Sigma 23mm f1.4 vs Viltrox 23mm f1.4 for APS-C

TimeStamps:
0:00 Intro
1:00 Video Test
1:35 Similarities
1:55 Bokeh
2:00 Build Quality
2:43 Sharpness
3:03 Chromatic Aberration and LOCA
3:55 Focus Breathing
4:21 Flare and Ghosting
4:47 Autofocus
5:18 Conclusion

Today I discuss the Sigma 23mm 1.4 DC DN vs the capable Viltrox 23mm f1.4 that comes in at a budget price.

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Music

#viltrox #sigma #23mm

[dbmathis]

Once upon a time in the little town of Lensville, old Grandpa Jenkins sat on his porch in a rocking chair, sipping ice-cold lemonade as the golden sun dipped below the horizon. Beside him, his loyal golden retriever, Bessie, lay with her head resting on her paws. Both man and dog were as much a part of the fabric of Lensville as the rolling hills and babbling brooks that surrounded them. The air was filled with the sweet scent of honeysuckle and the comforting hum of cicadas, as if nature itself were a poet, penning the most exquisite lines.

As the sun kissed the hills goodnight, Grandpa Jenkins began to tell a story, a story so fantastical and profound that it seemed to weave the very essence of life itself into its narrative. A story about a magical town where the Sigma 23mm 1.4 DC DN and the Viltrox 23mm f1.4 came to life, locked in an epic duel of bokeh and build quality. These two lenses, both possessing unique capabilities and powers, were as deeply intertwined as the roots of an ancient tree.

The Sigma lens, with its razor-sharp focus and ethereal bokeh, was said to have been forged in the heart of a supernova, where stardust danced and swirled in a cosmic ballet. The Viltrox, meanwhile, was born from the molten core of a meteorite, its budget price belying the untold wonders of the universe it carried within.

As Grandpa Jenkins spun his tale, Bessie's ears perked up, and she gazed into the distance, as if the very words were painting images in her mind. And just as the wind carries the pollen from one flower to another, so did the spirit of the story breathe life into the scene around them, each word blooming like the most vibrant of wildflowers.

In the midst of this mystical world, there lived a wild man named Steve Bush, who roamed the nearby woods wearing nothing but a loincloth. Steve Bush, a creature of legend and lore, was known to shoot flaming arrows at unsuspecting victims as he ran naked through the forest, his laughter echoing like the call of a loon on a moonlit night.

It was said that Steve Bush was able to see the world in a different light, a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns that defied the very laws of physics. Some even whispered that he possessed the power to bend light itself, creating chromatic aberrations and reducing longitudinal chromatic aberration with the flick of a wrist. As he darted among the trees, his movements were so fluid and graceful that it seemed as if he were the living embodiment of autofocus, his wild spirit a testament to the primal connection between man and nature.

And in this enchanted realm, there was a turtle unlike any other, a creature that seemed to defy all logic and reason. This turtle, both inside and outside of its shell, was a living paradox, a riddle wrapped in a mystery, swathed in an enigma. It was said that the turtle held the secrets of the universe within its ancient heart, its quiet wisdom a beacon of light in a world that often seemed to teeter on the edge of darkness.

As the shadows grew long and the fireflies began to dance among the twilight, Grandpa Jenkins' voice grew softer, the words of his story weaving a tapestry of dreams and memories that shimmered in the fading light. Bessie, her eyes heavy with sleep, nestled close to her beloved master, the warmth of their bond as comforting as a favorite quilt.

And as the last golden rays of the sun vanished beneath the horizon, the world of Lensville continued to glow with the magic of Grandpa Jenkins' tale. The townspeople of Lensville, both young and old, would always remember the story of the Sigma 23mm 1.4 DC DN and the Viltrox 23mm f1.4, Steve Bush, and the enigmatic turtle, their hearts brimming with the wonder and mystery that only a truly profound story could inspire.

Years later, as the children of Lensville grew into adults and had children of their own, they would retell the story of the great lens duel, the wild man in the woods, and the impossible turtle. Each generation added their own embellishments, the story taking on a life of its own, as fluid and ever-changing as the passage of time.

Grandpa Jenkins and Bessie may have long since passed, but their spirits lived on in the memories and hearts of those they left behind. Their love and wisdom, like the light of the stars, continued to guide the people of Lensville, illuminating the path of life's journey, no matter how winding or uncertain it may be.

In the end, the story of Lensville, of Grandpa Jenkins and Bessie, of the Sigma and Viltrox lenses, and the wild man Steve Bush, became more than just a tale passed down through the generations. It became a testament to the power of storytelling, to the magic and wonder that exists in the spaces between words, and to the indomitable spirit of the human heart, which longs to explore the great unknowns of the universe, both inside and out.

