Sigma 18 200mm F3 5 6 3 DC Macro OS HSM Review | 54 Data compared

The Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM is a versatile, budget-friendly $399 superzoom for APS-C cameras, offering a compact 27-300mm equivalent range and solid build quality, according to PCMag. It features effective optical stabilization and a 1:3 macro magnification ratio, with sharp center performance at 18mm. However, the lens suffers from notable edge and corner softness throughout the zoom range and significant optical distortions, requiring post-processing corrections. Despite these compromises, the lens is rated highly for its convenience as an all-in-one travel option.

The Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM C (Contemporary) lens for Canon mount is a lightweight, compact, and affordable all-round zoom lens priced at $399. Achieving a DxOMark score of 12 points, it stands out as the best performing model of its type in the database when mounted on a Canon EOS 70D. The review highlights major improvements over its predecessor, specifically emphasizing a redesigned optical formula that reduces size by 11%, sheds weight down to 15.2 ounces, and boosts sharpness significantly at the 200mm focal length range. It features a useful 1:3 maximum magnification for macro work, built-in optical stabilization, a sonic AF motor, and compatibility with Sigma's USB dock for fine-tuning autofocus parameters. The primary pros of the lens are its exceptional value, high peak sharpness, well-controlled vignetting, and low lateral chromatic aberration compared to older models and rivals like the Tamron 18-270mm. Center sharpness wide-open at 200mm is particularly praised, outperforming the competition. However, the lens suffers from notable cons at the wider focal lengths, including an abrupt shift from barrel distortion to pincushion distortion between...

The Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Contemporary lens is a compact, lightweight 11.1x superzoom designed for APS-C sensors, offering a versatile 28.8-320mm equivalent focal length. Key strengths include effective Optical Stabilization (OS), fast HSM focusing, and a 0.32x maximum magnification for close-up capabilities. Conversely, the lens compromises on image quality for its convenience, exhibiting notable softness in the corners and significant distortion at the 18mm end. It also features a variable maximum aperture that slows to f/6.3 at the telephoto end, often resulting in subpar sharpness compared to fixed focal length lenses.

According to ePHOTOzine, the Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Contemporary is a compact, lightweight all-in-one zoom for APS-C cameras, praised for its excellent build, effective stabilization, fast autofocus, and good sharpness across the frame. While providing good value for money, the lens exhibits characteristic superzoom limitations, including noticeable barrel distortion at 18mm and chromatic aberration at the edges when shooting wide open.

The Sigma C 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM review highlights it as a highly versatile "all-in-one" travel lens that successfully prioritizes miniaturisation and improved optical performance over its predecessors. Built with Thermally Stable Composite material, the lens is notably lighter (430g) and more compact than rival stabilized options from Canon or Nikon. A standout feature is its 1:3 macro reproduction ratio, achieved through a reduced minimum focusing distance of 0.39 meters, which is exceptional for a superzoom. Reviewers from LensTip and ePHOTOzine praise its sharp image quality in the frame centre across the entire focal range and its highly efficient Optical Stabilisation (OS) system. However, the lens does have notable drawbacks, particularly regarding vignetting and distortion, which remain significant at both ends of the zoom range. While centre resolution is high, image quality on the edges can be inconsistent, especially when shooting wide open at the maximum aperture. The Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) provides quiet autofocus, but it may struggle with speed in low-light conditions or at the telephoto end. Additionally, some users noted that the manual focus...

The Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Contemporary is a versatile, compact, and lightweight 11x superzoom for APS-C DSLRs that excels as a travel companion. Its primary advantages include improved close-focusing macro capabilities, quiet and rapid autofocus via the HSM motor, and an effective Optical Stabilisation (OS) system. Conversely, the lens, tested on a Canon Rebel T5i, exhibits common superzoom limitations, including a narrow f/6.3 maximum aperture at the telephoto end that restricts low-light performance. While the central image is usable, the samples show corner softness, especially at maximum aperture, alongside noticeable distortion ranging from barrel to pincushion throughout the zoom range. View the sample gallery at DPReview.