Sony E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS vs Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary 021

Pick the Sony E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS if

• You need more reach: 200mm vs 50mm at the long end
• You shoot handheld in dim light or video: it has optical image stabilization and the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary 021 does not
• Our notes say it suits: Travel and holidays, video with a single lens, general all-round shots

Pick the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary 021 if

• You need ⅔ stop more light for low light or background blur (f/2.8 vs f/3.5)
• You want the lighter lens to carry: 234 g lighter (290 g vs 524 g)
• You shoot close-ups: it focuses down to 0.12 m vs 0.3 m
• You want a compact lens: 76.5 mm vs 99 mm long
• You prefer a newer design: released 2021 vs 2010
• Our notes say it suits: Everyday APS-C shooting, vlogging and travel, low-light snapshots

Our notes

Sony E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS

A stabilized all-in-one zoom for APS-C E-mount, covering 18-200mm. It weighs about 524 g, with a 67mm filter size and 0.3 m minimum focus.

Pros

• 11x zoom range
• Optical SteadyShot
• Convenient one-lens kit
• Close focus of 0.3 m

Cons

• Slow aperture at the long end
• Image quality below primes and shorter zooms

Our notes

Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary 021

A compact f/2.8 standard zoom for APS-C E-mount cameras, weighing about 290 g. It takes 55mm filters and offers a close focus distance of 0.121 m.

Pros

• Constant f/2.8
• Very light at 290 g
• Close focus 0.121 m
• Stepping motor autofocus

Cons

• APS-C only
• No stabilization in the lens
• Less range than a kit zoom