Sigma DC 883101 18mm
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
What Buyers Say
Sigma DC 883101 18mm
This Sigma 18-250mm all-in-one zoom lens has won over most users with its flexibility and convenience for travel, despite some optical compromises. Several verified buyers praise the weight, build quality, and image stabilization, calling it a solid value for amateur photographers who want to avoid lugging multiple lenses. A few note issues like lens creep, slight distortion, and a noticeable click when the sleep mode activates, but these are widely seen as acceptable trade-offs for the range. Overall, it's a recommended "do-it-all" lens that balances price, portability, and performance well.
Pros
- Great all-in-one zoom range
- Lightweight for a superzoom
- Good image stabilization
- Solid build quality
- Good value versus Canon alternatives
Cons
- Lens creep when pointed down
- Audible click in sleep mode
- Manual focus adjustment needed after zoom
- Some pincushion and barrel distortion
- Slight vignetting at extremes
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
The Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens is widely praised as a versatile all-in-one walk-around lens for APS-C cameras. Users consistently highlight its silent and smooth STM autofocus, effective image stabilization, and useful zoom range that covers wide-angle to short telephoto. While image quality is considered very good for a kit-level zoom, some reviewers note softness at extreme focal lengths, barrel distortion at 18mm, and a variable aperture that limits low-light performance. Build quality is described as mostly plastic but adequate, though the focus-by-wire manual ring and occasional stiff zoom ring draw criticism.
Pros
- Silent and smooth STM autofocus
- Effective image stabilization
- Versatile 18-135mm zoom range
- Good image quality for a kit lens
- Lightweight and compact design
Cons
- Softness at extreme focal lengths
- Barrel distortion at 18mm
- Variable aperture limits low-light use
- Focus-by-wire manual ring
- Plastic build feels cheap
Scores
Specifications
| Sigma DC 883101 18mm | Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | macro | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 250 mm | 135 mm |
| Elements | — | 16 |
| Groups | — | 12 |
| Aspherical Elements | — | 1★ |
| ED Elements | — | 1★ |
| Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating | Super Spectra Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-6.3 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | — | 7★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Canon EF-S |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.47 kg★ | 0.52 kg |
| Filter Thread | 62 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | HSM | STM★ |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops | 4 stops |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 250 mm★ | 390 mm |
| Max Magnification | 1:2.9★ | 0.28x |
Pros & Cons
Sigma DC 883101 18mm
- Strong versatility (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong aperture (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
- Strong bokeh (81st percentile)81st %ile
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
- Strong versatility (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong aperture (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
- Below average user sentiment (32nd percentile)
Verdict
Scores 86 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 22 specs.