Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN 18-50mm
A constant f/2.8 aperture across the 18-50mm zoom range is packed into a weather-sealed body weighing just 290g, making it exceptionally portable for APS-C mirrorless systems. Its stepping motor delivers fast, quiet autofocus and the 4.8-inch minimum focus distance enables 1:2.8 magnification macro-style close-ups. This lens is best for travel photographers and hybrid shooters who need a lightweight, versatile standard zoom without sacrificing low-light capability.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong macro (91st percentile) 91st
- Strong social proof (88th percentile) 88th
- Strong af (86th percentile) 86th
- Strong build (83rd percentile) 83rd
Cons
- Below average bokeh (16th percentile)
- Below average aperture (24th percentile)
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 59 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 18 |
| Focal Length Max | 50 |
| Elements | 13 |
| Groups | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3 |
| ED Elements | 1 |
| Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 |
Build
| Mount | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.3 kg / 0.6 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 55 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | stepping motor |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 121 |
| Max Magnification | 1:2.8 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN 18-50mm | Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD | Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM | Panasonic LUMIX S S-R28200 | Nikon NIKKOR AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR | Sony G Master SEL70200GM2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 18-50mm | 18-300mm | 28-70mm | 28-200mm | 16-85mm | 70-200mm |
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/3.5 | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/3.5 | f/2.8 |
| Mount | Sony E | Fujifilm X | Canon RF | L-Mount | Nikon F | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | false | true | true | false | true |
| Weight (g) | 290 | 92 | 495 | 413 | 59 | 1045 |
| AF Type | stepping motor | VXD linear motor | STM | Autofocus | AF-S | XD Linear Motors |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | zoom | macro | zoom | telephoto |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN 18-50mm | 85.5 | 15.7 | 83.2 | 90.9 | 79 | 24.2 | 78.5 | 87.9 | 35.6 |
| Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Compare | 98.1 | 75 | 96.3 | 88.4 | 73.5 | 77 | 99.2 | 83 | 80.5 |
| Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM Compare | 85.5 | 86.2 | 67.2 | 77.4 | 84.4 | 83.8 | 77.4 | 87.9 | 98.2 |
| Panasonic LUMIX S S-R28200 Compare | 54.7 | 77.9 | 73.9 | 89.5 | 90.9 | 71.5 | 95.7 | 75.3 | 99.4 |
| Nikon NIKKOR AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Compare | 54.7 | 75 | 98.4 | 59.8 | 64.1 | 77 | 94.3 | 87.9 | 92.2 |
| Sony G Master SEL70200GM2 Compare | 98.1 | 90.8 | 33.5 | 33.1 | 87.1 | 83.8 | 79.4 | 94.8 | 80.5 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Amazon.ca 1 offer From CA$760
Bestbuy.ca 2 offers From CA$830
B&H Photo 1 offer From CA$906
Price History
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
