Sigma 55-200mm F4-5.6 DC Review
General information
This is a zoom lens manufactured by Sigma and the lens was released 1997.
The lens belongs to the category
telephoto zoom lenses, a telephoto lens where you have the possibility to zoom in and out.
Product description from Sigma
At launch 1997 Sigma wrote this regarding Sigma 55-200mm F4-5.6 DC :
"Super Multi Coating reduces flare and ghosting that tends to occur when using digital SLR cameras.
Compact and lightweight, high-performance telephoto Zoom Lens
This compact telephoto zoom lens was exclusively designed for digital SLR cameras featuring APS-C size image sensor. The image circle was designed to match the size of the image sensors of digital SLR cameras that also allows compact body and lightweight. Characteristics of digital cameras were taken into consideration when designing the lens power layout, making high-quality images reality through the entire zoom range.
Lightweight, high-performance, compact telephoto zoom lens
The image circle was designed to match the size of the image sensors of digital SLR cameras that also allows compact body and lightweight a maximum diameter of 71.5 mm (2.8in.), and overall length of 87.1mm (3.4in.), and weight of only 310g/10.9 ounces. It has a filter size of 55mm.
Exclusively designed to suit the characteristics of digital SLR cameras.
We took digital characteristics into consideration when designing the lens power layout and created the most suitable lens that makes high quality images a reality throughout the entire zoom range. We used the most appropriate coating for digital products to cut down flare and ghost caused by digital SLR cameras and to produce the best color balance. It can be used with the supplied lens hood to block out extraneous light.
High performance zoom lens is ideally suited to a wide range of subjects.
This lens has a minimum focusing distance of 110cm (43.3in.) and maximum magnification of 1:4.5.High performance 3.6x telephoto zoom lens suited a wide range of shooting conditions, such as portrait, sports, nature. The focus and zoom rings provide easy operation in manual mode. A distance scale on the focus ring is an easy to use and convenient addition. "
Compatibility, autofocus and focal length
The lens is available for both Canon and Nikon cameras, but there are two different versions of this lens (one for each brand and mount) so it is important that you ask for and choose the right version when bying the lens.
This lens is designed and meant for Canon and Nikon cameras with a smaller sensor (often referred to as 'APS-C') which means that the lens does not fit all camera models. By clicking on the link below you can make sure that the lens works with your camera model and you should do an additional check with your local dealer as well, before you buy the lens just to be sure.
Here it is the only Canon version of the lens that has a built-in autofocus (AF) motor. The possibility to use autofocus (AF) is available for Nikon cameras but only if the camera itself has a built-in autofocus (AF) motor. Some cheaper and budget camera models from Nikon lacks a built-in autofocus motor, and we at Lensora appreciate autofocus, so in the list of compatible cameras we have chosen to display only the cameras that you can get autofocus with.
The lens has a focal length of 55-200 mm. Since the lens is designed to be used on a camera with smaller sensor ('APS-C') the focal length will be equivalent to 88-320 mm if you have a Canon camera or 82-300 mm if you have a Niko camera.
A positive thing is that this lens has a versitale zoom range, where the difference between 'maximum zoomed out' to 'maximum zoomed in' increases the lens versatility since you as a photographer easily can compose your picture without moving yourself physically.
- See compatible cameras and perceived/equivalent focal length
- See a full camera compatibility chart for Sigma 55-200mm F4-5.6 DC
- Read more about focal length and your field of view
- Read more on the cameras impact on the perceived focal length
- Read more about the autofocus motor and the importance of this part
Lens brightness and image stabilizer
The lens brightness and aperture value is f/4-5,6.
This lens is not considered to have a good aperture value and brightness. It is something to consider before you purchase the lens. To compensate for this you might, while photographing in less favorable light conditions, be forced to either use higher ISO settings (which generates more noise in the image), slower shutter speeds (which may give some motion blur) or flash lightning. Read more at the link below what lens brightness means to you as a photographer.
One thing to consider is that the lens has a variable brightness, which means that depending on how much you are zooming the lens will have a different maximum aperture value. At 55 mm the lens brightness is f/4 and at 200 mm the brightness is f/5,6. Through the link below you can read more about what this could mean for you as a photographer.
The lens lacks image stabilization, which otherwise os good for avoiding the blur that can occur when using slow shutter speeds.
- Read more about the aperture and lens brightness
- Read more about changing brightness at different focal lengths
- Read more about how an image stabilizer works
Filter and Lens Hood
The lens has a traditional filter thread on the front and its measuring 55 mm which also the filter you will use must have. If you use for example an UV filter can be a cheap insurance against scratches and dust.
Together with the lens there is a lens hood included but we have unfortunately no further information on model etc so feel free to contact us if you know more.
Things to consider before buying
Below you will find some summarized points and facts that can be considered as the 'pros and cons' of this lens. These are based entirely on the facts and values that are accessible through the lens specification, so we highly recommend that you also read the reported reviews available (see tab 'Reviews'); this in order to get a more complete view of the lens and its capabilities. Reviewer opinions reflect the lens, its use and its optical performance in a more accurate way, but any way - here a few different points to consider before buying this lens.
- The price (more info)
- An impressive focal range
- A lens hood is included
- Light weight (310 gr)
- No built-in autofocus motor (the Nikon version)
- Works only on cameras with APS-C sensor
- No built-in image stabilizer
- Poor aperture value with its f/5,6
- A variable lens brightness at different focal lengths
- The lens is not sealed against moisture and dust
Our Review Ratings
Time to grade Sigma 55-200mm F4-5.6 DC .
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| Value |
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| Overall rating | 3 of 5 |
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