 mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. focuses down to 0.1 m, against 0.3 m for the Sigma A 30 mm f/2.8 DN.
Do the Panasonic G Macro 30 mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. and the Sigma A 30 mm f/2.8 DN have image stabilization?
Only the Panasonic G Macro 30 mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. has optical image stabilization.
Is the Panasonic G Macro 30 mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. or the Sigma A 30 mm f/2.8 DN better for macro photography?
For macro photography, the Panasonic G Macro 30 mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.1 m.
Is the Panasonic G Macro 30 mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. or the Sigma A 30 mm f/2.8 DN better for street photography?
For street photography, the Sigma A 30 mm f/2.8 DN has the edge: it is 45 g lighter to carry.
08

Other comparisons