Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC Review
General information
This is a zoom lens manufactured by Sigma and the lens was released 2005.
The lens belongs to the category
superzoom lenses. A superzoom lens gives you a wide zoom range, from a wider field of view (wide angle) to a more narrow field of view (telephoto) and is usually appreciated as an all-in-one travel lens.
Product description from Sigma
At launch 2005 Sigma wrote this regarding Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC:
"For use with smaller chip APS-c cameras only
Inner focusing system eliminates front lens rotation making the lens highly suitable for use of polarizing filters
Two Aspherical glass elements offer correction for distortion
Two Special Low Dispersion glass elements provides optimum color correction and sharpness
With a minimum focusing distance of 17.7 inches at all focal lengths it’s perfect for capturing small objects and produces a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.9.
Extremely compact design weighing approximately 22 ounces & measures just under 4 inches in length
A lens hood and front & rear lens caps are included with the lens.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced photographer, the Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC is an all purpose lens offers convenience and features on all levels. Its versatility allows the photographer to capture wide angle photos such as scenic, landscape or group photography and at the telephoto end is great for sports action. Portraits are also within these lenses capabilities. Compact and lightweight it’s easy to carry and it will always deliver amazing images. Sigma is proud to have introduced the 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 as one of the first of its kind. Equivalent roughly to a 24 to 300mm lens in the larger format cameras, this lens has an impressive range and can deliver stunning images."
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 18-200 mm. Since the lens is designed to be used on a camera with smaller sensor ('APS-C') the focal length will be equivalent to 29-320 mm if you have a Canon camera or 27-300 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 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 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/3,5-6,3.
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 18 mm the lens brightness is f/3,5 and at 200 mm the brightness is f/6,3. 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 62 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.
If you buy this lens it will come with a lens hood, whose model name is "LH680-01 789".
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)
- A versatile lens for those who own their first DSLR camera
- An impressive focal range
- A lens hood is included
- Light weight (405 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/6,3
- A variable lens brightness at different focal lengths
- The lens is not sealed against moisture and dust
Our Review Ratings
Time to grade Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC.
| Build Quality |
 
|
| Image Quality |
|
| Autofocus |
|
| Sharpness |
|
| Versatility |
|
| Value |
|
| Overall rating | 3 of 5 |
Best deals on Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC
Make sure to check out our price information page for best offers on this lens.