Sigma 18 250mm F3 5 6 3 DC OS Macro HSM Review | 54 Data compared

The Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM is a compact, versatile superzoom, highlighted for its class-leading 1:2.9 magnification ratio and Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) construction that reduces size and weight. The lens features a fast, quiet Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) and effective Optical Stabilizer (OS), making it a suitable, convenient travel companion for varied shooting conditions. However, the review notes compromises typical of high-ratio zooms, including disappointing corner sharpness beyond 28mm and visible chromatic aberration at zoom extremes. Additionally, the lens exhibits lower stabilization effectiveness at close range and a slightly loose manual focus ring, with optimal results often requiring smaller apertures like F8 or F11.

The Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM is a compact, lightweight "walkabout" super-zoom lens designed for APS-C format DSLRs, acting as a highly flexible and affordable alternative to carrying multiple prime lenses. Evaluated with a DxOMark score of 10 on Canon bodies and 12 on Nikon bodies, the lens performs best at its wider 18mm end (especially between f/3.5 and f/5.6), making it a solid choice for handheld landscapes and interiors. It delivers decent overall sharpness for a 13x super-zoom, slightly outperforming its 2009 predecessor in resolution—particularly in the 135mm to 250mm range. Additionally, it boasts improved, well-controlled vignetting across most focal lengths and stands out as a compelling, budget-friendly option compared to more expensive brand-name rivals. However, the lens stretches optical technology to its limits, resulting in several notable compromises. Its primary drawbacks include significant and distracting pincushion distortion across the 28mm to 135mm range, which limits its usefulness for architectural photography. Sharpness is also non-uniform over the field, falling off drastically with a disappointing acutance of under 50% at the corners from 28mm up to 250mm. Furthermore,...

The Photo Review assessment highlights the Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM lens as a versatile, compact, and lightweight "superzoom" for APS-C cameras, featuring a 13.8x zoom range, effective 4-stop stabilization, and impressive close-focusing macro capabilities. While offering fast and quiet autofocus, the lens exhibits significant barrel distortion at 18mm, corner softness when wide open, and chromatic aberration, requiring stopping down to f/8 or f/11 for optimal sharpness.

The Sigma 18-250 mm OS Macro (released in mid-2012) is a compact, lightweight walk-around zoom lens designed specifically for APS-C/DX sensor cameras, offering a versatile 14x zoom range equivalent to 27-375 mm on full-frame systems. Weighing just 470 grams and measuring under 9 cm in its most compact configuration, it is highly portable but robustly built, featuring a fast Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) for quick autofocus and a close-up magnification ratio of 1:1.5. Optically, the lens delivers good sharpness in the center—particularly at f/8 and at the extreme focal lengths of 18 mm and 250 mm—while maintaining surprisingly low levels of vignetting and minimal chromatic aberration in JPG files. The review highlights several distinct pros and cons for photographers to consider before purchasing. On the positive side, its main advantages are its large zoom range, compact and light build, attractive pricing, and impressive near-macro capabilities. However, the lens suffers from a slow maximum aperture at the telephoto end (f/6.3 at 250 mm) and experiences a "predisposition towards random misfocusing" when shooting at 250 mm. Furthermore, it exhibits heavy distortion that...

The DPReview evaluation of the Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM highlights a modern, lightweight lens with a solid metal mount and effective zoom creep control, allowing for minimal barrel movement at 250mm. External advantages include an evenly tensioned zoom ring and strategically placed barrel switches for quick operation. DPReview Conversely, the double-trombone design significantly increases the lens's length at telephoto ranges. Additionally, the lens is constrained by a slow variable aperture, decreased stabilization efficiency in macro mode, and a manual focus ring that lacks a depth-of-field scale.

The CNET review of the Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM highlights this superzoom as a compact, lightweight, and versatile travel lens for APS-C DSLR users. Key strengths include impressive sharpness at the 250mm telephoto end, effective optical stabilization, and a versatile, high-magnification range for everyday shooting. While providing excellent value, the lens lacks full-time manual focus override in autofocus (AF) mode, requiring users to switch to manual focus (MF) for fine-tuning. Overall, the review recommends the lens for photographers seeking an all-in-one, portable solution that avoids frequent lens changes, as noted in the full CNET review.

The Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS MACRO HSM is a highly compact, lightweight travel-zoom lens designed exclusively for APS-C crop sensor cameras. Constructed using a Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) material to reduce size and weight while preventing temperature deformation, it features 16 elements in 13 groups, including one SLD element and three aspherical lenses. The lens delivers respectable performance with excellent central sharpness wide open across its massive 18-250mm range. Its standout features include a reasonably fast and accurate Hypersonic Motor (HSM) for autofocus, effective Optical Stabilization (OS) for most mounts, and an upgraded macro capability offering a 1:2.9 magnification ratio at a 35cm minimum focus distance. Furthermore, it ships with a lens hood and offers a 3-year total warranty upon registration in the US. However, the lens requires several compromises inherent to wide-range all-in-one zooms. On the downside, corner sharpness is quite soft when shot wide open—particularly at 18mm and 250mm—requiring users to stop down to f/11 or more for ideal edge performance. Optical distortion is prominently visible, shifting from 3% barrel distortion at 18mm to 2% to 3%...

The Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM is a highly versatile, all-in-one superzoom lens suited for travel and family photographers seeking to minimize lens changes, featuring a significant 13.8x zoom range. Key advantages include integrated Optical Stabilization (OS) for steady shooting, fast and quiet Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) autofocus, and a zoom lock switch to prevent lens creep. However, this convenience comes with performance compromises, including notable softness at the edges of the frame and a right side that fails to achieve true sharpness. Additional downsides include significant barrel distortion at 18mm, pincushion distortion at the telephoto end, a maximum aperture that narrows to f/6.3 at 250mm, and the lack of full-time manual focus override.