Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN

Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN

Sigma
99 Overall Score
vs
Canon L-series EF 70-200mm f/4L USM

Canon L-series EF 70-200mm f/4L USM

Canon
83 Overall Score

What Buyers Say

Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN

88 out of 100 high confidence 91 reviews

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
👍 Image quality 25
🤔 Build quality 12
👍 Value for money 18
👍 Size and weight 20
👍 Autofocus performance 10
👎 Stabilization 8

Canon L-series EF 70-200mm f/4L USM

88 out of 100 high confidence 186 reviews

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II USM is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, lightweight design, and effective image stabilization. Users consistently highlight the lens's superb image quality, fast autofocus, and excellent value compared to the heavier f/2.8 version. A few criticisms include the lack of an included tripod collar and some reports of IS noise or autofocus issues in low light. Overall, it is considered a top-tier telephoto zoom for enthusiasts and professionals who prioritize portability.

Pros
  • Exceptional sharpness across zoom range
  • Lightweight and portable design
  • Effective 5-stop image stabilization
  • Fast and accurate autofocus
  • Excellent image quality and color
Cons
  • Tripod collar not included
  • IS noise in some units
  • Autofocus issues in low light
  • No teleconverter compatibility
  • High price point
👍 Image quality 35
👍 Sharpness 28
👍 Weight and portability 22
👍 Image stabilization 18
👍 Autofocus performance 15
👍 Value for money 12

Scores

Travel
Sigma
100
Canon
67
Budget
Sigma
96
Canon
88
Street
Sigma
96
Canon
75
Professional
Sigma
91
Canon
82
Portrait
Sigma
88
Canon
81
Macro
Sigma
88
Canon
56
Video Cinema
Sigma
86
Canon
79
Landscape
Sigma
80
Canon
72
Wildlife Sports
Sigma
76
Canon
71

Specifications

Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DNCanon L-series EF 70-200mm f/4L USM
Optics
Typezoomzoom
Focal Length Min18 mm70 mm
Focal Length Max50 mm200 mm
Elements1316
Groups1013
Aspherical Elements3★0
ED Elements12★
CoatingSuper Multi-Layer CoatingFluorite element
Aperture
Max Aperturef/2.8f/4
Min Aperturef/2.8f/4
Constant✓✓
Diaphragm Blades79★
Build
MountSony ECanon EF
FormatAPS-Cfull-frame★
Weather Sealed✓✓
Weight0.29 kg★0.71 kg
Filter Thread55 mm67 mm
AF & Stabilization
AF Typestepping motorring-type USM★
Stabilization✗✗
Stabilization Stops—5 stops★
Focus
Min Focus Distance121 mm★1.19 m
Max Magnification1:2.8★0.28x

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

Canon L-series EF 70-200mm f/4L USM

  • Strong af (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
  • Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
  • Strong optical (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
  • Strong user sentiment (81st percentile)81st %ile
  • Below average macro (30th percentile)

Pricing

Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN is $375 cheaper (1.7x less).

Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN0.174score per dollar
vs
Canon L-series EF 70-200mm f/4L USM0.088score per dollar

Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN offers 2.0x better value for money

Verdict

★ Winner: Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN

Scores 99 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 22 specs.

Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Better at:

MacroBudgetStreetTravelPortraitLandscapeProfessionalVideo CinemaWildlife Sports

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