The Sigma 18-50 lens is a fast standard zoom lens with constant f/2.8 aperture. Sigma made this lens for Sigma
You might see there are two variants of the Nikon mount. The first one does not have the HSM and the second one has. If you are getting it for your Nikon DSLR, get the HSM version.
This Sigma is an interesting lens that is designed to compete with the Nikon 17-55
The Sigma will compete on the price, as well as the dimension and size. The price is very affordable which is something that majority of photographers will appreciate.
The size and weight on this lens is something that many photographers will be able to cherish as well. I think Sigma has done an excellent job in making this constant f/2.8 lens this compact.
This lens is compatible with cropped sensor DSLR camera and will give you a focal length of 28-80mm in terms of 35mm camera equivalent. It comes with a soft bag and a petal typle lens hood.
All that I have mentioned so far has been great. But this is not why you are here right?
Let’s see how well this Sigma 18-50 lens performs optically in the full review below.
Specs • Performance • Sample Image • Conclusion • Where to Buy
Sigma 18-50 Specs
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Official Name:
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro
Focal Length Markings:
18, 24, 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.
Macro – Lens with a close up range capability. This is not a 1:1 macro lens though.
Full Technical Specs (from Sigma’s website):
| Technical Specifications | |
| Groups / Elements | 13 / 15 |
| Angle of View | 69.3 – 27.9 |
| Number of Blade Diaphragm | 7 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 4in. (0.1m) |
| Filter Thread | 72mm |
| Weight | 15.9oz. (450g) |
| Dimension (Diameter x Length) | 3.1 x 3.4in. (79 x 85.8mm) |
| Macro Magnification Ratio | 1:3 |
| Available for | Sigma, Nikon, Nikon (with HSM), Canon, Sony, Pentax |
Optical Performance
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Sigma 18-50 Sharpness
Center sharpness is very good on this lens at any aperture and focal lengths, including f/2.8.
Borders are a bit weak at 35mm and 50mm at f/2.8. At other focal length and aperture, border sharpness are great.
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 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro Center Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 18mm | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| 35mm | Great | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| 50mm | Great | Great | Excellent | Excellent |
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro Border Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 18mm | Great | Great | Great | Great |
| 35mm | Good | Great | Great | Great |
| 50mm | Good | Great | Great | Great |
Distortion
Barrel distortion exist on the 18mm focal length. At other focal lengths, the distortion can be ignored.
See the distortion test result for this lens below for each focal lengths.
Vignetting
Vignetting is visible at every focal length at the f/2.8 aperture. Stop down by one stop to completely eliminate vignetting on this lens.
See the vignetting test results below for each focal lengths and apertures.
Chromatic Aberration
Unfortunately, chromatic aberration control on this lens is rather poor. The 18mm focal length shows a great deal of chromatic aberration at every aperture.
The 35mm focal length also shows some high degree of chromatic aberration at f/4 and f/5.6.
At 50mm, chromatic aberration can be ignored.
See the full chromatic aberration test result for each focal length and apertures below.
Chromatic Aberration Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Negligible
(4) Very Low
(3) Low
(2) High
(1) Very High
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro Chromatic Aberration
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 18mm | Very High | Very High | Very High | High |
| 35mm | Low | High | High | Low |
| 50mm | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low | Negligible |
Build Quality
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Materials
The build quality of this lens is decent. Although it is an EX lens, this lens can be considered the worst among the other EX lenses in terms of build quality.
It is made of high quality plastic with the typical Sigma crinkle finish.
Zoom Ring
The zoom ring is a bit stiff, but still manageable. There is no wobbling or zoom creep on this lens. To prevent zoom creep from happening, Sigma has included a zoom lock at the 18mm focal length.
The lens will extend its physical dimension when zoomed towards the telephoto end.
Focusing
Focusing ring operates smoothly here unlike the zoom ring. The autofocus performance is very fast on this lens and accurate as well. There is some noise on the autofocus but it is not to the extreme degree.
There are two versions for the Nikon mount. The first one does not have HSM and the second one has an HSM. If you are getting it for your Nikon mount, get the HSM version.
By getting the HSM version, you will be able to use this lens with entry level Nikon DSLR such as Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D5000, D5100, D3000 and D3100.
Image Stabilization
There is no Optical Stabilization built into the lens.
Compatibility
Being a DC lens, this lens is only compatible with cropped sensor DSLR. It is not compatible with full frame or 35mm film SLR 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 are the conclusions for this Sigma 18-50 review.
Drawbacks
- Soft borders at 35mm and 50mm focal length at f/2.8
- Visible barrel distortion at 18mm
- Visible vignetting at f/2.8 at every focal lengths
- Poor overall chromatic aberration control
Positives
- Sharp on the center at any focal lengths and aperture
- Good distortion control above 18mm
- Good vignetting control above f/2.8 at every focal lengths
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Good value for money
Good For
- Photographers who are looking for a fast, standard zoom lens
- Landscape photography
- Portrait photography
Not So Good For
- Anyone demanding the maximum optical quality from the 18mm focal length – distortion, vignetting and chromatic aberration will be an issue here
What Others Are Saying…
by “Sir Coogs”
I’ve had the pleasure of having this lens for about a week and have to say I’m very impressed by the constant f/2.8 aperture that it offers. In normal indoor lighting and ISO of about 400 or even 200 I can shoot some very nice…
Click here to see the full review
by “Darrell Young”
This is evidently Sigma’s third release of this lens, and it now includes HSM (HyperSonic Motor) so that it will work on cameras like the Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D3000, and D5000. These cameras have no built-in body autofocus (AF)…
Click here to see the full review
Where to Buy
Support this site, buy the Sigma 18-50 lens from Amazon (best price online):
If the mount you’re looking for is not available on Amazon, check out B&H Photo (Sigma, Nikon, Nikon (with HSM),Canon, Sony, Pentax, Olympus) or Adorama (Sigma, Nikon, Nikon (with HSM), Canon, Sony, Pentax, Olympus)
To see the related Sigma macro lens review, check out the following post below.
Alright, hope you’ve enjoyed my Sigma 18-50 review and I’ll catch you in the next one!
The Sigma 18-50 lens is a fast standard zoom lens with constant f/2.8 aperture. Sigma made this lens for Sigma, Nikon, Nikon (with HSM), Canon…
The Sigma 18-50 lens is a fast standard zoom lens with constant f/2.8 aperture. Sigma made this lens for Sigma, Nikon, Nikon (with HSM), Canon…
| Lens Score | |
|---|---|
| Optical Quality | |
| Build Quality | |
| Value for Money | |
| Overall | |
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