Tamron 16-300 vs Sigma 18-300
/Sigma 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM Contemporary
vs
Tamron 16-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD MACRO
These two APS-C lenses give you an equivalent range of 28mm to 480mm!! A huge range and this I am calling this
The battle of convenience. Two Super Zoom lenses face off!
I am generally not a fan of do-it-all lenses. Lenses that cover this much range make sacrifices in quality—sharpness, distortion, chromatic aberration. But when I reviewed the newer Tamron 16-300 a few months ago, I was pleasantly surprised by its performance. Yes, it still has issues, but it held up quite well. And I certainly enjoy the convenience—especially when traveling or hiking—of carrying just one lens that provides a huge range, decent macro capabilities, and image stabilization for handheld video.
Then Sigma released an 18-300, and I have been asked repeatedly to compare these two lenses.
Bottom Line on These Lenses
These lenses are for someone who is happy with the quality of the kit lens that came with their camera but wants more zoom without having to switch lenses.
These lenses are not for someone who frequently shoots in low light or wants the absolute sharpest image quality.
Personally, I suggest carrying one of these do-it-all lenses along with a small prime like a 24mm or 35mm. It’s a compromise on the carry-only-one-lens philosophy, but it gives you an excellent low-light, sharp lens option when you really need it—without adding much bulk or weight to your camera bag.
Now, Which of These Two Lenses Is Better?
I’ll give you the answer up front: 9 out of 10 times, I would pick the Tamron over the Sigma, despite the Sigma being marginally sharper at some focal lengths.
Why? The Tamron has faster focusing, full-time manual focus, weather sealing, a nicer focus indicator, and starts just a little wider.
Lets Compare Sigma 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM Contemporary vs Tamron 16-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD MACRO Point by Point
Build Quality & Features – Both lenses have similar construction, made of tough plastic. From a distance, you might mistake the Sigma for metal, but it’s the same basic material as the Tamron. Both feel well made, feature telescoping zoom, and have internal focusing—great for using circular polarizers.
• Filter Size: Tamron uses 67mm; Sigma uses 72mm.
• Lens Hood: Both include one.
One downside of the Tamron is its small and slippery AF/MF and IS (VC) switches. Sigma’s switches are slightly taller and easier to operate. However, the Tamron offers full-time manual focus, a great feature that allows quick fine-tuning. On a lens with this much range, focusing can be slow, and the ability to assist AF or manually fine-tune focus makes for a much smoother experience.
The Tamron’s stabilization also seems slightly better—noticeable in slower shutter speed handholding and when shooting video, where it appears just a bit smoother.
Weight – Sigma: 1lb 5oz, Tamron: 1lb 4oz.
Focusing Speed – Both use ultrasonic focusing systems (HSM for Sigma, PZD for Tamron). I tested them at Longwood Gardens using a Canon 7D Mark II on a moving train display. In both One Shot and AI Servo modes, the Tamron consistently kept focus on trains moving directly toward me. With the Sigma, some shots were slightly out of focus—it was just a bit slower. The Tamron also performed slightly smoother in video focusing.
Macro Capabilities – Identical for both lenses.
• Close Focus Distance: 15” with AF, ~6” with MF.
• Magnification: Same for both.
• Sigma’s 2x Magnification Filter: A $50 screw-on filter designed to double magnification.
Image Quality
• Sharpness: The Sigma is slightly sharper, and when viewing at 100% or more, the difference is noticeable.
• Chromatic Aberration: The Sigma shows significantly more purple/magenta fringing, which may be due to its increased sharpness.