Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM review
The 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM is the latest in a long line of all-in-one 'superzoom' lenses from Sigma, having been announced in June 2012. It offers two main developments over its predecessor, the confusingly similarly-named 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM - namely improved close-up capability (hence the 'Macro' moniker), and a significant reduction in size and weight. Sigma says the latter is due to the use of a 'Thermally Stable Composite' (TSC) material in the construction of the lens barrel, which makes it almost identical in size to its main rival - the Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD.
Like Tamron, Sigma has included optical image stabilization in the lens design, promising the ability to hand-hold the lens at shutter speeds four stops slower than usual before camera shake becomes a problem. The lens features an ultrasonic-type 'Hypersonic Motor' for quiet focusing, which means it will autofocus on entry-level Nikon SLR bodies. Despite its improved close-focusing abilities, the optical formula is actually a bit simpler than its predecessor's, and uses only a single Super-Low Dispersion glass element rather than four. Three aspheric elements are also used in the 16 element, 13 group design.
The 18-250mm offers an impressive wideangle to telephoto range (equivalent to roughly 28-400mm on full frame), which is beaten only by the aforementioned Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD and the recently-released Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-300mm F3.5-5.6G ED VR. It will be available in Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony and Pentax mounts, although the latter two versions won't feature optical stabilization and will rely on the cameras' built-in systems instead. As usual for a new product it comes to market at a higher street price compared to its predecessor, but look a little closer and the RRP has actually dropped.
Headline features
- Approx. 28-400mm equivalent focal length range; F3.5-6.3 maximum aperture
- Available for Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sigma and Sony mounts (APS-C/DX format DSLRs only)
- In-lens Optical Stabilization system (excluding Pentax and Sony versions).
- Hypersonic Motor (HSM) focusing
- 0.35m closest focus (0.34x magnification)
Angle of view
The pictures below illustrate the focal length range from wide to telephoto (on Canon APS-C, 1.6x).
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| 18mm (29mm equivalent) | 250mm (400mm equivalent) |
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Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM specifications
| Price | • $550 (US) • £499 (UK) |
|---|---|
| Date introduced | June 2012 |
| Maximum format size | APS-C/DX |
| Focal length | 18-250mm |
| 35mm equivalent focal length |
• 27-375mm (1.5x APS-C / DX) • 29-400mm (1.6x Canon APS-C) |
| Diagonal Angle of view (APS-C) | 74º - 6º |
| Maximum aperture | F3.5-6.3 |
| Minimum aperture | F22 |
| Lens Construction | • 16 elements / 13 groups • 1 SLD glass element • 3 aspherical elements |
| Number of diaphragm blades | 7, rounded |
| Minimum focus | 0.35m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.34x |
| AF motor type | • Micro-type Hypersonic Motor |
| Focus method | Internal |
| Image stabilization | • Yes; 4 stops claimed benefit • Automatic panning detection |
| Filter thread | • 62mm • Does not rotate on focus |
| Supplied accessories* | • Front and rear caps • Petal-type Hood |
| Weight | 470 g (16.6 oz) |
| Dimensions | 73.5 mm diameter x 88.6 mm length (2.9 x 3.5 in) |
| Lens Mount | Canon, Nikon, Pentax (KAF3), Sigma, Sony |
* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area
This lens review uses DxOMark data thanks to a partnership between dpreview.com and DxO Labs (read more about DxOMark and our partnership with DxO Labs). DxOMark is the trusted industry standard for independent image quality measurements and ratings. DxOMark has established this reputation with its rigorous hardware testing, industry-grade laboratory tools, and database of thousands of camera, lens and mobile test results. Full test results for this lens can be found at www.dxomark.com.
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