Sigma 10-20mm F/4-56 D Dc Ex Hsm Review

Sigma ten-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens Review

The Sigma 10-20mm f/iv-five.6 EX DC HSM Lens is a very practiced quality ultra-wide angle lens with a characteristic that everyone can love - a relatively affordable cost tag. I highly recommend that APS-C sensor format body owners include a 10-20mm (or similar) focal length lens in their kit equally such a lens is extremely useful. And the Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 could be a good choice to fill your UWA lens slot in your kit.

The Sigma 10-20mm f/4-v.6 EX DC HSM Lens review directly follows the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM Lens review, and considering these ii lenses are so similar, you volition likewise find their reviews to exist very similar. The other completed ultra-wide bending lens reviews from this test group include the Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM Lens Review and the Tokina 11-16mm f/ii.8 AT-X Pro DX Lens Review. Many of the same comparisons and information are shared across each of these reviews.

The Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.six sample flick above was taken with a Canon EOS 60D at 10mm, f/8. The relatively shut-to-the-snow-horse shooting position causes the horse to appear larger relative to the groundwork subject than it actually is. This technique works particularly well when photographing a fisherman's take hold of or anything else you desire to emphasize (or enlarge).

Getting the proper focal length or focal length range is a very important benchmark when selecting a lens. And the first allure to any ultra-broad zoom lens is in fact the ultra-wide focal length range, so let's review what this focal length range looks like. Being a Sigma "DC" (Digital Camera) lens, the Sigma 10-20mm f/4-v.6 has a smaller-than-full-frame epitome circle designed to work but on APS-C/1.6x/1.5x FOVCF DSLRs. All of the ultra-wide angle lenses compared in this review are the same in regards to this smaller paradigm circle. Thus, the focal lengths shown for all of the lenses below are similar to 1.6x longer focal lengths on a total frame SLR or DSLR. The Sigma'south ten-20mm frames like a 16-32mm lens frames on a full frame DSLR.

Following is an example of the focal length range of this lens. Click on the epitome beneath to view a much larger comparison including 4 other ultra-wide angle lenses.

Apply the widest focal length you lot have available in your kit (peradventure 18mm or 24mm) to closely match ane or more of the above focal lengths and base your own comparison on that choice. When deciding which focal length range is best for y'all, consider the lens(es) you already have and how the ultra-wide bending zoom focal length range aligns with information technology. Too consider which focal length range y'all need on the lens that is mounted while using this lens (with no lens change required).

In terms of focal length ranges, the focal length numbers by and large tell the deviation. 8mm is wider than 10mm and 24mm is longer than 20mm. The Sigma ten-20mm f/4-5.half-dozen EX DC HSM Lens and its Sigma x-20mm f/iii.5 EX DC HSM Lens sibling take the shortest focal length range bated from the Tokina xi-16, but the overall focal length range differences are not great and unless your needs are farthermost, you will probably settle into the range you have to work with. Similar the residuum of these focal length ranges, The 10-20mm range will complement 18-something mm lenses very nicely.

Notation that the ultra-broad angle zoom lenses are so wide that they are non going to exist the platonic general purpose lens for most people - they are still too wide for this purpose - even on the long end of the focal length range.

As I initially said in the Sigma 8-16mm Lens Review, a beach poison ivy patch every bit shown to a higher place is perhaps the most dangerous subject you want to shoot with an ultra-wide angle zoom lens. These focal lengths take in a very wide bending of view - and subjects must be close or otherwise plow into a tiny spec in your frame. One of the all-time means to use an ultra-broad angle lens is to notice a relatively shut subject that y'all want to stand out, to take presence, in relation to the groundwork. The snow horse higher up for example.

Mural photographers are one grouping that loves to detect a close subject and frame it in a striking, vast, in-focus scene using the deep depth of field these ultra wide angles of view (with narrow apertures of form) give them.

People are the one subject that you will non desire to be too close to when shooting at ultra wide angles as they will announced perspective-distorted. And this means that, unless y'all are going for the big head/big nose look, grouping photos and environmental portraits are the blazon of people pictures this lens is most useful for. And caution is however required for these shots. Whatever group members closer to the camera than those in the back can announced larger (potentially much larger).

At that place a many other uses for ultra-broad bending lenses including architecture (especially interiors) and motorcar photography. Or yous tin but capture a snap shot containing the big picture.

Similar most of the lenses in this class, the Sigma ten-20mm f/4-five.six EX DC HSM Lens has a narrow max aperture, and the max aperture changes over the focal length range. While the max discontinuity starts at f/4 at 10mm, it is only f/5 at two short mms later - at 12mm. In this group, just the Sigma 8-sixteen has a narrower discontinuity. Here is a table that compares the max discontinuity for these lenses.

