With or without ART? That is the question.

For quite some time I have been interested for the Sigma 30mm f / 2.8. Because now even the new version has been thrown on the market, I've just ordered both times and compared in detail. For simplicity I call the Sigma 30mm f / 2.8 EX DN the Old and the Sigma f / 2.8 DN ART the New.
I want above all to clarify whether it is worth the current charge of EUR 50-70 for the New.

+++++ What has remained? +++++

- The two are almost the same size. The New is only 1.9mm longer. At the weight has not changed so nearly.

- After extensive testing I can say that the picture quality is exactly the same, but really is not surprising. The published by Sigma MFT curves have this already indicated, because they are exactly the same. But the image quality there was anyway not too much to complain.

- The autofocus is still very fast and almost silent. Remained too is the clatter in the off state and the rather long Anschaltedauer.

+++++ What has changed? +++++

- Not to be overlooked is the course the revised design. The housing is made of plastic, but somewhat smoother than that of the old. The focus ring is no longer fluted when new, but has a metallic-like coating. Looks total really classy and feels great.

- As with the Sigma 19mm has now a new thread for a lens hood, which is also supplied. This fits even to the Sigma 19mm and vice versa.

+++++ What I liked? +++++

- Of course, everything that he also in old already was good: Sharp images, fast and quiet autofocus, very good workmanship, compact dimensions, low price.

- Toll I think the natural lens hoods-threaded and that it is also supplied the same. In addition, they can also be reversed to transport around screw.

+++++ What I did not like? +++++

- The first question that is likely to make many: Is the focus ring really as smooth as it looks and can thus focus manually worse? The simple answer is YES !!! The focus ring is pretty much the smoothest on the lens, even smoother than the rest of the case. Although I had to focus manually no problems in my test shots, but I also had dry hands. With a little sweaty fingers, manual focus could become a problem.

- On the smooth shiny surfaces of the focus ring can be seen really any fingerprint. Without detergent can this also be difficult again get properly cleaned. Whether that's in the silver variant just I can not judge, I had only the black.

-------------- Be worth paying the extra compared to the old? ----------------

- The best offers for the New, that I have found were 169.90 EUR. The old there for MFT for 120 EUR and for Sony NEX even for 100 EUR.

- In my opinion, the extra cost is not worth. The lens hood and the new design are simply too little. Only those who have in the Old eagerly a lens hood that is not screwed into the filter thread missing, can remember going to grab new ones. Also whom design above all else and before is focused seldom manually the new certainly be happy to me.
All others should rather first wait until the prices have something closer and then think again about a purchase. For frequent-manual focuser, but will continue the old remain the better choice.