Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM vs Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM

Pick the Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM if

• You want the lighter lens to carry: 180 g lighter (340 g vs 520 g)
• You need more reach: 35mm vs 20mm at the long end
• You shoot full frame: the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM is made for APS-C
• You want a compact lens: 68.9 mm vs 88.2 mm long
• Our notes say it suits: Casual wide-angle shooting, travel on a small kit, film-era EOS bodies

Pick the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM if

• You want a wider view: 10mm vs 20mm at the wide end
• You shoot close-ups: it focuses down to 0.24 m vs 0.34 m
• You want bigger close-ups: 0.15× vs 0.13× maximum magnification
• You care about the shape of out-of-focus highlights: 7 aperture blades vs 5
• Our notes say it suits: Landscapes on APS-C, architecture, interiors

Our notes

Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

A compact 1993 wide-angle zoom for full-frame EOS bodies, with ring USM and a 77mm thread. Image quality is modest by modern standards.

Pros

• Wide 20mm start
• Light at about 340g
• Ring USM with manual override

Cons

• Slow variable aperture
• Soft at the edges

Our notes

Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM

A wide-angle zoom for APS-C DSLRs with a constant f/3.5 aperture. It weighs about 520 g and takes 82mm filters.

Pros

• Constant f/3.5
• HSM autofocus
• Takes 82mm screw-in filters
• Close focus 0.24 m

Cons

• APS-C only
• Older design
• Not stabilized