Model	f/2.viii	f/3.2	f/3.five	f/4.0	f/iv.5	f/v.0	f/v.6
Canon EF-South ten-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Lens			10mm	13mm	18mm
Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM Lens					8mm	8mm	13mm
Sigma ten-20mm f/iii.5 EX DC HSM Lens			10mm
Sigma x-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens				10mm	11mm	12mm	16mm
Tamron 10-24mm f/iii.five-4.5 DI II Lens			10mm	14mm	21mm
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-Ten Pro DX II Lens	11mm
Tokina 11-16mm f/two.8 AT-X Pro DX Lens	11mm
Tokina 12-28mm f/4.0 AT-Ten Pro DX Lens				12mm

The two fixed max aperture lenses in this group, the Sigma 10-20 f/3.5 and the Tokina 11-16 f/two.8, concord the discontinuity advantage. Users of the balance of these lenses volition need to bargain with broad open exposure settings that vary over the focal length range - narrowing with focal length increase. Of class, I most often utilize these lenses at narrow apertures anyway.

Go along in mind that built-in flash coverage on near DSLRs volition not comprehend most of the focal length range of this lens. Plan on an culling method of flash lighting/diffusion if planning to use flash with this lens.

With a wide open aperture, the Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens has good sharpness beyond the frame and across the focal length range. My re-create of this lens shows some softness in the mid-frame area from 12-14mm. Stopping down the aperture by 1 end provides niggling change in sharpness over most of the range, though the mid-frame area gets sharper at 14mm f/8.

At 10mm, the Sigma 10-20mm f/4-five.6 exhibits a moderate amount of standard (not wavy) barrel baloney. By 11mm, baloney is already changed to mild pincushion distortion. Pincushion baloney becomes moderate at 14mm and remains similar through 20mm.

Like virtually APS-C lenses, the Sigma 10-twenty f/3.5 shows some peripheral shading on APS-C DSLR bodies. Expect about 2 stops of vignetting at wide open up apertures and about ane.5 stops of shading at f/8. Fifty-fifty at f/eleven, about one.two stops of shading remains in the corners. Most of my outdoor time with this lens has been on snow-covered ground and I am indeed seeing my corners go darker by a noticeable amount at common f/8 landscape apertures.

The Sigma x-20mm f/4-5.half dozen controls the bright flare spots very well, but ... it does non control flare well overall. Here is a 12mm f/11 flare case:

Flare is oft very difficult to remove in post processing, but this flare is basically incommunicable to remove from a pic. As the lens is stopped down, this effect becomes more noticeable. It is piece of cake to become bright lights in an bending of view this wide, then flare can exist an issue with the Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6.

The Sigma 10-xx f/four-v.half dozen shows a comparatively minor amount of CA (Chromatic Aberration) - express more often than not to the corners.

Bokeh (background blur quality) is not easy to discern in a lens this wide - and is not real of import for the uses I take for a lens such as this one. In the 10-20mm range, OOF details mostly remain tiny, just this half dozen-aperture-blade lens does not produce specially nice blur quality.

Unless you are using manual focus, focus accurateness is very important to last image quality. I have encountered focus accurateness problems with many 3rd political party lenses, but the Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.half-dozen EX DC HSM Lens has been performing well in this regard.

The ten-20 f/iv-5.6's HSM (Hypersonic Motor) focuses quickly and quietly, and internally - without rotating the filter threads. FTM (Full Time Manual) focusing is available and the focus ring does not plough during autofocus.

The raised AF/M switch is easy to attain with the left thumb. The adequately-sized transmission focus ring is moderately-business firm and is very smoothen with no play. Focus distances are well marked and displayed in a window. Focus animate (paradigm changes size when focusing) is not an issue with this lens.

In the short distance focusing category, the Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 turns in boilerplate functioning for this lens form. None of these lenses volition be confused with a macro lens.

Model	MFD		MM
Canon EF-Southward 10-18mm f/4.5-five.6 IS STM Lens	8.7"	(220mm)	0.15x
Canon EF-S x-22mm f/three.v-iv.v USM Lens	ix.4"	(240mm)	0.17x
Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-South DX Lens	9.5"	(241mm)	0.20x
Nikon 12-24mm f/4G AF-S DX Lens	12.0"	(305mm)	0.12x
Sigma 8-16mm f/4.v-5.6 DC HSM Lens	9.4"	(239mm)	0.13x
Sigma ten-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM Lens	9.4"	(240mm)	0.15x
Sigma x-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens	9.four"	(240mm)	0.15x
Tamron 10-24mm f/3.v-iv.5 Di Two Lens	ix.4"	(240mm)	0.20x
Tokina 11-16mm f/two.8 AT-X Pro DX Two Lens	11.8"	(300mm)	0.09x
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.viii AT-X Pro DX Lens	11.8"	(300mm)	0.09x
Tokina 12-28mm f/4.0 AT-X Pro DX Lens	ix.8"	(250mm)	0.20x

The .15x MM (Maximum Magnification) value is high enough for a 10mm lens to produce a dramatic perspective.

