Sigma Sports 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
What Buyers Say
Sigma Sports 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS
This Sigma telephoto lens is widely praised for its excellent value, offering impressive reach and image quality at a fraction of the cost of comparable lenses. Users highlight its solid build, effective stabilization, and versatility for wildlife and outdoor photography, though many note it is heavy and struggles in low light. The autofocus can be slow and less accurate beyond 400mm, but manual override helps. Overall, it is considered a fantastic budget-friendly option for enthusiasts.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Impressive reach (600mm)
- Good image stabilization
- Solid build quality
- Versatile for wildlife and outdoor photography
Cons
- Heavy and bulky
- Poor low-light performance
- Slow autofocus beyond 400mm
- Zoom ring requires multiple twists
- Tripod collar is small and uncomfortable
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 Sports 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS | Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 150 mm | 16 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 600 mm | 85 mm |
| Elements | 25 | — |
| Groups | 15 | — |
| Aspherical Elements | 0 | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 6★ | 2 |
| Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating | Super Integrated Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/5 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | 5-6.3 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Nikon F |
| Format | full-frame★ | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 2.10 kg | 0.48 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 95 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | HSM | AF-S |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops | 4 stops |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 580 mm | 380 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:2.9★ | — |
Pros & Cons
Sigma Sports 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS
- Strong optical (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong versatility (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Below average build (11th percentile)11th %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
Pricing
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm offers 5.5x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 5 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 22 specs.
