Sigma
30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k
 vs
Pentax SMC
FA 31mm f/1.8

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k
Wider aperture f/1.4 vs f/1.8
Help
 At its widest, the 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k captures much more light, 0.7 f-stops
Cheaper $439.00 vs $1,296.95
Help
 The best price we've seen is $858 cheaper (3x less)
Slightly shorter 59 mm vs 69 mm
Help
 More than 10% shorter
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k Learn more about
the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k

Reasons to consider the Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8
Narrower aperture f/22 vs f/16
Help
 At its narrowest, the FA 31mm f/1.8 goes 0.9 f-stops narrower
Slightly more magnification 1:6.2 (0.2x) vs 1:10 (0.1x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects 60% larger in your photo
Pentax SMC FA 31mm f/1.8 Learn more about
the Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Aperture Wide aperture Help
30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k:f/1.4
FA 31mm f/1.8:f/1.8
Prime lens Fixed focal length prime lenses Help
Typically very sharp
Length Short Help
30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k:59 mm
FA 31mm f/1.8:69 mm
Focus motor No silent focus motor Help
Louder and slower
Max focal length Poor telephoto Help
30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k:30 mm
FA 31mm f/1.8:31 mm
Zoom range Poor zoom Help
1x
Magnification Poor magnification Help
30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k:1:10 (0.1x)
FA 31mm f/1.8:1:6.2 (0.2x)

Compared to low light lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Auto focus Auto focus Help
Easier to use

LensHero is not aware of any interesting weaknesses shared by these two products.

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Pentax SMC DA 21mm f/3.2 AL

Pentax SMC DA 21mm f/3.2 AL

Lens

$647
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the SMC DA 21mm f/3.2 AL vs the 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k
Compare the SMC DA 21mm f/3.2 AL vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Pentax SMC FA 50mm f/1.4

Pentax SMC FA 50mm f/1.4

Low light lens

$447
Compare the SMC FA 50mm f/1.4 vs the 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k
Compare the SMC FA 50mm f/1.4 vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Fujifilm 35mm f/1.4 XF R

Fujifilm 35mm f/1.4 XF R

Low light lens
Compare the 35mm f/1.4 XF R vs the 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k
Compare the 35mm f/1.4 XF R vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Pentax SMC DA 40mm f/2.8

Pentax SMC DA 40mm f/2.8

Lens

$497
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the SMC DA 40mm f/2.8 vs the 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k
Compare the SMC DA 40mm f/2.8 vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Pentax SMC FA 43mm f/1.9

Pentax SMC FA 43mm f/1.9

Low light lens

$747
Compare the SMC FA 43mm f/1.9 vs the 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k
Compare the SMC FA 43mm f/1.9 vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Nikon Nikkor 35mm f/1.4 AIS

Nikon Nikkor 35mm f/1.4 AIS

Low light lens

$799
Auto focus Lacks autofocus
Compare the Nikkor 35mm f/1.4 AIS vs the 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k
Compare the Nikkor 35mm f/1.4 AIS vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Pentax SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM

Pentax SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM

Low light lens

$797
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Compare the SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM vs the 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k
Compare the SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Pentax SMC 35mm DA L f/2.4 AL

Pentax SMC 35mm DA L f/2.4 AL

Low light lens

$217
Wide maximum Narrower aperture
Magnification Slightly more magnification
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the SMC 35mm DA L f/2.4 AL vs the 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k
Pentax SMC DA 40mm f/2.8 XS

Pentax SMC DA 40mm f/2.8 XS

Lens

$247
Weight Slightly lighter
Magnification Slightly more magnification
Aperture Significantly narrower aperture
Compare the SMC DA 40mm f/2.8 XS vs the 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k
Sigma 28mm f/1.8 EX DG DF Macro Pentax-k

Sigma 28mm f/1.8 EX DG DF Macro Pentax-k

Low light lens

$349
Magnification More magnification
Wide maximum Narrower aperture
Aperture Narrower aperture
Length Slightly longer
Compare the 28mm f/1.8 EX DG DF Macro Pentax-k vs the 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k

Pentax SMC FA 31mm f/1.8 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Zeiss Distagon 28mm f/2 T* ZK Pentax-k

Zeiss Distagon 28mm f/2 T* ZK Pentax-k

Low light lens

$1,228
Magnification Slightly more magnification
Auto focus Auto focus
Aperture Slightly narrower aperture
Compare the Distagon 28mm f/2 T* ZK Pentax-k vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Olympus M.Zuiko 17mm f/2.8

Olympus M.Zuiko 17mm f/2.8

Lens

$299
Lowest price Cheaper
Weight Slightly lighter
Aperture Narrower aperture
Magnification Slightly less magnification
Compare the M.Zuiko 17mm f/2.8 vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Zeiss Distagon 35mm T* f/2 ZE Canon-ef

Zeiss Distagon 35mm T* f/2 ZE Canon-ef

Low light lens

$1,117
Auto focus Auto focus
Length Longer
Compare the Distagon 35mm T* f/2 ZE Canon-ef vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM A1 Pentax-k

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM A1 Pentax-k

Low light lens

$899
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Aperture Wider aperture
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM A1 Pentax-k vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM

Low light lens

$1,329
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Aperture Wider aperture
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the EF 35mm f/1.4L USM vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8

discussion Which do you think is better?

Speech is free, but discussion at LensHero is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of these lenses here, and discuss feedback for LensHero at our support community.

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