With the release of Sigma 17-50 lens, Sigma is basically saying a strong message to both Tamron and Tokina. For years they have been trying to make their mark on the fast, standard zoom lens with Tamron 17-50mm and Tokina 16-50mm being the major players.
Sigma held nothing back by making this lens for Sigma
It will be very interesting to test how this lens fares because it seems Sigma is putting a lot of effort on this lens. It has the OS (optical stabilization) feature, the fast f/2.8 as well as new optical design and HSM autofocus.
This is a fairly new lens that was released very close to the release date of the excellent Sigma 8-16mm lens.
It seems normal to think that this lens will perform well since it is released close to the 8-16mm lens. However, is this really true?
Let’s see the full Sigma 17-50 review below to find out!
Specs • Performance • Sample Image • Conclusion • Where to Buy
Sigma 17-50 Specs
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Official Name:
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM
Focal Length Markings:
17, 21, 28, 35, 50mm
Features:
EX – Excellent – Sigma’s designation for their high end lenses.
DC – Digital Crop – Sigma lenses with this geek word can only be used for cropped sensor DSLR camera. Don’t ever use this lens with a full frame DSLR or film SLR otherwise you’ll get the ugly vignetting effect.
OS – Optical Stabilization – Sigma’s technology to counter camera shake. Great if you’re shooting without a tripod.
HSM – HyperSonic Motor – Sigma’s smooth and fast autofocusing technology. Very similar to Canon’s USM. Lens with this designation can autofocus with Nikon’s entry level DSLR such as D40, D40x, D5000, D3000 and D3100.
Full Technical Specs (from Sigma’s website):
| Technical Specifications | |
| Groups / Elements | 13 / 17 |
| Angle of View | 72.4 – 27.9 |
| Number of Blade Diaphragm | 7 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 11in. (0.28m) |
| Filter Thread | 77mm |
| Weight | 19.9oz. (565g) |
| Dimension (Diameter x Length) | 3.3 x 3.6in. (83.5 x 91.8mm) |
| Macro Magnification Ratio | 1:5 |
| Available for | Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax |
Optical Performance
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Sigma 17-50 Sharpness
Center sharpness is excellent at any aperture and focal length. Borders have different result for each focal length though.
At 17mm, the borders are great at any aperture. However, at 24mm and 35mm it is a bit soft at f/2.8. At other apertures it is great.
At 50mm, the borders are great at any aperture as well (similar to 50mm).
The optimal aperture on this lens is at f/5.6.
See the full sharpness test table below.
Sharpness Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Excellent
(4) Great
(3) Good
(2) Fair
(1) Poor
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Center Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 17mm | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| 24mm | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| 35mm | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| 50mm | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Border Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 17mm | Great | Great | Great | Great |
| 24mm | Good | Great | Excellent | Great |
| 35mm | Good | Great | Excellent | Great |
| 50mm | Great | Great | Great | Great |
Distortion
Barrel distortion is very apparent at 17mm. At 24mm and 35mm, distortion can be ignored.
At 50mm, there is a very slight pincushion distortion, but this can be ignored as well.
You can see the full distortion test result for each focal length below.
Vignetting
Being a DC lens, vignetting is apparent, especially at f/2.8. This is especially true at 17mm and 50mm (the two most extreme focal length).
Stop down to f/4 to reduce vignetting significantly.
See the vignetting test results below for each focal lengths and apertures.
Chromatic Aberration
Chromatic aberration control is surprisingly excellent on this lens.
It is very low at every aperture and focal length and you should not be concerned at all.
See the full chromatic aberration test result for each focal length and aperture below.
Chromatic Aberration Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Negligible
(4) Very Low
(3) Low
(2) High
(1) Very High
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Chromatic Aberration
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 17mm | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| 24mm | Low | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low |
| 35mm | Very Low | Very Low | Negligible | Negligible |
| 50mm | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low | Negligible |
Build Quality
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Materials
Just like the EX name implies, the build quality of this lens is “Excellent.”
This lens is made from high quality plastics part combined with metals.
Zoom Ring
Zoom ring is smooth to operate and there is no zoom creep here. This lens will extend when zoomed towards the telephoto end.
