Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm
Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 50mm
What Buyers Say
Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm
This Nikon 18-55mm lens is widely praised for its sharpness, light weight, and excellent value for money, especially as a kit lens. Users highlight its vivid colors and quiet autofocus, though some note the plastic build feels fragile and the barrel can wobble at extended focal lengths. Overall, it's considered a fantastic starter lens that outperforms its modest price point.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Lightweight and portable
- Excellent value for money
- Vivid color reproduction
- Quiet autofocus
Cons
- Plastic build feels fragile
- Barrel wobbles at extended focal lengths
- No image stabilization
- Loose tolerances can affect focus
Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 50mm
The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art lens is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and fast, quiet autofocus. Users consistently highlight its premium build quality and excellent value compared to first-party alternatives like Canon L or Nikon G lenses. While many note it is heavier and larger than typical 50mm primes, the image quality and performance are considered well worth the trade-off. A few users mention potential autofocus inconsistencies in low light or with older firmware, but overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness
- Beautiful bokeh
- Fast and quiet autofocus
- Premium build quality
- Great value for money
Cons
- Heavy and bulky
- Autofocus hunts in low light
- Soft edges at f/1.4
- Potential front/back focus issues
- Firmware compatibility concerns
Scores
Specifications
| Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm | Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 50mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 50 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 55 mm | 50 mm |
| Elements | 7 | 14 |
| Groups | 5 | 11 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 1 |
| Coating | Super Integrated Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | f/1.4 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Nikon F |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.20 kg★ | 0.81 kg |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | 77 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | pulse stepping motor★ | HSM |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 55 mm★ | 400 mm |
| Max Magnification | — | 1:6.8★ |
Pros & Cons
Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm
- Strong macro (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 50mm
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong optical (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Pricing
Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm offers 9.4x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 97 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 22 specs.
