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    So How Good is the Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary?

    By Updated:26 Comments Canon EOS R 4 Mins Read

    This lens makes the Canon APS-C RF system relevant, at least to me. While this lens does rely on optical corrections, it's compact and constant aperture fast ultra-wide zoom. This is something we may never see from Canon for their crop system lineup.

    Since no reviews are available for the Canon RF system and this lens, we can, however, look at Fuji and Sony reviews for this lens as a good comparison. The optical formula is the same, it's the AF algorithms and communication with the RF camera body that have been tweaked for the RF mount.

    From my favorite reviewer – OpticalLimits;

    The Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary is a wonder in terms of size and low weight – and it's even capable of delivering very good image quality. The resolution in the image center isn't top of the class but the border quality is still very good at all relevant settings. The corners are also fine at 10mm but suffer very slightly at longer focal lengths although the results stay easily on good level even at f/2.8. 

    https://opticallimits.com/fujifilm/sigma-10-18mm-f-2-8-dc-dn-contemporary-review/

    Klaus is usually critical of lenses that have a lot of digital corrections and that plays into his overall score of 7.5/10 for this lens. I think we have to temper the expectations because this is a very small lens, and it's quite inexpensive as well – both of those usually give some compromises in absolute performance.

    From CameraLabs;

    The Sigma 10-18mm f2.8 DC DN is another very welcome lens for APSC systems, and I’m delighted in Sigma’s World that now means not just Sony and Leica L mounts, but also Fujifilm X-mount from day-one. It’s compact, light and affordable, and capable of dramatic results ideal not just for landscapes and interiors, but also for presenting pieces to camera. On the downside, don’t expect miracles with the aperture wide-open. The image is sharp in the middle but there’s some softening as you approach the far corners, especially at the wider-end of the focal range. 

    https://www.cameralabs.com/sigma-10-18mm-f2-8-dc-dn-review/

    As with most APS-C lenses, they can suffer with wide open performance, but still, this is quite impressive for a lens this small.

    How small is it? Well, it's not as small as the Canon RF 10-18mm F3.5-5.6 but I don't think anyone would expect it to be as small as a variable aperture slow lens. That being said, it's not that much smaller and doesn't look out of place on the diminutive R50.

    How does the lens compare against the Canon? I am using Sigma's Geometrical MTFs which is their calculated MTFs – similar to what Canon shows.

    I find these MTFs interesting. it seems as if Canon is better on the long end and Sigma is better on the wide end. If I had one of those to prefer – I would usually prefer the wider end being better. Usually with most zooms, backing it off from the absolute telephoto improves performance, so we may be seeing here. Objectively even at the wide end, we are comparing the difference between F2.8 to F5.6. I would not be surprised if you stopped down the Sigma to F5.6 to match the Canon lens, it easily surpasses Canon's 10-18mm.

    So what would I do? I would run and get a Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN. Yes, you will lose image stabilization, but you will gain quite a bit of light and a decent performance bump on the wide end. I think that this in conjunction with the Sigma 18-55mm F2.8 DC DN forms a great pair of lenses for your Canon RF APS-C camera.

    Of course, that is my opinion and everyone is going to have their preferences when it comes to lenses.

    Preorder the Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN here;

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    Go to discussion...

    26 comments

    1. I preordered mine yesterday. My old EF lenses still take great photos but they tend to be too noisy when focusing in video. The 18-50 (NOT 18-55) works well as a video lens on an R7, especially in oversampled 4K. Now if we can just convince Sigma to introduce a 50-135 f/2.8 DC DN C!

      I'm not holding my breath for FF Sigma RF lenses.
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    4. I love the fact that Sigma is giving APS-C RF some love, but if I wanted wide angle, I would have bought an R8. My bias is distant things.

      Gimme some mondo telephoto zooms, PLEASE!
      APS-C beyond about 250 mm does not have much of an advantage over full-frame.
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    7. Yes, you will lose image stabilization, but you will gain quite a bit of light and a decent performance bump on the wide end.
      I get that the lens doesn´t have IS, but what about IBIS? Would you image stabilization when pairing it with the R7? I thought IBIS will stabilize images in all lenses.
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    10. APS-C beyond about 250 mm does not have much of an advantage over full-frame.
      The R7 works very well with the 100-400 RF lens, Sigma 150-600 Sport lens and EF300 F/2.8 IS. My only problem is that at 960mm equivalent, it's hard to hold steady even on a tripodmonopod.
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    12. The R7 works very well with the 100-400 RF lens, Sigma 150-600 Sport lens and EF300 F/2.8 IS. My only problem is that at 960mm equivalent, it's hard to hold steady even on a tripod.
      @EOS 4 Life meant, that you don't gain much design advantages on a tele lens dedicated just for APS-C and not for FF, too.
      So a pure APS-C tele wouldn't be much smaller, lighter, cheaper, as it doesn't gain design advantages from the smaller image circle than WA and UWA lenses do.
      That's the reason why you can't buy an RF-S100-400, but only the FF lens. And that works well on APS-C, too - of course.
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    13. I get that the lens doesn´t have IS, but what about IBIS? Would you image stabilization when pairing it with the R7? I thought IBIS will stabilize images in all lenses.
      yes, my assumption is that most people would be with the R10 / R50 - naturally if you have the R7 you are golden.

      Probably another good reason why we need IBIS on more than just the R7 in 2024.
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    14. I picked up the Canon 10-18 around Christmas time 2023. I don\'t do a lot of wide angle shooting but wanted one for those rare occasions when I wanted wider than the 24-105 f4 would allow. Honestly, given the price, I wasn\'t expecting a lot. I was pleasantly surprised. Is it a great lens? no. Is it a good lens? Yes.

      Because I already have the Canon version, I most likely will not be buying the Sigma version but had I not already picked up the Canon one, I would buy the Sigma version. I just don\'t see anything with it that would make owning 2 of the same focal range zooms something I would want to do.
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    16. I get that the lens doesn´t have IS, but what about IBIS? Would you image stabilization when pairing it with the R7? I thought IBIS will stabilize images in all lenses.
      How effective IBIS is depends on the focal length.
      It is generally not great at 10 mm but it is less needed.
      It should be fine at 18 mm.
      Gordon Laing from Camera Labs usually has good tests but as he says "Your results may vary."
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    17. Probably another good reason why we need IBIS on more than just the R7 in 2024.
      Canon certainly won't add IBIS just so Sigma can sell more lenses.
      Currently, every RF-S lens has IS.
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    18. yes, my assumption is that most people would be with the R10 / R50 - naturally if you have the R7 you are golden.

      Probably another good reason why we need IBIS on more than just the R7 in 2024.
      I would just add IBIS to the R10-2, adding a little cost and and a little weight but keeping the same size. The R7 is about the same size as the OM-1 and the R10/R50/R100 are all about the same size as the OM-5. Putting the Sigma lenses (plus a new 50-135) on these bodies covers those customers who highly value small size and light weight. Canon seems to have decided that a lot of customers think that way.
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    19. yes, my assumption is that most people would be with the R10 / R50 - naturally if you have the R7 you are golden.

      Probably another good reason why we need IBIS on more than just the R7 in 2024.
      R10mkii with IBIS would be great. Looking for a smaller body for the future this really would be a "golden" opportunity. I wouldn't mind the even smaller R50 as well, but I´d miss the joystick.
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