Andriy Zolotoiy Photography Blog

We, DSLR users, are crazy in some ways. We carry tons of gear around trying to have photo equipment with us for every possible situation, we complain that its too heavy, that there are too many lenses to fiddle with, that some glass isn’t sharp enough or isn’t fast enough. Luckily, lens manufactures recognized this fact not that long ago and released several superzooms (> 10x zoom range). Release of these lenses was only possible because of reduced sensor size of D-SLRs, I believe there is no feasible way to control distortions, colour aberrations and light falloff across 18 to 200 mm range on full-frame cameras without enclosing all of it into body that’ll need a forklift to carry around. In the end we are trying to get maximum focal range within a small light body for a reasonable price, it must be a perfect single vacation lens, so you don’t have to change it whether you’re taking photo of the whole island or just monkey’s face.

All major lens manufacturers now have a superzoom in their lineup. I’ve had in my possession original Sigma 18-200, Nikon 18-200 VR and new Sigma 18-200 OS HSM. All of them have their limitations, and their positive sides. I liked original Sigma because of its size and weight – it is really small and light, it doesn’t obstruct built-in flash but it is very focusing is quite slow and noisy. Nikon version was perfect for a couple of days, then dreaded barrel creep started bugging me along with quite serious wobbling of the barrel. It didn’t feel secure. Few users reported lens actually broke apart by itself. No good if you intend this to be your walk-around lens. Luckily by that time Sigma released stabilized and motorized version of their 18-200. Bigger and heavier but absent of original and Nikon’s version shortcomings.

My sample has focus dead-on according to focusing charts, here are few points to note if you’re choosing between two:

• slightly less contrast overall
• CA better controlled
• more regular barrel/pincussion distortion against wavy horizontal distortion in Nikon
• short end is on part with Nikon except the contrast, longer end is less washed out than Nikon
• not real AF-S

So overall image quality is on par between Nikon and Sigma with slight edge giving to Sigma at 200mm but slower aperture, I doubt that anyone could distinguish between them in blind test.

Now I lean towards selling Nikon because of barrel creep and wobbling. I need superzoom for vacations, hiking etc. When lens is hanging on the shoulder I’d prefer to know that it’s secure. I had Nikon hood stuck in the branches couple of times when barrel creeped under it’s own weight during hiking in the forest.