Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM Review
General information
This is a zoom lens manufactured by Sigma and the lens was released 2012.
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 2012 Sigma wrote this regarding Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM:
"This 11.1x high zoom ratio lens incorporates Sigma’s original OS function and offers a broad shooting range from wide angle to telephoto. The latest optical technology enables easy handheld photography with a compact construction and length of just 87.7mm, making it ideal for various scenes such as landscape, sport and general photography. The compact construction guarantees excellent mobility making ideal for travel photography. FLD (“F” Low Dispersion) glass, which has performance equal to fluorite, SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements, and aspherical lens elements provide high image quality throughout the entire zoom range. Sigma’s HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) ensures fast and quiet auto-focusing.
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Compact construction and high optical performance
The Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM is the successor to the SIGMA 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS/ HSM which was launched in June 2007. This lens features the latest optical technology including FLD glass elements and aspherical lens elements, making it compact with a length of just 87.7mm whilst keeping high rendering performance. This compact construction guarantees excellent mobility with superior image quality.
One FLD (“F” Low Dispersion) glass element, which has performance equal to fluorite, and two SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements provide excellent correction for colour aberrations. Two glass mould aspherical and one hybrid aspherical lens elements ensure excellent correction for all types of aberrations. Together they provide a high level of optical performance throughout the entire zoom range. *FLD glass is the highest level low dispersion glass available with extremely high light transmission. This optical glass has a performance equal to fluorite glass which has a low refractive index and low dispersion compared to current optical glass. It also benefits from high anomalous dispersion. These characteristics give excellent correction for residual chromatic aberration (secondary spectrum) which cannot be corrected by ordinary optical glass and ensures high definition and high contrast images.
Super Multi-Layer Coating
Sigma’s Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting as well as providing sharp and high contrast images throughout the entire zoom range.
Sigma’s own unique OS technology
The OS system offers effective correction of approximately 4 stops, making it ideal for handheld photography of various scenes such as travel, general, and sport. * Sony and Pentax mounts do not incorporate optical stabilisation.
Fast and quiet AF
The HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) ensures fast and quiet auto-focusing.
For Pentax mount, auto focus will not be available on Pentax ist* series and K100D cameras.
Rounded diaphragm
The rounded 7 blade diaphragm creates an attractive blur to the out of focus areas.
Convenient handling
A magnification scale is displayed on the lens barrel. A zoom lock prevents the lens from creeping due to its own weight, and to offer protection whilst the lens is being carried.
Petal-type lens hood
The inner focusing system eliminates front lens rotation, making the lens particularly suitable for using the supplied light-resistant petal-type hood and circular polarizing filters.
The all new 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM lens is updated with FLD glass which have the performance equal to fluorite glass and SLD glass provides excellent correction of color aberration. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced photographer, the Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM 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."
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.
The ability to use autofocus is available for all cameras.
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 II DC OS HSM
- Read more about focal length and your field of view
- Read more on the cameras impact on the perceived focal length
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.
Inside the lens there is an image stabilizer, which helps to fend off possible movements and tremors. This is very positive and can be of great help in situations and conditions where the light is inadequate and not enough for decent 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".
Images of Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM
In order to see larger product images of the lens, click the link below.
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
- Has a built-in image stabilizer
- An impressive focal range
- Has a built-in autofocus motor
- A lens hood is included
- Light weight (490 gr)
- Works only on cameras with APS-C sensor
- 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 II DC OS HSM.
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| Overall rating | 3 of 5 |
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