Sigma 10 20mm F4 5 6 EX DC HSM Review | 54 Data compared

The Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM is a budget-conscious, well-built ultra-wideangle zoom for APS-C DSLRs that offers the widest field of view in its class, exceptional sharpness at some settings, low chromatic aberration, and fast, accurate autofocus. However, the lens suffers from inconsistent sharpness with soft, smeared corners at wide apertures, complex distortion at 10mm, and a relatively slow variable maximum aperture.

The Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM is a budget-friendly ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed specifically for APS-C crop-sensor DSLRs, offering a wide field of view ranging from 63.8 to 102.4 degrees. A major strength of this lens is its impressive central sharpness when shot wide open across the entire zoom range, alongside a robust build quality that features smooth focus and zoom operations with zero barrel creep. Optical distortion is also handled remarkably well; severe barrel distortion (1.3%) at the 10mm end quickly transitions to slight pincushioning at 12mm, but because this geometric distortion is restricted almost entirely to the extreme corners, the average image remains highly rectilinear. Additionally, it features a quiet and fast Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) autofocus system and full-time manual focusing. However, the lens does compromise on certain optical properties, particularly at its maximum wide-angle settings. Chromatic aberration and light falloff (vignetting) are noticeably high at 10mm, though the worst color fringing is confined mostly to the absolute edges and corner sharpness requires stopping down to f/8 to flatten out. The zoom ring feels slightly stiffer...

The Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens is a highly useful and affordable ultra-wide zoom for APS-C DSLR users, noted for its solid EX-build quality, quick HSM autofocus, and convenient non-rotating front element for filters. Its extreme 10mm focal length allows for unique, expansive perspectives, making it suitable for landscape and interior photography. However, the lens is constrained by a narrow, variable f/4-5.6 aperture, limiting low-light performance and bokeh capabilities. It also shows noticeable peripheral vignetting, chromatic aberration, and potential soft corners at 10mm, while strictly requiring APS-C sensors due to its smaller image circle.

The Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC A-mount lens is highly praised by reviewers for its ultra-wide angle capabilities, solid build quality, and excellent value for money, making it a popular choice for landscape and architectural photography on APS-C cameras. Users consistently highlight its impressive centre sharpness, natural colour reproduction, and minimal geometric distortion for such a wide focal length. Many reviewers note that the lens performs exceptionally well when stepped down to apertures between f/8 and f/11, offering a massive depth of field. Additional pros include its relatively lightweight and compact design, smooth zoom and focus controls, and a non-rotating front element that allows for easy filter attachment, though several users point out that 77mm filters can be quite expensive. Conversely, the lens has several notable drawbacks, with poor flare control being the most frequently cited issue, often causing prominent ghosting, magenta streaks, or large green blobs when shooting directly toward or near the sun. Its slow and variable maximum aperture (f/4-5.6) makes it less suitable for low-light indoor photography without a tripod or external flash, which is necessary anyway...

The Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC is an ultra-wide-angle lens designed for APS-C sensors, providing a high-value option for landscape and architectural photography with excellent center sharpness. Weighing only slightly more than a standard zoom, the lens delivers strong image quality, particularly at its widest 10mm setting. While offering impressive performance, the lens exhibits a drop-off in edge sharpness, resulting in softish borders in the middle of the zoom range. Additionally, slight pincushion distortion is present at the 20mm focal length, though it remains a recommended, robustly built option for its class.

The Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens offers high-quality construction with a durable, matte finish, a weighty 470g build, and secure rubber zoom and focus rings. Its performance highlights include very good resolution that ranks second only to Nikon at its widest angle, alongside exceptionally well-controlled distortion throughout the entire zoom range. For features, the Canon, Nikon, and Sigma mount versions benefit from a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) that delivers quick and quiet autofocus. Furthermore, the lens scores excellently in value, design, and features, making it a highly respectable choice for photographers looking for a budget-friendly wide-angle zoom. However, the lens is held back by notable flaws in optical performance, particularly regarding severe chromatic aberration and poor control over fringing. Image quality suffers from a lack of critical sharpness, leading to corner smudging that is more prominent than on competing models, while central sharpness is good but not outstanding. In terms of handling, the zoom action and focus ring have slightly more mechanical resistance and stiffness than rival models. Additionally, the HSM autofocus mechanism exhibits a slightly juddery feel,...

Summary The Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM is a discontinued, highly durable ultra-wide-angle lens designed for DX-format (crop sensor) DSLRs, offering an expansive horizontal view equivalent to a 15-30mm lens on full-frame cameras. In terms of advantages, the lens boasts an exceptionally sharp and consistent performance in the center across all focal lengths. Its robust build quality stands up well to extreme physical abuse and environmental exposure. Additionally, the internal Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) delivers quick, quiet, and responsive autofocusing that seamlessly mimics Nikon's AF-S system. Handling is also a strong suit, as the lens balances beautifully on DX bodies and remains compact without extending during zooming or focusing. However, the lens has several notable optical drawbacks, particularly at its widest 10mm setting. It suffers from complex, non-linear "mustache" distortion at the edges that is difficult to correct in post-processing, alongside weak corner sharpness when shot wide open. Corner performance drops further on modern 24-megapixel sensors. Chromatic aberrations peak at 10mm when stopped down to the optimal f/8 aperture, and persistent vignetting never fully disappears even at f/11. Furthermore,...