Sigma Contemporary 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM
Sigma
86 Overall Score
vs
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
Tamron
100 Overall Score
What Buyers Say
Sigma Contemporary 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM
No customer feedback yet
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
82 out of 100 medium confidence 16 reviews
The Tamron 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD is widely praised as a versatile all-in-one zoom for Sony APS-C cameras. Users love the incredible 16.6x range, close focusing at the wide end, and solid image quality, though some note softness beyond 70-80mm and slow autofocus. The lens is heavier than typical crop-sensor lenses but still considered portable. A few verified buyers report issues with sharpness at the telephoto end and a stiff zoom ring, but the majority find it an excellent walk-around lens that replaces multiple primes and zooms.
Pros
- Incredible 16.6x zoom range
- Close focusing at wide end (semi-macro)
- Good image quality and color rendition
- Solid build with weather sealing
- Effective vibration compensation (VC)
Cons
- Softness beyond 70-80mm
- Slow autofocus compared to smaller zooms
- Heavy and bulky for APS-C
- Stiff zoom ring when zooming out
- Moderate distortion at both ends
Zoom range 12
Image quality 10
Autofocus speed 6
Build quality 8
Weight and size 7
Close focusing 5
Scores
Budget
Portrait
Travel
Wildlife Sports
Macro
Video Cinema
Landscape
Street
Professional
Specifications
| Sigma Contemporary 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM | Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | macro | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 300 mm | 300 mm |
| Elements | 8 | 19 |
| Groups | — | 5 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3 | 3 |
| ED Elements | 5★ | 4 |
| Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating | Fluorine Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-6.3 | 3.5-6.3 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.12 kg★ | 0.62 kg |
| Filter Thread | 72 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | HSM | VXD linear motor★ |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 396 mm | 150 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:3 | 1:2 |
Pros & Cons
Sigma Contemporary 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM
- Strong versatility (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong build (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong aperture (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
- Strong bokeh (81st percentile)81st %ile
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
- Strong versatility (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong optical (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong macro (87th percentile)87th %ile
Pricing
Sigma Contemporary 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM0.114score per dollar
vs
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD0.185score per dollar
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD offers 1.6x better value for money
Verdict
Winner: Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
Scores 100 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 21 specs.
