Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN
What Buyers Say
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
The Nikon 16-85mm VR is widely praised as an excellent all-around zoom for DX cameras, delivering sharp images across the focal range with effective VR. Users note it outperforms kit lenses like the 18-105mm and even rivals the pricier 17-55mm in sharpness, though it is heavy and somewhat slow (f/3.5-5.6). Build quality is solid with a metal barrel, and the 16mm wide end is a key advantage for landscapes. Some caution about vignetting with thick filters and barrel distortion at 16mm, but overall it is considered a worthy investment for enthusiasts.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness across focal range
- Effective VR II image stabilization
- Solid build with metal barrel
- Useful 16-85mm zoom range
- Great for landscapes and travel
Cons
- Heavy weight (3.1 lb with D90)
- Slow aperture (f/3.5-5.6)
- Expensive for an f/3.5-5.6 lens
- Barrel distortion at 16mm
- Vignetting with thick filters at 16mm
Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN
The Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary lens is highly praised for its compact, lightweight design and sharp image quality, making it an excellent choice for travel and real estate photography on APS-C cameras. Users appreciate the fast f/2.8 aperture for low-light performance and pleasing background blur, though some note the lack of in-lens stabilization and the need for post-production correction of distortion and vignetting on certain camera systems.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight design
- Sharp image quality across frame
- Fast f/2.8 constant aperture
- Excellent for travel and landscapes
- Good low-light performance
Cons
- No in-lens image stabilization
- Distortion and vignetting need post-production correction
- Lacks aperture ring on some versions
- No USB dock for firmware updates
- In-camera focus stacking not supported on Canon R7
Scores
Specifications
| Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm | Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 16 mm | 10 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 85 mm | 18 mm |
| Elements | — | 13 |
| Groups | — | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 2 | 4★ |
| Coating | Super Integrated Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.48 kg | 0.26 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | AF-S | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 380 mm | 117 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | — | 1:4★ |
Pros & Cons
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
- Strong versatility (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong aperture (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN
- Strong social proof (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong macro (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong aperture (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong build (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Pricing
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm offers 1.8x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 94 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 22 specs.
