Tamron 28-200mm F/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD vs Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary 021

Pick the Tamron 28-200mm F/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD if

• You need more reach: 200mm vs 50mm at the long end
• You shoot full frame: the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary 021 is made for APS-C
• Our notes say it suits: Travel when you want one lens, casual video, street and walkabout shooting

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

• You want the lighter lens to carry: 286 g lighter (290 g vs 576 g)
• You want a wider view: 18mm vs 28mm at the wide end
• You shoot close-ups: it focuses down to 0.12 m vs 0.19 m
• You want bigger close-ups: 0.36× vs 0.32× maximum magnification
• You want a compact lens: 76.5 mm vs 117 mm long
• Our notes say it suits: Everyday APS-C shooting, vlogging and travel, low-light snapshots

Our notes

Tamron 28-200mm F/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD

Full-frame superzoom for Sony E-mount that opens to f/2.8 at 28mm and covers 28-200mm. It uses an RXD stepping motor and has no built-in stabilization.

Pros

• f/2.8 at the wide end is unusual for a superzoom
• Compact at about 576 g
• Close focus to 0.19 m

Cons

• No vibration compensation, so it relies on body stabilization
• Aperture narrows to f/5.6 at 200mm

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