Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN
Tamron Di III VC 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
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
Tamron Di III VC 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
The Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 G2 is widely praised for its sharpness, lightweight design, and excellent value compared to pricier OEM alternatives like the Sony 70-200mm GM II. Users highlight fast autofocus, effective image stabilization, and solid build quality, making it a favorite for sports, wildlife, and everyday telephoto shooting. A few concerns include the lack of a 200mm reach, potential dust ingress on the extending front, and isolated reports of gray market units without full warranty. Overall, it delivers professional-grade results at a fraction of the cost.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness across zoom range
- Lightweight and portable design
- Excellent value for money
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Effective image stabilization
Cons
- Lacks 200mm reach of competitors
- Extending front element may collect dust
- Gray market units without full warranty
- Not parfocal
- Incompatible with teleconverters
Scores
Specifications
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Tamron Di III VC 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 70 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 50 mm | 180 mm |
| Elements | 13 | 20 |
| Groups | 10 | 15 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3 | 3 |
| ED Elements | 1 | 4★ |
| Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating | BBAR-G2 |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.29 kg★ | 0.85 kg |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | stepping motor★ | VXD |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 5 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 121 mm★ | 300 mm |
| Max Magnification | 1:2.8 | 1:2.6 |
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 aperture (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong af (86th percentile)86th %ile
Tamron Di III VC 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
- Strong optical (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong stabilization (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong versatility (78th percentile)
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average bokeh (25th percentile)
Pricing
Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN offers 2.7x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 99 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 22 specs.
