Sigma 18-200mm And 18-250mm - Great All Purpose Zoom Lenses • Camera News and Reviews

Sigma 18-200mm And 18-250mm – Great All Purpose Zoom Lenses

A great way to satisfy camera upgradeitis, improve your photography and save some money is to buy a new lens instead of a new camera. In fact, a new lens is usually a better decision. We took a look at a couple of great all-purpose Sigma zoom lenses at the PhotoPlus Expo in New York – the Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM and the Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM. If you’ve got a digital SLR and you’re still using the kit lens, consider replacing it with one of these all-purpose zooms. Chances are, it’s that kit lens that’s stifling your creativity, not your camera. I love the 18-200mm zoom range for APS-C (crop sensor) digital SLRs and these two Sigma zooms are a couple of great options for photographers on a budget, travel photographers, outdoor photographers and anyone else who wants one lens that can do it all.

The Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM zoom lens is brand new and incorporates Sigma’s FLD glass, the best they make. Even Nikon and Canon don’t use their best glass in their 18-200mm zoom lenses so the Sigma even might be better. The 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM also features Sigma’s OS “Optical Stabilization” to help minimize camera shake. It also has an HSM motor for fast, quiet auto focus performance. The new 18-200mm OS II lens has an MSRP of $720 but street price should be closer to $500. That’s a fair chunk of money but if you’re still using a kit lens or you want one lens that can do it all, the Sigma 18-200mm OS II is going to be significant upgrade. For more on the Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM zoom lens, please take a look at our announcement article:

Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM Zoom Lens Intro >>

Photographers who want a little more reach will appreciate the Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM zoom lens. Compared to an 18-200mm zoom lens, the 18-250mm goes to eleven. It also costs a bit less than the 18-200mm OS II – you can get it online from reputable dealers for less than $500. The Sigma 18-250mm also has OS Optical Stabilization and the fast, quiet HSM auto focus motor. But it doesn’t have Sigma’s top-of-the-line FLD optics. For more on the Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM zoom lens, please take a look at this announcement article:

Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Zoom Lens Intro >>

Last year I checked my lens stats in Lightroom and discovered that I use my 18-200mm zoom lens more than any other. It’s compact, the zoom range is good for almost everything, and it often means I only have to carry one lens. Whether you want to replace your kit lens with a better zoom that can do it all, or you’re a serious photographer who wants a great travel, backpack or event lens, the Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM and 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM zoom lenses are excellent options.