Sigma 10-20mm f3.5 EX DC HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras with APS-C Sensors

Product Information

All of the ultra-wide angle lenses compared in this review are the same in regards to this smaller image circle. Landscape photographers are one group that loves to find a close subject and frame it in a striking, vast, in-focus scene For its price, Sigma's latest 10-20mm is a very interesting lens indeed. The comparatively bright constant f/3.5 aperture make composing and confirming focus in low light conditions easier than with its slower predecessor, which will certainly help those shooting dimly-lit interiors and at night. The ultra wide angle class of APS-C lenses is one of the harder lens groups to select a best lens for you from. Nikon’s “P” series of NIKKOR lenses use stepping motors to “focus smoother and quieter than previous drive systems. This quiet drive system makes the lenses ideal for use when shooting video.” (quotation from Nikon Press-release).

Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM: Digital Photography Review Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM: Digital Photography Review

The 10-22 shows less flare at the wide end, but both have noticeable amount of flaring at the longer focal lengths. The Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6 shows a comparatively small amount of CA (Chromatic Aberration) - limited mostly to the corners. Sigma usually makes very respectable wideangle lenses, and it has been a pioneer in wideangle zooms. However, the results from the 10-20mm lens could be better. Corner sharpness is a particular bugbear; the Sigma lens simply displayed more instances of corner smudging than any of the other lenses on view. Central sharpness is good, but not outstanding, while fringing is apparent at times throughout the examples I shot. This will make it so much easier shooting in darker environments where you do not want or can use flash lighting, for example in churches or at different sports venues. At 10mm, the Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 exhibits a moderate amount of standard (not wavy) barrel distortion.The Sigma has less CA and a closer minimum focus distance with a higher maximum magnification spec. These focal lengths take in a very wide angle of view - and subjects must be close or otherwise turn into a tiny spec in your frame.

Nikon 10-20mm, Tokina 11-20mm, or Sigma 10-20mm: Nikon SLR Nikon 10-20mm, Tokina 11-20mm, or Sigma 10-20mm: Nikon SLR

Watch out for sample variatons! My first sample of the Sigma 10-20 was decentered and had to be exchanged. The second sample is fine. Sigma have done a good job here, with the lens sporting a 77mm filter thread, not a huge size for an optic this wide. And the front element does not protrude, so that close fitting filters can be used. The Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens is a very good quality ultra-wide angle lens with a feature that everyone can love - a relatively affordable price tag. The Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 controls the bright flare spots very well, but ... it does not control flare well overall.The lens is slightly bigger so it does need a little more adjustment in your lens bags if you already had it tight. The AF/M switch is different on this model. It's almost like they redesigned it and made it an interchangeable unit. I'm not willing to take it apart to find out why it's designed this way, perhaps something to do with the way how they have to make it adaptable for the different camera mounts. I suspect they are using a more easily interchangeable part with circuitry built right into the switch for each camera model/mount. If you have ever taken apart a sigma lens, they all have very interchangeable parts, a smart thing to do from a manufacturing point of view. Note that the specific Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM Lens I reviewed performed much worse on the left side of the frame than on the right. It makes me wonder why would Sigma create a constant f3.5 aperture lens if it is unusable at anything under f8? I like the Nikon 10-24mm for a DX camera as it uses the standard 77mm size filters which fit the majority of Nikon lenses (10-24, 16-35, 18-35, 24-70, 17-55, 17-35, 24-120, 28-300, 70-300, 80-400, 70-200, etc.) and save me money but also makes life simpler when I only need to carry one set of filters for all the lenses I will be using during the day.