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AF-S
DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II on Nikon D90
Set to 135mm focal length (202mm in FX format)
1/160 sec F8, -0.33 EV comp, ISO 2500
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Sigma
DC 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OS HSM on Nikon D90
Set to 135mm focal length (202mm in FX format)
1/125 sec F8, -0.33 EV comp, ISO 2500
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In this comparison
test taken at 135mm focal length with aperture set to f/8, the
Nikon AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II and the Sigma DC 18-200mm
f/3.5-6.3 OS HSM zoom provided very similar results.
The result from
the Sigma DC 18-200mm OS HSM zoom shows a slight advantage in
terms of center sharpness and detail when viewed at 100%, although
this would be difficult to detect in a print even at larger image
sizes.
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Nikon
AF-S DX 18-200mm VR II versus Sigma DC 18-200mm OS HSM
Side by Side Image Sample Test: Approximately 60mm Focal Length
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Nikon
AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II
Set to 52mm focal length (78mm in FX format)
1/8 sec F8, Aperture Priority mode, ISO 1000
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Sigma
DC 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OS HSM on D90
Set to 60mm focal length (90mm in FX format)
1/13 sec F8, Aperture Priority Mode, ISO 1000
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In this test with
both lenses set to around 60mm focal length at f/8, the Nikon AF-S DX
18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II and the Sigma DC 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OS HSM
zoom provided very different results.
The Nikon AF-S DX
18-200mm VR II appears optimized for center sharpness when used with
this combination of settings, delivering better center detail than the
Sigma DC 18-200mm OS zoom. The Sigma lens performs more evenly across
the frame however, and does not sacrifice edge detail to enhance center
sharpness.
The
increased corner softness exhibited by the Nikon AF-S DX 18-200mm VR
II zoom at this focal length setting will be more noticeable at larger
print sizes. We repeated this focal length comparison test with a variety
of aperture settings and in each case the results were similar to the
above.
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Nikon
AF-S DX 18-200mm VR II versus Sigma DC 18-200mm OS HSM
Side by Side Image Sample Test: 135mm Focal Length
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Nikon
AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II
Set to 135mm focal length (202mm in FX format)
1/640 sec F8, Aperture Priority mode, ISO 1000
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Sigma
DC 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OS HSM on D90
Set to 135mm focal length (202mm in FX format)
1/500 sec F8, Aperture Priority Mode, ISO 1000
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100%
bottom right corner crop (See Full
Size 5.51 MB)
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100%
bottom right corner crop (See Full
Size 5.6 MB)
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In this comparison,
the Nikon AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II and the Sigma DC 18-200mm
f/3.5-6.3 OS HSM zoom once again provided very similar results at 135mm
focal length with aperture set to f/8.
The image from the
Sigma DC 18-200mm OS HSM zoom shows a slight advantage in terms of sharpness
and detail when viewed at 100%, although this would be difficult to
detect in a print even at larger image sizes. With this combination
of focal length and aperture, the Sigma DC 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OS HSM
seems to give the Nikon AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II zoom a
good run for the money.
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Nikon
AF-S DX 18-200mm VR II versus Sigma DC 18-200mm OS HSM
Side by Side Image Sample Test: 18mm Focal Length
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Nikon
AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II
Set to 18mm focal length (28mm in FX format)
1/640 sec F5.6, -0.33 Exp. Comp, ISO 500 (Auto)
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Sigma
DC 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OS HSM on D90
Set to 18mm focal length (28mm in FX format)
1/640 sec F5.6, -0.33 Exp. Comp, ISO 720 (Auto)
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100%
crop middle left (See Full
Size 6.80 MB)
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100%
crop middle left (See Full
Size 6.69 MB)
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Comparing the
two lenses at 18mm full wide angle with aperture set to f/5.6,
there is not much difference between the center detail found in
either sample image.
The Nikon AF-S
DX Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II zoom lens shows better
edge detail and sharpness however, compared to the rather soft
edge results in the Sigma test image.
For those that
want to shoot dramatic landscapes and group shots of people, the
better wide-angle optical capabilities of the Nikon AF-S DX 18-200mm
VR II will provide an advantage over the Sigma DC 18-200mm OS
HSM zoom, especially if the intended use is to produce printed
enlargements.
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Nikon
AF-S DX 18-200mm VR II versus Sigma DC 18-200mm OS HSM
Side by Side Image Sample Test: 24mm Focal Length
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Nikon
AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II
Set to 24mm focal length (36mm in FX format)
1/320 sec F10, Aperture Priority, ISO 640
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Sigma
DC 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OS HSM on D90
Set to 24mm focal length (36mm in FX format)
1/250 sec F10, Aperture Priority, ISO 640
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100%
crop middle left (See Full
Size 6.92 MB)
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100%
crop middle left (See Full
Size 6.23 MB)
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Comparing the
two lenses at 24mm wide angle focal length (36mm equivalent in
35mm format) with aperture stopped down to f/10 for added depth
of field, there is again not much difference between the center
detail found in either sample image.
As with our
18mm comparison test, the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G
ED VR II zoom lens shows better edge detail and sharpness at 24mm
compared to the soft corners seen in the Sigma test sample image.
