Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN
Nikon Micro-NIKKOR 1989 200mm
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
Nikon Micro-NIKKOR 1989 200mm
The Nikon 200mm f/4D ED-IF AF Micro-Nikkor is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, excellent working distance, and robust build quality. Users highlight its superb image quality for macro and telephoto use, though many note its heavy weight and noisy, slower autofocus. A few reported issues with AF ring fracture and unresponsive sellers, but overall sentiment is very positive.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness edge-to-edge
- Excellent working distance for macro
- Robust build quality (metal body)
- Smooth manual focus ring
- Versatile as macro and telephoto lens
Cons
- Heavy weight
- Noisy autofocus
- Slow autofocus speed
- AF ring fracture issue reported
- Difficult to handhold
Scores
Specifications
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Nikon Micro-NIKKOR 1989 200mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | macro |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 200 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 50 mm | 200 mm |
| Elements | 13 | — |
| Groups | 10 | — |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | — |
| ED Elements | 1 | 1 |
| Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating | Extra-low dispersion (ED) glass |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7★ | — |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Nikon F |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.29 kg★ | 1.19 kg |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | 62 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | stepping motor★ | A/M (automatic/manual) switch |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 121 mm★ | 493 mm |
| Max Magnification | 1:2.8 | 1:1 |
Pros & Cons
Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN
- Strong macro (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong social proof (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong af (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong build (86th percentile)86th %ile
Nikon Micro-NIKKOR 1989 200mm
- Strong stabilization (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
- Strong user sentiment (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Strong aperture (66th percentile)
- Below average af (13th percentile)13th %ile
- Below average build (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
Verdict
Scores 98 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 21 specs.