The rear-positioned (where I similar it) zoom ring is adequately sized, has a nice amount of rotation and is shine with no play or wobble. Zoom band rotation is in the opposite management of Catechism lenses (the same as Nikon lenses). The Sigma x-20mm f/iv-5.half dozen does modify size slightly when zooming, reaching total extension 20mm.

The overall shape of this lens is smooth with slightly smaller ribs on the focus ring than on the zoom ring. The objective stop of the lens has a wider diameter than the rest of the lens, but not as significantly so as with the Sigma x-20mm f/3.v Lens. I'g not a big fan of Sigma'due south lens finish (others dearest it), but the rubber-covered zoom and focus rings swallow a significant portion of the lens and are nice to apply.

The petal-shaped lens hood is included. I similar Sigma's heart-and-side-pinch lens caps. Information technology is easy to remove the caps even with a lens hood installed.

The Sigma x-20mm f/4-5.half-dozen EX DC HSM Lens, like the others in its class, is nicely sized for use. Compare the size and shape of the Sigma ten-20mm f/iv-5.vi with another lenses in its form below. Lenses arranged from curt to tall in retracted position, are the:

Sigma x-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens
Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.v DI 2 Lens
Catechism EF-S 10-22mm f/iii.5-4.v USM Lens
Tokina 11-16mm f/ii.viii AT-X Pro DX Lens
Sigma 10-20mm f/3.five EX DC HSM Lens
Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-five.vi DC HSM Lens

The physical size differences betwixt these lenses are non meaning. The same lenses are shown below fully extended with their hoods in identify.

Two notables from the paradigm above: The space between the Canon 10-22 and the lenses beside information technology increases significantly considering of its ultra-wide lens hood, and the size order of these lenses practically reverses with the lenses extended and the lens hoods in place. Once more, the concrete size differences betwixt these lenses are not significant - and all of these lenses take a very nice-to-utilize size.

Model	Weight		Dimensions due west/o Hood		Filter	Yr
Canon EF-South x-18mm f/four.5-5.6 IS STM Lens	eight.v oz	(240g)	2.9 x 2.8"	(74.6 x 72mm)	67mm	2014
Canon EF-Due south 10-22mm f/iii.5-4.5 USM Lens	13.6 oz	(385g)	3.iii x 3.v"	(84 10 90mm)	77mm	2004
Nikon ten-24mm f/iii.five-4.5G AF-S DX Lens	sixteen.ii oz	(460g)	3.two x 3.four"	(82.5 x 87mm)	77mm	2009
Nikon 12-24mm f/4G AF-S DX Lens	16.iv oz	(465g)	3.2 ten iii.5"	(82.5 x 90mm)	77mm	2003
Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM Lens	nineteen.half dozen oz	(555g)	3 x 4.ii"	(75 x 105.7mm)		2010
Sigma x-20mm f/iii.v EX DC HSM Lens	18.4 oz	(520g)	3.four x 3.5"	(87.3 x 88.2mm)	82mm	2010
Sigma x-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens	xvi.6 oz	(470g)	iii.iii ten 3.ii"	(83.3 ten 81mm)	77mm	2008
Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di Ii Lens	xiv.iii oz	(406g)	iii.3 x 3.4"	(83.two x 86.5mm)	77mm	2010
Tokina 11-16mm f/ii.8 AT-X Pro DX II Lens	nineteen.4 oz	(550g)	iii.3 x 3.5"	(84 x 89.2mm)	77mm	2012
Tokina 11-16mm f/two.eight AT-10 Pro DX Lens	nineteen.8 oz	(560g)	three.3 x three.5"	(84 x 89.2mm)	77mm
Tokina 12-28mm f/4.0 AT-10 Pro DX Lens	18.vii oz	(530g)	3.3 ten 3.6"	(84 x 90.2mm)	77mm	2013

For many more comparisons, review the complete Sigma x-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens Specifications using the site'south Lens Spec tool. The Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens is solidly built and weighs in at the centre of its grade - but these weight differences are not that big.

The 77mm filter size is a very mutual ane. If because the apply of a round polarizer filter, exist aware that very uneven results are likely when used at 10mm on this lens.

For many more comparisons, review the complete Sigma 10-20mm f/iv-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens Specifications using the site's Lens Spec tool.

