Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM for Canon EF Cameras

The Sigma 18-250mm F3.6-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM is one of the best of the current bunch of SLR superzooms, with decent optics, fast autofocus and effective image stabilization. It's a reliable performer, and its close-up capability is handy too.

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  13.9x focal length range with impressive closeup capability, ideal general purpose / travel lens, Fast, quiet autofocus, Effective image stabilization (about 3 stops benefit at all focal lengths), Good build quality, smooth zoom ring action and limited zoom creep

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  Somewhat soft wide open in the middle of the zoom range, Very strong pincushion distortion across much of the zoom range

The WDC Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC SLD OS HSM lens review discovers whether this is be the best all-round, third-party DSLR superzoom lens on the market.

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  Effective optical stabilisation

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  Focusing ring rotates in AF

The Sigma 18-250mm f3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM for Canon , ( ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ ) ( review ) would be a good fit someone who wants to travel with a minimum of equipment. The zoom range from 18-250mm (equivalent to 29-400mm on a full frame DSLR ) covers just about all the range that most photographers will...

I may get time to complete a full Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM review in the future, but please make use of the standard image quality test results now.

At 13.8X, this digital-only 29-400mm equivalent (on DSLRs with 1.6X lens factors) offers the broadest zoom range of any Sigma lens. Joining Sigma's first digital-only superzoom of 2004, the 18-200mm, this $530 (street) lens adds optical stabilization (OS), four elements of super-low-dispersion glass...

Like most ''vacation'' zooms, the trick is to know the parameters where they function best. Sigma's latest iteration of this lens offers a bit more telephoto performance, for which the integrated optical image stabilization is crucially useful.

A handy all-in-one lens with a large zoom range and decent image stabilization for times when multiple lenses won’t do.

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  Light, Big zoom range, Pretty good image stabilization

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  Soft edges, Significant chromatic aberration

Buyers of all-in-one zoom lenses will welcome the arrival of Sigma’s 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM lens, which has just been released. Smaller and lighter than its predecessor, which we reviewed in May 2009, it is designed exclusively for DSLR cameras with APS-C sized sensors.

Superzoom lenses are often full of compromises, but in this 18-250mm lens from Sigma, the compromises are few and far between. It may be the case that shorter zoom ranges may yield better performance overall, but if you're after a convenient all-in-one lens for travel, then the sharpness delivered...

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  Very good performance for a superzoom, Effective optical Stabilisation, Compact size, Light weight, Good build quality

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  f/6.3 max aperture at 250mm is relatively slow, No full time manual focus override (which isn't really much of an issue)

The Sigma 18–250 mm f/3.5–6.3 DC OS HSM is a lens aimed at amateur photographers who, having a reflex camera, want to own one universal lens, which will be able to serve many purposes during a trip or on holiday.

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  very universal focal lengths range,, very good image quality in the frame centre at all focal lengths,, good image quality on the edge of the frame in the 18-50 mm range,, quite well corrected coma,, slight astigmatism,, distortion noticeably lower than that of its rivals,, good quality of...

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  weak image quality on the edge of the frame at 120-250 mm focal lengths,, high chromatic aberration at the maximum focal length,, weak performance against bright light.

I give it 5 stars based on performance for the cost. This meets all my needs for an every day, single carry lens. While the images are not what you will get from a $2000+ lens, you can't expact that performance. It doesn't cost $2000.

Very quality lens, half the price of the similar nikon model. Very good sharpness at F8-F11, at almost all focal lengths. Small and light, OS is working well. Compatibility problems with the new nikon bodies.

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  Sharp!, Good close up, OS working well, light and small, price!

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  Compatibility problems, creep when unlocked.

An all around great general purpose lens. Good image quality and large range of focal lengths in one lens. If you can only bring one lens, make it this one!

Background info: I had the previous design of this lens for several years and was happy with the performance. (It did not get much use since I used it as a vacation walk around lens) The electronics was in failure mode where it would not stop down (intermittent) for photos.

I really wanted to enjoy this lens! Sincerely! I started using it on my DX-format brand new Nikon D5600 and experienced vignetting in all four corners of any photo I took. No lens hood. No filter. Occurred at all focal lengths from 18 to 250, the worse vignetting being at 90mm.