Focusing
Focusing ring is feels smoother than the zoom ring on this lens. The focus ring rotates during focus operation which is a bit of a disappointment.
This lens has an HSM motor but full time manual override is not possible in single shot AF mode. The autofocus is fast, silent and accurate.
This is an HSM lens which means it will autofocus when used with entry level Nikon DSLR such as Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D5000, D5100, D3000 and D3100.
Image Stabilization
Optical Stabilization (OS) is a major upgrade from the previous 18-50 lens. I can gain 4 f-stops when using this lens (which is what they claim by the way).
Compatibility
Being a DC lens, this lens is only compatible with cropped sensor DSLR camera.
Sample Image
Back to: Menu • Introduction
The following are some images taken with this lens. Click any of them to enlarge the image.
Get the best price online from Amazon: Sigma
Conclusion
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Here is my conclusion for this interesting Sigma 17-50 lens.
This lens certainly was a step up from the Sigma 18-50 lens and the test result was quite decent.
It will be able to stand up against the Tamron 17-50 (both VC and non-VC). However, I will find it difficult for it to stand against the optical quality of the Nikon 17-55 lens (although it has an IS).
I am not a Canon user so I cannot comment about how it will fare against the Canon 17-55mm lens.
For a brief summary, this lens is very sharp on the center at any aperture and focal lengths. At the borders, it is a bit soft at f/2.8 at the two extremes (17mm and 50mm). It is fine in the in-between focal length.
Chromatic aberration control is simply superb on this lens to the point where it can be ignored in any apertures and focal length. This is quite rare for such a zoom lens!
Vignetting is visible on the widest aperture, which is typical for any fast zoom lens, but it is not to an extreme degree.
Barrel distortion is only visible at 17mm and at other focal length, both barrel and pincushion distortion can be ignored.
I am a Nikon user and I can recommend this lens for people who want a fast, sharp and low cost zoom lens.
If you have the budget, you can go for the Nikon 17-55mm lens, but you will not get the OS (optical stabilization) feature nor the low price.
In conclusion, this lens will be fine for any kit zoom lens users that want to have faster lens, but are not willing to break the bank.
Drawbacks
- Borders a bit soft at f/2.8 at 24mm and 35mm
- Vignetting is visible at f/2.8 at the 17mm and 50mm focal lengths
- Barrel distortion is visible at 17mm
Positives
- Super sharp on the center at any focal lengths and aperture
- Distortion is negligible at focal lengths above 17mm
- Vignetting control is good above f/2.8
- Chromatic aberration is negligible at any aperture and focal lengths!
- Nice build and crinkle finish
- Very fast, silent and accurate autofocus mechanism
- Great value for money
Good For
- All around macro photography shooting
- Portrait lens when used with cropped sensor DSLR
- Normal, walk around lens when used with full frame DSLR
Not So Good For
- Anything that requires fast focusing such as sports photography
What Others Are Saying…
by “Cullen”
So I’ve been bouncing back and forth between the big three competitors. If you’re looking at this lens, you’ve probably weighed Tamron’s 2.8 17-50 VC and Canon’s more expensive but much…
Click here to see the full review
by “QWK”
I am a serious hobbiest, with a Nikon D90. Other lenses in my kit include the 18-105VR, 70-300VR, 300mmf4, 35mmf1.8 and 50mmf1.8. The use of the short fast primes (35mm f/1.8 and 50mm…
Click here to see the full review
Where to Buy
Support this site, buy the Sigma 17-50 lens from Amazon (best price online):
If the mount you’re looking for is not available on Amazon, check out B&H Photo (Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax) or Adorama (Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax)
To see the related Sigma macro lens review, check out the following post below.
Hope you’ve enjoyed my Sigma 17-50 lens review and I will catch you in the next one!
With the release of Sigma 17-50 lens, Sigma is basically saying a strong message to both Tamron and Tokina. For years they have been trying to…
With the release of Sigma 17-50 lens, Sigma is basically saying a strong message to both Tamron and Tokina. For years they have been trying to…
| Lens Score | |
|---|---|
| Optical Quality | |
| Build Quality | |
| Value for Money | |
| Overall | |
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