Hither is one more look at this lens on a Canon EOS 60D with a Canon BG-E9 Battery Grip. Click on the prototype to encounter a comparison with 5 other like lenses.

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.vi EX DC HSM Lens  No Hood  |  Hood 

While comparison these ultra-wide angle lenses, let's take a look at an image quality comparison. Click on the image below to view a 100% crop prototype quality comparison between half-dozen ultra-wide angle APS-C format lenses. The comparison loads in a new page. Use Alt-Tab/Ctrl-Tab to switch between pages every bit you read the commentary below.

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. This issue is obvious in the above comparisons where the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 lands in last or near-final place in all comparison settings (y'all will run into a dissimilar performance by this lens in the ISO 12233 chart sample crops). Here are some comparisons.

The Sigma 8-16mm f/4.v-5.half dozen DC HSM Lens shifts the focal length range to the wide stop. The Sigma 8-sixteen has less barrel distortion at 10mm and slightly more than pincushion distortion by 16mm. The Sigma 8-16 is a better overall performer from a sharpness perspective, particularly in the corners. The 8-16 has less somewhat vignetting overall and an easier to right flare design. The Sigma 10-20 has an well-nigh 1/three stop aperture advantage within the shared focal length range, can accept screw-on front filters and costs noticeably less.

The Catechism EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-iv.5 USM Lens has less vignetting at the same aperture settings at the mid and longer focal lengths, has less distortion and is sharper. The 10-22 shows less flare at the wide terminate, just both take noticeable corporeality of flaring at the longer focal lengths. The Canon 10-22 is lighter, does not extend and has a small 2mm focal length advantage on the long finish. The Sigma ten-20mm f/four-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens has less CA and costs noticeably less.

Sigma's 10-20mm f/3.v EX DC HSM Lens is, in practicality, a wider discontinuity version of the Sigma 10-20mm f/iv-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens. The f/4-5.6 lens wears a significantly lower price tag - its biggest advantage. The two lenses accept very similar image quality at identical settings with the f/three.5 existence slightly sharper in the mid-wide focal lengths when both are stopped down. Both lenses have moderately strong barrel distortion on the wide end, but the f/4-5.6 does non have the wave/mustache shaped distortion the f/3.five has. As expected from a wider aperture lens, the f/3.v shows less vignetting at the same focal length and aperture settings, though stopped down differences are not significant. The f/3.5 performed better in my flare testing.

The Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-iv.5 DI Ii Lens is the least expensive lens in this comparisons, only my feel shows that yous may non even get what you lot pay for in this case. My first ii copies of the Tamron ten-24 had to exist returned for focus calibration problems. Also plagued with poor epitome quality, the Tamron'southward other advantages are a slightly lighter weight and an extra 4mm of focal length on the long end.

The Tokina 11-16mm f/two.8 AT-X Pro DX Lens has a meaning max aperture advantage over all of the other lenses in this test group. In direct comparison with the Sigma ten-20mm f/4-v.6 EX DC HSM Lens, the Tokina holds a big 1-ii terminate advantage over the shared focal length range - and is a better choice for stopping activity in low calorie-free. Both lenses have problems with flare. The Tokina is sharper at similar aperture and focal length settings, has less vignetting - even stopped down - and does not extend. The Sigma has less CA and a closer minimum focus distance with a higher maximum magnification spec. The Sigma 10-xx has a noticeably longer focal length range and a noticeably lower price tag.

The Sigma 10-20mm f/four-5.vi EX DC HSM Lens is bachelor in Canon (reviewed), Nikon, Pentax, Sony/Minolta and Sigma mounts. My standard disclaimer: In that location are some potential bug with third party lenses. Since Sigma reverse engineers (vs. licenses) manufacturer AF routines, there is ever the possibility that a DSLR body might not support a (probable older) third political party lens. Sometimes a lens tin be made compatible by the manufacturer, sometimes not. There is too the risk of a problem that results in the lens and trunk manufacturers directing blame at each other. Sigma USA's 4-yr warranty is far superior to Canon's standard i twelvemonth warranty (Sigma's international warranty is as well i yr).

Picking the all-time ultra-wide angle lens for your needs is not easy. I've liked the Canon EF-S ten-22mm f/3.5-four.5 USM Lens since information technology became available - it remains one of the best choices. The Sigma 8-16mm f/four.v-five.6 DC HSM Lens is too a good option - I especially like its extremely wide angles of view. The Tokina xi-16mm f/two.8 AT-X Pro DX Lens' f/ii.8 aperture is very nice. And the Sigma ten-20mm f/4-v.half-dozen EX DC HSM Lens is another fine option from this review list - especially from a price standpoint. If you don't have an ultra-broad angle lens for your APS-C DSLR, definitely get 1.

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