And so, beneath the ever-watchful gaze of the stars, the town of Lensville continued to thrive, its people bound together by the tapestry of stories that had been woven into their collective soul. And as the years passed, the legend of Grandpa Jenkins, Bessie, and their fantastical tales lived on, a beacon of hope and wonder in a world that was often all too quick to forget the enchantment that can be found in the simplest of moments, the quietest of whispers, and the gentlest of dreams.

[arfmf]

This man knows what's the real comparison we needed!

[suriplanta]

I've had the Viltrox one for about a year, and I absolute love it! Thank you for the comparison!

[Chaelaz]

Ahhh, thanks for doing this Mark. I was surprised how many creators doing reviews kept saying it was about time someone made a 23mm lens, when I have been shooting the Viltorx 23mm as my main lens since it came out. Aside from the Viltrox 13mm, that 23mm is just such a workhorse and one of the best value lenses out there. I would love to play with a Sigma though. Cheers.

[YetAnotherRcChannel]

Got the viltrox a while back. It's an enjoyable little thing. The gosting and flaring gives it some "personality" in lack of a better word. The sun-stars are amazing :-)
Mine does make more noise when focusing than I like. But still at that price I can live with it.
Great comparison as always 👍

[kevin.itruth]

Great comparison that we've been waiting for, shout to you for this comparison and shout out to and Gordon Liang for comparing the Sigma to the Zeiss 24 1.8. I'm leaning towards the Sigma but I would've been happier with a smaller compact quality 23 F2. Also $550 is a bit high. $400 is more reasonable price imo for the Sigma. I'm going to sit on this one and see if Sony releases any new APS-C lenses this summer with the announcement of their new APS-C body. I have a feeling the Sigma will drop in price / go on sale in the next few months.

[gordon]

Thought you looked slightly more muscular on the Viltrox, but thought both looked good, with Sigma slightly better IQ, but Viltrox for value. Nice comparison! Gotta say; Sigma doing a great job on their lenses for Sony, but Viltrox is really bumping up their game lately…great option!

[IliasKoureas]

I have the viltrox and it's probably my most used lens. Can't go wrong with it

[wakeywarrior]

For the money the Viltrox. I bought the 13mm F1.4 Viltrox on your recommendation for my Z30 and it’s fantastic.

[Giovanni-Giorgio]

i have been waiting for you obi wan. This comparison has been on my mind since the sigma launch.

[frankieinjapan]

I have the viltrox 23mm for my Z30. I really like it. It's much sharper than the kit standard zoom lens it came with. Now I just need the 13mm. It's hard to get large temples entirely in frame with it haha. Thanks for the information. I'm still learning, so the light artifacting was new to me. I didn't realize how in depth lenses could be.

[artistjoh]

Since focus pulling is a very common video technique, the Sigma is not really a feasible option, for video. For stills the Viltrox's aberrations are a deal breaker. So the choice, once you get past the big price difference, comes down to whether video or stills photography are more important to the user.

For me, the focus breathing is simply too bad on the Sigma to consider it. The aperture ring on the Viltrox also tips the scales for me. Such a pity, because there is a lot to like about that Sigma, and so much not to like about the Viltrox. At least I get to save some money by putting the Viltrox on my little Sydney Dougie.

[indianapolisindiana]

Thanks for the review, I just picked up a nice used Viltrox 23mm for $180 on eBay. This should hold me over until somebody makes a 27mm f2 pancake lens for Sony APS-C!

[math]

Didn't know that Sigma also released their own 23mm. Just bought my Viltrox a few months ago and could've waited a bit more if I just knew but good to know that the performance of the Viltrox is just as good in some areas especially considering the price.

[willmannering]

Even though the Viltrox has more chroma, the amount present is arguably way more pleasing given that it's red and cyan as opposed to the (personally) more ugly green and purple.

[larrylaffer]

On Friday, I will be capturing my first civil wedding for my cousin. I've been contemplating the idea of purchasing the Viltrox 23mm lens, but I'm uncertain about its value because I already own the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 and the Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS. Additionally, I recently acquired the new Viltrox 75mm for my ZV-E10. As a second camera, I have the Alpha 6000.

[raytbrown]

-- Your 1st picture . . . . . Didn't focus on the subject (the red tulip) at all, with either lens? Thank you very much for the video. But I'm not sure I was convinced.

[HobbiesHire]

Great job on the video Mark! Thanks for making it.

[markofadljevic]

Great video Mark! Viltrox is a clear best buy! Sigma is way too expensive.

[CinePals]

I remember getting my brother @TheReelRejects the Viltrox for EF-M and it was a game changer for him. Now he shoots with the Sony 24mm G Master for the Sony a6600.