Sigma 10 20mm F3 5 EX DC HSM Review | 54 Data compared

The LensTip review concludes that the Sigma 10-20 mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM is a major upgrade over its slower predecessor, delivering a highly competitive, constant f/3.5 aperture for crop-sensor cameras. In terms of performance highlights, the reviewer praises its excellent image quality at the center of the frame across all focal lengths, alongside significantly improved sharpness at the edges—an area that heavily plagued the older model. Additional prominent advantages include its very robust build quality, highly corrected astigmatism, and a fast, silent, and highly accurate Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) autofocus system. Furthermore, the lens exhibits marvelous resistance to ghosting and flares, keeping light artifacts at bay even when shooting directly against bright light or with the sun positioned inside the frame. However, the lens is not without notable optical flaws, particularly at its wider focal lengths. The review details several prominent drawbacks, including very large vignetting (reaching 53% light fall-off at 10mm and f/3.5) and noticeable coma at the widest angle. Distortion is also a mixed bag; while it remains well-controlled at longer focal lengths, it suffers from quite...

The Sigma AF 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM is an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed for APS-C format DSLR cameras, evaluated by Markus Stamm as a faster, constant-aperture follow-up to Sigma's popular f/4.0-5.6 predecessor. A major selling point highlighted in the review is its excellent build quality, featuring a solid inner tube with no wobbling and a dampened zoom and focus ring layout typical of the premium EX line. On the performance side, the integration of a sonic wave Hyper-Sonic Motor (HSM) ensures quiet, smooth autofocusing that remains fully compatible even with motor-free, entry-level Nikon DX bodies, while also offering convenient full-time manual focus override. Additionally, the non-rotating front element makes it incredibly easy to use polarising filters, and the addition of a dedicated AF/M switch is a welcome usability upgrade over the older model. However, the transition to a constant f/3.5 aperture brings notable physical compromises, as the lens has become larger, heavier (520g), and more expensive than its slower sibling. This chunkier footprint results in a very large front thread requirement of 82 mm, meaning users will have to...

The Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM review highlights it as a professional-standard ultra-wide lens that delivers a massive step up from its variable-aperture predecessor. The prominent pros centered around its standout constant f/3.5 maximum aperture, which ensures a bright viewfinder and optimal light transmission across the entire zoom range. Optically, the lens boasts stunning resolution that holds up exceptionally well from wide-open down to f/11. Furthermore, it handles extreme perspective beautifully with negligible visible distortion, making it ideal for tight interior shots and expansive landscapes without bending straight lines. Users will also appreciate the quick, near-silent Hyper-Sonic Motor (HSM) autofocus and a non-rotating manual focus ring that allows for seamless manual adjustments without toggling switches. However, the review points out a few structural cons that slightly hinder its handling. The manual focusing ring is notably stiff to operate, while the adjacent zoom ring is somewhat narrow. The reviewer notes that widening the zoom ring would have required removing the dedicated focused-distance window—a compromise many professionals might not support. On the performance side, dropping down to the minimum aperture of...

The Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM is a well-constructed, constant-aperture ultra-wide-angle lens for APS-C sensors, featuring fast, silent, and accurate autofocus. Key advantages include excellent center sharpness, manageable distortion for its range, and a smooth, robust zoom mechanism, making it ideal for landscape and architecture photography. Conversely, the review notes that while the center is sharp, corner sharpness suffers at wide apertures, along with higher levels of chromatic aberration and noticeable blue ghosting in extreme lighting, compared to its predecessor. Handling issues include a stiff manual focus ring and an inconsistent finish near the mount, though the overall build quality remains high.

The Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM is a well-built, high-performing ultra-wide-angle zoom designed for APS-C sensors, featuring a constant f/3.5 maximum aperture for consistent exposure and a solid, durable EX series construction with fast, quiet HSM autofocus. While praised for its versatility in landscape and interior photography, the lens suffers from notable optical drawbacks, including inconsistent left-side sharpness, barrel distortion at 10mm, and significant vignetting when wide open, according to the review.

The Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM is a highly capable ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed specifically for digital cameras with APS-C size sensors. Weighing 520 grams (18.3 oz) and measuring 87.3mm by 88.2mm, this compact lens features an 82mm filter thread and an impressive field of view ranging from 63.8 to 102.4 degrees. Built with 13 elements in 10 groups and seven diaphragm blades, it also includes a petal-type lens hood and boasts a close minimum focusing distance of just 24cm (9.4 inches). The reviewer tested its real-world performance during a trip through the Gulf Islands in British Columbia, Canada, ultimately finding it to be an absolute pleasure to operate. A standout pro of this lens is its constant maximum aperture of f/3.5, which remains fixed across the entire 10-20mm zoom range. It also features Sigma’s premium EX external coating for superior build quality and a Hyper-Sonic Motor (HSM) that ensures quieter autofocus operation than standard zoom motors. On the downside, the reviewer notes that the HSM autofocus mechanism is not entirely silent. Additionally, the lack of an image stabilization...

The Sigma 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM is a sturdy, lightweight wide-angle zoom lens designed for cropped sensor (APS-C, DX) cameras that excels as a durable workhorse for landscape, adventure, and event photography. Weighing 18.3 ounces and measuring 3.4 by 3.5 inches, its compact, stubby build makes it highly portable and nimble to handle in harsh real-world conditions. Key strengths include a fast, quiet, and highly accurate autofocus system that features a non-rotating front element, allowing photographers to easily use circular polarisers. Furthermore, it delivers impressive image quality, commendable color and contrast, low distortion even at 10mm, minimal vignetting, and exceptional sharpness across the corners, particularly when shooting between F5.6 and F8. Despite its high performance, the lens does have a few drawbacks that potential buyers should consider before purchasing. The most notable omission is the total lack of built-in image stabilization, which could be a deciding factor for some photographers, even if it is less critical at such wide focal lengths. Additionally, while chromatic aberration remains surprisingly low when shooting wide open at wider apertures, faint purple fringing begins...

The Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM lens is an ultra-wide zoom for APS-C DSLRs offering a constant f/3.5 aperture, which provides a bright view, quick HSM autofocus, and robust build quality suitable for landscapes and interiors. However, the lens suffers from noticeable barrel distortion and chromatic aberration at 10mm, along with soft corners, vignetting, and a heavy, 82mm filter-reliant design.

The Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM is a solid, older ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed for APS-C format cameras that offers a constant f/3.5 aperture throughout its zoom range. Reviewers praise the lens for its excellent optical quality and highly effective control over barrel distortion and colour fringing, making it an affordable, high-value choice that produces clean and sharp images. It features a conventional design allowing for easy filter use via an 82mm thread, and it comes packaged with a separate petal-shaped lens hood and a soft padded case. However, the lens does have notable drawbacks, particularly its lack of weather-sealing and its large, heavy build featuring a massive front element. In terms of performance, it suffers from poor corner-sharpness compared to rivals and completely lacks optical image stabilisation, requiring extra caution with shutter speeds when shooting handheld. Despite these issues with corner clarity and bulk, its robust centre-sharpness, strong distortion control, and budget-friendly price tag make it a compelling wide-angle option.

The Imaging Resource review of the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM highlights a versatile, constant-aperture ultra-wide zoom designed for APS-C sensors that delivers excellent center sharpness and features a fast, near-silent Hyper-Sonic Motor (HSM). It offers improved corner shading and minimal barrel distortion compared to previous models. Technical drawbacks, or cons, include higher chromatic aberration than the older version, weakened image quality at the 17-20mm range, and poor macro performance. Furthermore, some vignetting is present, and the lens is not suitable for full-frame cameras.