Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN
Viltrox Air AF 25mm f/1.7 Air E 25mm
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
Viltrox Air AF 25mm f/1.7 Air E 25mm
The Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 lens for Fuji X mount is widely praised for its sharpness, fast and quiet autofocus, and excellent build quality relative to its budget price. Users note it resolves 40MP sensors well and produces beautiful bokeh, though some wish it had an aperture ring with click stops and mention it is heavier than comparable lenses. A few isolated issues include receiving the wrong hood and one copy lacking sharpness compared to the Viltrox 35mm Air lens.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness
- Fast and quiet autofocus
- Great build quality for the price
- Beautiful bokeh
- Resolves 40MP sensors well
Cons
- No aperture ring with click stops
- Heavier than comparable lenses
- Sharpness drops in corners
- Some copies less sharp than Viltrox 35mm Air
- Wrong hood received in one case
Scores
Specifications
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Viltrox Air AF 25mm f/1.7 Air E 25mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 25 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 50 mm | 25 mm |
| Elements | 13 | 12 |
| Groups | 10 | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | 2 |
| ED Elements | 1 | 1 |
| Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating | HD Multilayer Nano Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.7 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.29 kg | 0.17 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | 52 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | stepping motor | STM★ |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 121 mm★ | 300 mm |
| Max Magnification | 1:2.8★ | 0.11x |
Pros & Cons
Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong macro (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong aperture (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
Viltrox Air AF 25mm f/1.7 Air E 25mm
- Strong build (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong optical (74th percentile)
- Below average macro (33rd percentile)
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
Pricing
Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN
Viltrox Air AF 25mm f/1.7 Air E 25mm
No current pricing available
Verdict
Scores 98 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 21 specs.
