Reading mode: Light Dark

Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G vs. the New Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM

Go to last post
C

CodyD

Member
Messages
19
Reaction score
0
I am just wondering which the 'better' lens would be in this case. I do realize that the Sigma is ~$1,000 more expensive than the Sony, but I am wondering if that $1,000 offers any improvements of the Sony.

Yes, I know there is the other 70-200mm Sigma, but I figure that the newer one is of higher quality. And no, I am not just assuming that since the new Sigma is more expensive than the previous one that it is better, although it may be true...

AND for the record, I did consider the Tamron, but eliminated it from my options.

Oh yeah, and do not take money into consideration here. Like "The Sigma is not worth the extra $1,000, you'd be better off spending that money on another piece of glass".

And before you say anything, I did search for other threads not only on this forum, but others, and the last one one here was very very old.

Sony: http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11033557#specifications

Sigma: http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/70-200mm-f28-ex-dg-os-hsm-sigma
 
This isn't the actual price of the Sigma which is about the same as the Sony
 
Good call. Someone actually just pointed that out on Flickr as well.

Don't know why they would post the price as that..

Anyways, I guess there is no reason to consider price then, since there is only a few hundred dollar difference in price.
 
Right now just the a330. I realize that both of these lenses, and the lenses in the other thread are full frame lenses, but I do plan to upgrade to a 850, or 900 in due time.
 
Couple of pluses for the Sony 70-200 just off the top of my head:

1) Sony has a focus limiter (I have the previous version Sigma HSM and wish it had a limiter)

2) Sony has better minimum focus distance than the new Sigma - 1.2m vs 1.4m
 
One advantage to the new Sigma over the Sony is the OS in the sigma.

You can shut the SSS off on the body and the sensor won't overheat as fast.

I'm not sure what, if any effect this would have on battery life, as the battery would have to run the OS in the lens instead of the SSS in the body.
 
That is only to be taken into account if the OP wants to use an SLT in combo with this lens. And he said he wanted A900/850 so there wont be an overheating issue.

My five cents: Get the marque lens, the sigma will be good, but if the same money buys you a Sony, then go for that one. Only disadvantage for the Sony is that it is white, and I dont like that ;)
 
redsim74 said:
Couple of pluses for the Sony 70-200 just off the top of my head:

1) Sony has a focus limiter (I have the previous version Sigma HSM and wish it had a limiter)

2) Sony has better minimum focus distance than the new Sigma - 1.2m vs 1.4m
Click to expand...
Oh nice, thanks for finding that out for me.
Tubal said:
One advantage to the new Sigma over the Sony is the OS in the sigma.

You can shut the SSS off on the body and the sensor won't overheat as fast.

I'm not sure what, if any effect this would have on battery life, as the battery would have to run the OS in the lens instead of the SSS in the body.
Click to expand...
Oh, that is true. I could always just switch it off on the lens, right? And which would be better? The SSS or OS?
Markofnikoff said:
That is only to be taken into account if the OP wants to use an SLT in combo with this lens. And he said he wanted A900/850 so there wont be an overheating issue.

My five cents: Get the marque lens, the sigma will be good, but if the same money buys you a Sony, then go for that one. Only disadvantage for the Sony is that it is white, and I dont like that ;)
Click to expand...
Yeah, I probably won't go for one of the SLT's. But hahahaha, I don't know if I like the white of not either :P. It's kinda cool, but it wont match :O haha.
 
....
Actually, the Sony is more expensive, B&H lists them at:

Sony70-200mm f/2.8 APO G(D) SSM - US$1,649.00 ( discounted )

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM - US$1,349.99

I have the A900 and a Sigma 70-200/2.8 II HSM ( no OS ), it's an excellent lens, very sharp ( mainly at the center ), fast/silent AF, great colors. Unfortunatelly, after one year of careful use the HSM motor quit working and now it's an MF lens! I talked to Sigma and they said it's not a common problem. I haven't sent it to them for repair yet ( not on warranty any more, anyway ).

... Lucas

--
Always having fun with photography ...

http://lucaspix.smugmug.com/

 
Lucas_ said:
....
Actually, the Sony is more expensive, B&H lists them at:

Sony70-200mm f/2.8 APO G(D) SSM - US$1,649.00 ( discounted )

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM - US$1,349.99

I have the A900 and a Sigma 70-200/2.8 II HSM ( no OS ), it's an excellent lens, very sharp ( mainly at the center ), fast/silent AF, great colors. Unfortunatelly, after one year of careful use the HSM motor quit working and now it's an MF lens! I talked to Sigma and they said it's not a common problem. I haven't sent it to them for repair yet ( not on warranty any more, anyway ).

... Lucas

--
Always having fun with photography ...

http://lucaspix.smugmug.com/

Click to expand...
Yeah you're right, Sigma just has the wrong prices on their site, that's why I thought the Sigma was ~$1,000 more.

I'm kind of surprised that Sigma did not offer more assistance. Even if your warranty is up, since it is not a 'common problem' they should have offered to repair it, in my opinion at least.
 
Lucas_ said:
....
Actually, the Sony is more expensive, B&H lists them at:

Sony70-200mm f/2.8 APO G(D) SSM - US$1,649.00 ( discounted )

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM - US$1,349.99

I have the A900 and a Sigma 70-200/2.8 II HSM ( no OS ), it's an excellent lens, very sharp ( mainly at the center ), fast/silent AF, great colors. Unfortunatelly, after one year of careful use the HSM motor quit working and now it's an MF lens! I talked to Sigma and they said it's not a common problem. I haven't sent it to them for repair yet ( not on warranty any more, anyway ).

... Lucas
Click to expand...
SIGMA's Warranty should be 4 years on the EX lenses. Why is not still covered?

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/evangelos_k/
 
redsim74 said:
Lucas_ said:
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM - US$1,349.99
Click to expand...
That's a pricing on the older 70-200 HSM, I would think. The new lens is not a II and is definitely not designated as macro.
Click to expand...
....

Nope, that's actually the discounted price for the OS ( I wrote the lens name wrongly ) and you're right, it's not a II or Macro . The right name/price is:

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM - US$1,349.00

The price for the non-OS version ( my version ) is:

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM - US$799.00 , quite a bargain IMHO!

Check here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=sigma+70-200&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

... Lucas
--
Always having fun with photography ...

http://lucaspix.smugmug.com/

 
At the same price, I would recommend the Sony. The Sony's quality is as good as money can buy in the 70-200 range. This will be a lens you use many years with future bodies. With Sigma, you may encounter compatibility problems in the future and depends when that surface, Sigma may or may not have a solution to that.

There is advantage of having OS in the lens when doing video. You won't stress the SSS that much. However, I believe there is also slight penalty in image quality.

Most in-lens stabilisation requires additional 2-3 lens elements in the design. If you look at the lens review of most stabilised lens vs their coresponding non-stabilised version, there is slight decrease in measured performance. Some examples are:

Tamron 17-50 f2.8 VC
Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4 OS
Canon 70-200 IS

Some are visibly worse and some are only marginally lower but few are better the other way.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top