Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC vs 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary
Both are Leica L zoom lenses for APS-C. Here is what actually differs.
Pick the 17-40mm f/1.8 DC if
- You need 1⅓ stops more light for low light or background blur (f/1.8 vs f/2.8)
- You want a wider view: 17mm vs 18mm at the wide end
- You care about the shape of out-of-focus highlights: 11 aperture blades vs 7
- You prefer a newer design: released 2025 vs 2021
Pick the 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary if
- You want the lighter lens to carry: 245 g lighter (290 g vs 535 g)
- You need more reach: 50mm vs 40mm at the long end
- You want bigger close-ups: 0.36× vs 0.21× maximum magnification
- You want a compact lens: 74.5 mm vs 115.9 mm long
Spec differences
13 differences| 17-40mm f/1.8 DC | 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary | |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length |
17-40mm
|
18-50mm
|
| Max aperture |
f/1.8
1⅓ stops faster
|
f/2.8
|
| Weight |
535 g
|
290 g
lighter
|
| Length |
115.9 mm
|
74.5 mm
shorter
|
| Diameter |
72.9 mm
|
65.4 mm
slimmer
|
| Filter thread |
67 mm
|
55 mm
|
| Min focus distance |
0.28 m
|
not listed
|
| Max magnification |
0.21×
|
0.36×
larger
|
| Aperture blades |
11
more blades
|
7
|
| Optical design |
17 elements / 11 groups
|
not listed
|
| Autofocus motor |
not listed
|
Stepping motor
|
| Weather sealing |
Yes
|
not listed
|
| Released |
2025
|
2021
|
5 identical specs hidden: brand, mount, type, format, image stabilization. Show all
- Brand
- Sigma both
- Mount
- Leica L both
- Type
- Zoom both
- Format
- APS-C both
- Image stabilization
- No both
Our notes
Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC
A 17-40mm f/1.8 APS-C fast wide-angle zoom lens, the Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC is designed for Leica L mount bodies. It covers wide angles for landscapes, interiors and architecture.
Our notes
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary
More comparisons
Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC vs Samyang AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8
⅓ stop faster vs more reach (150mm)
Panasonic Lumix S Pro 24-70mm F2.8 vs Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary
more reach (70mm) vs 645 g lighter
Panasonic Lumix S Pro 24-70mm F2.8 vs Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC
more reach (70mm) vs 1⅓ stops faster
Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24mm f/2.8 ASPH. vs Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary
wider (14mm) vs more reach (50mm)
Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC vs Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24mm f/2.8 ASPH.
1⅓ stops faster vs wider (14mm)
Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH. vs Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary
more reach (70mm) vs 566 g lighter