Sigma DC 883101 18mm
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
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
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
The Panasonic 8-18mm f/2.8-4 lens is highly praised for its excellent image quality, sharpness, and build. Users appreciate its compact size, light weight, and the ability to use screw-on filters, which is a key advantage over some competitors. While a few users noted it is pricey and one had sharpness issues on an Olympus body, the overwhelming majority recommend it for landscapes, interiors, and travel photography.
Pros
- Excellent image quality
- Sharp and crisp
- Compact and lightweight
- Accepts screw-on filters
- Weather-sealed
Cons
- Pricey
- Variable aperture
- No OIS
- Sharpness issues on some Olympus bodies
- Slight distortion at 8mm
Scores
Specifications
| Sigma DC 883101 18mm | Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | macro | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 8 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 250 mm | 18 mm |
| Elements | — | 15 |
| Groups | — | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | — | 4★ |
| ED Elements | — | 3★ |
| Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating | Nano Surface Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-6.3 | 2.8-4 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | — | 7★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | APS-C★ | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.47 kg | 0.31 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 62 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | HSM | 240-fps autofocus drive |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 250 mm | 230 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:2.9★ | 0.12x |
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
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
- Strong optical (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong aperture (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong bokeh (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong build (84th percentile)84th %ile
Pricing
Sigma DC 883101 18mm offers 1.3x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 22 specs.
