Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary
Announced October 19, 2021
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary is a remarkably compact and well-built standard zoom that provides a constant f/2.8 aperture for APS-C mirrorless systems. While it lacks built-in optical stabilization and exhibits some distortion, its impressive sharpness and value make it a highly practical upgrade over standard kit lenses.
Weighted from 15 reviewer scores
Pros
- Fast, silent, and accurate autofocus system
- Extremely compact and lightweight form factor
- Sharp optical performance across the zoom range
- Excellent value for the price
- Versatile constant f/2.8 aperture
Cons
- Absence of optical image stabilization
- Significant barrel distortion and vignetting at 18mm
- Chromatic aberration and color fringing issues
- Lack of physical controls and switches
- Soft corner performance when shooting wide open
- Launch price $549 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 18-50mm f/2.8
- Mount & coverage Sony E, Canon RF, L-Mount, Fujifilm X APS-C
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 12.1 cm (0.36x)
- Filter thread 55mm
- Autofocus motor Stepping motor
- Weight & size 290g · 64.5 x 74.5 mm (2.54 x 2.93 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 15 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- PetaPixel 8.5/10
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary lens is not without its faults, but none are complete dealbreakers.
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It's decently sharp wide open, it only gets better as you stop down.
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The Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 DC DN is the zoom many cropped mirrorless cameras have been waiting for: the range may be fairly standard, but the constant f2.8 aperture, potential for shallow depth-of-field results, and corner sharpness are all a step-up over basic kit zooms [...]
- OpticalLimits 7/10
It strikes a really nice balance between decent optical quality, solid construction and a very attractive price tag.
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This is an attractively designed lens with an especially-valued focal length range.
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I suspect that the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN is going to be well received. It is a compact zoom with a nice build quality, a constant F2.8 aperture, and a very good optical performance (outside of a bit of distortion).
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It makes this Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary a viable and affordable upgrade to whatever cheap zoomable kit lens you might currently be using.
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The options have been sensibly and significantly increased by this new f/2.8 lens.
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The tiny Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary is the new holder of "best all-round standard zoom lens" for Sony E-Mount APS-C cameras.
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Sigma solves the problem by shoehorning a useful 27-75mm effective zoom range with a fast and constant f/2.8 aperture into a remarkably compact yet well-built, weather-resistant lens. It has super-fast and virtually silent autofocus, and delivers impressive image quality.
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The sharpness, contrast, color rendition, and build quality make this lens quite appealing for anyone using an APS-C size camera.
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I really don't have any complaints, guys. As I told you, this is going to be a very short lens review because the optics, as you're seeing from video, are really good.
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[T]his is a perfect lens for those who want a high quality, premium zoom lens, with fast aperture, sharp images and most importantly - ridiculously compact size at a very decent price [...]
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It is an excellent lens, highly, highly recommended.
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The Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 is a fantastic lens. Given its versatility, impressive close-up capabilities, wide maximum aperture and ultra-compact build, $549 is a fantastic price.
