A 20–200mm journey zoom adjustments how you’re employed in tight rooms and sprawling streets. With this lens, you get framing choices a 28–200mm merely can’t attain indoors, plus half-macro close-up methods with out switching lenses.
Coming to you from Dustin Abbott, this balanced video appears on the new Sigma 20-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DG Modern lens and exhibits the place it wins and the place it compromises. You see how the aperture ramps rapidly: f/3.5 at 20mm, f/4 by about 22mm, and f/6.3 already close to 83mm. You additionally see why the 20mm extensive finish issues greater than spec sheets recommend, particularly in inside areas the place 28mm feels cramped. Abbott factors out that there’s no optical stabilization, so that you depend on in-body stabilization, which may be shaky at telephoto on some our bodies. The takeaways concentrate on what you possibly can reliably count on within the area moderately than test-chart fantasies.
This informative video additionally compares it to the longtime favourite Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD, which stays brighter deeper into the vary and may really feel steadier on the lengthy finish when shutter speeds dip. Abbott notes Tamron’s incoming 25–200mm G2, the Tamron 25-200mm f/2.8-5.6 G2, which muddies the waters, however the Sigma’s 20mm begin is the differentiator. You additionally see that Sigma retains the lens compact at 115.5 mm retracted and 550 g, with weather-sealing and a easy management format with AF/MF and a zoom lock. The zoom ring can really feel stiff close to the extensive finish, and zoom/focus instructions run reverse of Tamron, so muscle reminiscence may complain.
Key Specs
Focal size: 20 to 200mm
Aperture: most f/3.5 to six.3, minimal f/22 to 40
Mounts: Sony E, Leica L
Format protection: full body
Minimal focus distance: 9.8 in (extensive) to 25.6 in (tele)
Magnification: 1:2 macro replica ratio, 0.5x magnification
Optical design: 18 components in 14 teams
Aperture blades: 9, rounded
Focus: autofocus
Picture stabilization: no
Filter measurement: 72 mm
Dimensions: 3 × 4.5 in / 77.2 × 115.5 mm
Weight: 1.2 lb / 550 g
You get actual autofocus pace from Sigma’s HLA drive, and it doesn’t lavatory down at 200mm. Video AF is quiet and assured with minimal focus respiratory, however the lens isn’t parfocal, so zoom pulls want care. At shut distances, AF can hesitate if you zoom in tight, which issues in the event you file walk-up particulars or product b-roll. Focus override is all the time accessible, which helps you clear up sticky moments quick.
Optically, you commerce magic for flexibility. At 20mm, uncorrected barrel distortion and vignette are heavy, and even with profiles, some bowing and darkish corners can linger. Middle and mid-frame look good, whereas excessive corners keep comfortable even round f/8. From roughly 35–75mm, total sharpness feels extra even, and at 200mm distinction picks again up, although stopping down yields restricted good points. Background blur varies: close-up at 85mm with 1:2 magnification appears nice, however specular highlights present outlining when the background isn’t totally melted. Flare resistance is best than the shallow hood suggests, and shade holds up properly in backlit scenes.
The rice lands at $999, which is larger than older all-in-ones but aligned with a world-first 10x vary beginning at 20mm. If the a7R V’s 61 MP information are your every day weight loss program, count on to thoughts the corners on the extensive finish. When you journey mild and prioritize not swapping glass in dusty markets or wet alleys, the compact measurement, weather-sealing, and half-life-size macro swing the calculus in favor of comfort over pixel-peeping. The dearth of stabilization means watching shutter pace, particularly previous 100mm, and leaning on IBIS settings or Auto ISO caps to maintain movement blur at bay. Take a look at the video above for the complete rundown from Abbott.
