Lumix 40mm/2.0 vs. Sigma 45mm/2.8, which one will stay

Lumix 40 mm 2.0 vs. Sigma 45 mm 2.8: I have been using the 45 mm from Sigma as a relatively ideal accessory to the Lumix S9 for a long time now, and the lens is of really very high quality in terms of quality.

Introduction

Now, regarding my farewell, my colleagues have given me the 40 mm F2.0 as a gift, and now it is time to decide which one to keep. In advance: the decision is really not easy. There is no clear winner in this sense, and to put it bluntly, the optical qualities of both lenses are very good. And there are different aspects to weigh in on different cameras.

I also recorded a video about this:

Technical Specifications

But let’s talk about the technical specifications. Regardless of the question of brightness, namely 2.0 for the Panasonic and 2.8 for the Sigma, the differences are relatively small. For example, the filter ring on the Lumix is 62 mm, which is uniform with the 18- to 40 mm zoom, while on the Sigma it is 55 mm.

However, there are two other differences: on the one hand – in addition to the filter ring – the Lumix lens does not have a aperture ring, in contrast to the Sigma lens. This means that if you want to change the aperture, it has to be set on the camera. In addition, there is a small difference in the close-focus limit, which is 24 cm for the Sigma and 30 cm for the Lumix lens.

 What the Panasonic 40mm/2.0 lacks is a neutral aperture, which you can expect with a price of just under 400 euros.

Optical Performance

But let’s look at the optical differences. For simplicity’s sake, I took a photo with an open aperture – that is, with 2.0 on the Lumix lens and 2.8 on the Sigma lens – and both are at the same level, although I think the Lumix is a little sharper. But the difference is really marginal and should hardly be the basis for a corresponding decision.

Because of the better weight and handling, especially with the Lumix S9, I will probably stick with the 40-millimetre Lumix, and I will then sell the 45-mm Sigma again, although it has served me well for many years.

But neither of them is really an alternative. What do you think about the 40mm/2.0, which was recently complemented with the 20mm/2.5? Feel free to write it in the comments.

ciao tuxoche