We repeated
this focal length comparison test with wide open aperture settings
(F/5.6) and the results were similar with the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-200mm
VR II maintaining better edge detail.
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Nikon
AF-S DX 18-200mm VR II versus Sigma DC 18-200mm OS HSM
Side by Side Image Sample Test: 200mm Focal Length
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AF-S
DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II on Nikon D90
Set to 200mm focal length (300mm in FX format)
1/60 sec F11, +0.33 EV comp, bounced flash SB600
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Sigma
DC 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OS HSM on Nikon D90
Set to 200mm focal length (300mm in FX format)
1/60 sec F11, +0.33 EV comp, bounced flash SB600
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at 100% from center |
Crop
at 100% from center |
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at 100% from bottom left (See
Full
Size 5.52 MB) |
Crop
at 100% from bottom left (See
Full
Size 5.52 MB) |
The Nikon AF-S DX
18-200mm VR II lens performs more evenly across the frame, with the
Sigma DC 18-200mm OS HSM zoom lens sacrificing edge detail to maintain
center sharpness.
The softer corners
and lack of finer detail delivered by the Sigma DC 18-200mm OS HSM zoom
at this focal length setting and aperture is more noticeable versus
the sample image results from the Nikon.
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Nikon
AF-S DX 18-200mm VR II versus Sigma DC 18-200mm OS HSM
Side by Side Image Sample Test: 18mm Focal Length
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AF-S
DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II on Nikon D90
Set to 18mm focal length (28mm in FX format)
1/640 sec F5.6, 200 ISO, Aperture Priority Mode
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Sigma
DC 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OS HSM on Nikon D90
Set to 18mm focal length (28mm in FX format)
1/640 sec F5.6, 200 ISO, Aperture Priority Mode
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from center at 100% |
Crop
from center at 100% |
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| Crop
from top left at 100% (See Full
Size 6.75 MB) |
Crop
from top left at 100% (See Full
Size 5.95 MB) |
In this test comparing
the two lenses at 18mm full wide angle (28mm coverage in 35mm terms),
the Nikon AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II zoom shows a slight advantage
in terms of center sharpness. On the Sigma DC 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OS
HSM, corner sharpness suffers considerably in comparison. Aperture set
to f/5.6
Chromatic Aberration
(colour fringing around highlights) is not much of an issue at this
setting, with both lenses delivering decent performance. The results
are in part attributed to the use of the Nikon D90 SLR in our tests,
since it has a built in feature that compensates for lateral chromatic
aberration.
The Nikon D90 "Lateral
Chromatic Aberration Correction" function serves to reduce moiré
and provides optimized edge sharpness, providing a practical advantage
with any lens.
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Nikon
AF-S DX 18-200mm VR II versus Sigma DC 18-200mm OS HSM
Side by Side Sample Image Test Conclusion
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So if you are
in the market for a "do it all" zoom for your Nikon,
which lens is the better choice? The Sigma DC 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3
OS HSM zoom performed fairly well versus the Nikon AF-S DX 18-200mm
f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II lens in our tests, especially considering
that the Sigma sells for around half the price of the Nikkor (US
$ prices).
The Nikon AF-S
DX 18-200mm VR II zoom does offers the following advantages:
Slightly brighter
f/5.6 aperture at 200mm versus f/6.3 on Sigma
Better image
quality consistency
Greater focus
accuracy versus the Sigma DC 18-200mm OS HSM zoom lens (brighter
f/5.6 aperture on the Nikkor aids in focus acquisition)
Utilizes Nikon's
proprietary technologies and algorithms when communicating with
the camera
The Nikon AF-S
DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR II offers a richer look and feel
Provides a
focus information window
Vibration Reduction
II Technology
The Nikkor AF-S
DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II zoom offers approximately a 1 stop
advantage in terms of its vibration reduction capabilities compared
to the optical image stabilizer capabilities built-in to the Sigma
18-200mm OS HSM zoom lens (when tested at 200mm telephoto position
by taking 5 shots with each lens hand held and selecting the best
one - results will vary depending upon focal length)
Both lenses
offer the family and travel photographer a compact "one lens"
practical solution. The draw back is that in order to provide
such an extended zoom range there will be some image quality tradeoff.
If the requirement
is mainly for producing regular sized prints, posting images
online or viewing them on a computer / TV screen, both the Nikkor
AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II and the Sigma DC 18-200mm
f/3.5-6.3 OS HSM offer a decent solution.
While the
Sigma DC 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OS HSM zoom offers pretty good value
for the money all things considered, the Nikon AF-S DX 18-200mm
f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II lens provides better performance and generally
shows distinct benefits in image quality. Considering the price
difference between the two lenses, selecting between them comes
down to the needs and wants of the individual user.
If superior
image quality is a more important determinant over convenience,
we would recommend buying two lenses to cover the same focal
range. The standard Nikon AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G VR kit
lens and Nikon
AF-S 70-300mm f/4-5.6G VR or the high end AF-S
70-200mm f/2.8G VR II zoom would be our recommendation.
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