Sigma APO DG OS HSM 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 AF APO DG OS HSM
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
What Buyers Say
Sigma APO DG OS HSM 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 AF APO DG OS HSM
The Sigma 120-400mm lens receives mixed feedback. Many users praise its image quality, optical stabilization, and value for money compared to Canon's 100-400 L series, but note it is very heavy and requires good light for sharp results. A few reviewers experienced severe blurriness or autofocus issues, while others found it excellent for wildlife and sports photography when used correctly.
Pros
- Good image quality for the price
- Effective optical stabilization
- Quiet and fast HSM autofocus
- Solid build quality
- Good value compared to Canon 100-400 L
Cons
- Very heavy and bulky
- Requires good light for sharpness
- Lens creep when pointed down
- Autofocus can hunt or shake initially
- OS cannot be used on tripod
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
The Nikon 16-85mm VR is widely praised as an excellent all-around zoom for DX cameras, delivering sharp images across the focal range with effective VR. Users note it outperforms kit lenses like the 18-105mm and even rivals the pricier 17-55mm in sharpness, though it is heavy and somewhat slow (f/3.5-5.6). Build quality is solid with a metal barrel, and the 16mm wide end is a key advantage for landscapes. Some caution about vignetting with thick filters and barrel distortion at 16mm, but overall it is considered a worthy investment for enthusiasts.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness across focal range
- Effective VR II image stabilization
- Solid build with metal barrel
- Useful 16-85mm zoom range
- Great for landscapes and travel
Cons
- Heavy weight (3.1 lb with D90)
- Slow aperture (f/3.5-5.6)
- Expensive for an f/3.5-5.6 lens
- Barrel distortion at 16mm
- Vignetting with thick filters at 16mm
Scores
Specifications
| Sigma APO DG OS HSM 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 AF APO DG OS HSM | Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | telephoto | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 120 mm | 16 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 400 mm | 85 mm |
| Elements | 21 | — |
| Groups | 15 | — |
| Aspherical Elements | — | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 3★ | 2 |
| Coating | Super multi-layer coating | Super Integrated Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4.5 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | 4.5-5.6 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Nikon F |
| Format | full-frame★ | APS-C |
| Weight | 1.64 kg | 0.48 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 77 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | HSM | AF-S |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops | 4 stops |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 1.50 m | 380 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:4.2★ | — |
Pros & Cons
Sigma APO DG OS HSM 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 AF APO DG OS HSM
- Strong optical (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong versatility (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Strong bokeh (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
- Below average build (9th percentile)9th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (17th percentile)17th %ile
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
- Strong versatility (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong aperture (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 21 specs.