Support Camera Labs by price checking using the flags below



Follow us!
Camera Labs RSS Feed
Camera Labs on Facebook
Camera Labs on Twitter




Latest camera reviews

Sony Cybershot DSC-W220
Canon PowerShot G11
Canon IXUS 95 / SD1200IS
Canon EOS 7D
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
Olympus 'PEN' E-P1
Nikon D3000
Canon PowerShot SX120IS
Panasonic Lumix TS1 / FT1
Canon PowerShot D10
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
Nikon D300s
Panasonic Lumix FS25
Panasonic Lumix FZ38 / 35
Sony Alpha DSLR-A330
Sony Cyber-shot W270/290
Canon PowerShot A2100IS
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Canon IXUS 980 / SD990IS
Nikon D3x
Panasonic Lumix GH1
Sony Cyber-shot HX1
Olympus E-620
Nikon D5000
Canon EOS 500D / T1i
Canon PowerShot SX200IS
Nikon COOLPIX P90
Canon IXUS 100 / SD780IS
Panasonic Lumix TZ7 / ZS3
Panasonic Lumix G1
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D90
Panasonic Lumix LX3
Canon EOS 1000D / XS
Nikon D700


All reviews ....
   
 
  Best Buys: our top models
     



Compacts / Super-zooms
Budget DSLRs / Mid-range DSLRs / Semi-pro DSLRs
   
 



   
 



Camera Labs Forum

Any questions, comments or a great tip to share? Join our Forum and let everyone know.
   
 
  DSLR Tips



 
Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC lens review Gordon Laing, July 2006


 



 




Outdoor
/ Resolution / Corner sharpness / Fringe and macro / Geometry / Vignetting

Geometry, wide angle, tested with Nikon D2X

To measure geometric distortion we photographed a test chart consisting of a grid pattern with perfectly straight lines. The lenses were tested at their widest focal length with an aperture of f8 using a Nikon D2X in Aperture Priority mode. The images were analysed with Imatest using 5th Order line calculation and the full areas presented here at a reduced resolution.

All three lenses exhibited roughly the same degree of barrel distortion at their wide angle setting, although the Sigma model managed the best result here.

Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC
Nikkor AF-S DX VR 18-200mm 3.5-5.6G IF-ED
Tamron AF18-200mm F3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD IF
Sigma 18-200mm lens wide angle geometry test
Nikkor 18-200mm lens wide angle geometry test
Tamron 18-200mm lens wide angle geometry test
18-200mm at 18mm f8
Distortion: 4.46% barrel
  18-200mm at 18mm f8
Distortion: 5.26% barrel
  18-200mm at 18mm f8
Distortion: 5.38% barrel


Geometry, telephoto, tested with Nikon D2X

To measure geometric distortion we photographed a custom test chart consisting of a grid pattern with perfectly straight lines. The lenses were tested at their longest focal length with an aperture of f8 using a Nikon D2X in Aperture Priority mode. The images were analysed with Imatest using 5th Order line calculation and the full areas presented here at a reduced resolution.

All three lenses exhibited roughly the same degree of pincushion distortion when zoomed-into 200mm, although in contrast to the wide-angle result, the Sigma scored worst here.

Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC
Nikkor AF-S DX VR 18-200mm 3.5-5.6G IF-ED
Tamron AF18-200mm F3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD IF
Sigma 18-200mm lens telephoto geometry test
Nikkor 18-200mm lens telephoto geometry test
Tamron 18-200mm lens telephoto geometry test
18-200mm at 200mm f8
Distortion: 1.76% pincushion
  18-200mm at 200mm f8
Distortion: 1.22% pincushion
  18-200mm at 200mm f8
Distortion: 1.19% pincushion


Sigma 18-200mm results continued...

Outdoor / Resolution / Corner sharpness / Fringe and macro / Geometry / Vignetting

 
Support this site by checking prices below or shopping via our affiliate stores
     
USA readers

 
UK readers
Jessops discount voucher

All words, images, videos and layout, copyright 2005-2009 Gordon Laing. May not be used without permission.

About Us / How we test / Best Buys / Advertising / Home