Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens (Canon) DxOMark Review: Excellent Sharpness!

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DxOMark published their Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens (for Canon EF) review and test results: Tested on the Canon EOS 7D Mark II, the Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens achieved an outstanding overall score of 27 points, with a combination of 14 P-Mpix Sharpness, 2 TStop Transmission, 0.1% Distortion, -1.3 EV Vignetting and 6μm Chr.aberration – this Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens has excellent sharpness (the sharpest zoom lens) and excellent low-light performance (best in class).

“Achieving an overall score of 27 points, the Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 A is one of the best-performing zoom lenses we’ve tested on the EOS 7D Mark II, thanks to its constant f/1.8 maximum aperture, and its bright 2 TStop light transmission that ensures great low-light results.

Scoring 14 P-MPix, it’s also the sharpest zoom lens we’ve tested for the Canon APS-C mount, including both APS-C and full-frame EF-mount Canon L-series lenses.”

Highlights

  • Constant f/1.8 maximum aperture
  • Excellent sharpness — best in class
  • Excellent low-light performance — best in class
  • Tripod collar
  • Manual focus override

Potential drawbacks

  • No optical image stabilizer
  • Big and heavy

Conclusion from DxOMark:

A versatile telephoto lens choice for shooting a variety of subjects including sports, events, and portraits, the Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 A’s great light transmission makes it the best-performing zoom lens for the Canon APS-C that we’ve tested. Sharpness is very good, too, with excellent results at f/1.8, although it’s not a massive improvement over the Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 at f/2.8 (and indeed, the older Sigma APS-C telephoto is marginally better at the narrower f/4 and f/5.6 apertures).

With very good lens metrics for distortion, vignetting, and chromatic aberration as well, however, the new Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 A stacks up as a high-performing all-round telephoto zoom that’s worthy of the high price tag for Canon APS-C shooters.

Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens for Canon: $1,099 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama.

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