Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN
Tamron Di III 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD
What Buyers Say
Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary is widely praised as a compact, lightweight, and sharp standard zoom for APS-C mirrorless cameras. Users consistently highlight its excellent image quality, fast f/2.8 aperture, and affordable price as major strengths, making it a popular upgrade from kit lenses. Common criticisms include the lack of optical stabilization and a poorly designed lens hood, but overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.
Pros
- Excellent image sharpness
- Compact and lightweight design
- Fast f/2.8 constant aperture
- Great value for the price
- Fast and silent autofocus
Cons
- No optical image stabilization
- Poorly designed lens hood
- No weather sealing
- Plastic build quality
- Zoom ring direction opposite to Fujifilm
Tamron Di III 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD
This Tamron 70-300mm lens is widely praised for its excellent value, delivering solid telephoto and macro performance at a budget-friendly price. Many users highlight sharp images at mid-range and macro distances, though some note softness at the long end and noticeable chromatic aberration in high-contrast scenes. Build quality feels good for the price, with a smooth zoom action and metal mount, but a few reviewers experienced focus inconsistency and a slight catch in the zoom ring. Overall, it's a highly recommended budget telephoto for those who can work around its limitations.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Good macro performance (1:2)
- Solid build quality for price
- Sharp images at mid-range and macro
- Fast and accurate autofocus
Cons
- Soft focus at 300mm end
- Noticeable chromatic aberration
- Zoom ring catch around 180-200mm
- Inconsistent autofocus on some bodies
- Not as sharp as premium lenses
Scores
Specifications
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Tamron Di III 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 70 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 50 mm | 300 mm |
| Elements | 13 | 15 |
| Groups | 10 | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | — |
| ED Elements | 1 | 1 |
| Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating | BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | 4.5-6.3 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Nikon Z |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.29 kg★ | 0.54 kg |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | stepping motor | RXD stepping motor |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 121 mm★ | 800 mm |
| Max Magnification | 1:2.8★ | — |
Pros & Cons
Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN
- Strong social proof (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong macro (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong aperture (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
Tamron Di III 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD
- Strong versatility (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong stabilization (80th percentile)80th %ile
- Strong optical (71st percentile)
- Below average bokeh (14th percentile)14th %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (30th percentile)
Verdict
Scores 98 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 21 specs.