Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G vs Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary
Sony E-Mount
Both are fast standard zooms with constant f/2.8 for Sony E APS-C, but with a different focus. The Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G (August 2019) is a G lens with dust and moisture protection, starts at 16 mm and reaches 55 mm. It weighs 494 g and has 67 mm filters. The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary (October 2021) is much more compact and lighter (290 g, 55 mm filters) and focuses from 12 cm, giving 1:2.8 magnification at the wide end. Neither has built-in stabilization.
So you trade 2 mm of wide angle and 5 mm of reach plus sealing for much less weight.
Which one suits whom?
- Sony 16-55mm: You want more room at both ends and a lens with sealing.
- Sigma 18-50mm: You want a compact setup and the short minimum focus distance for detail shots.
Key differences
- Focal length: 16-55 mm on the Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G, 18-50 mm on the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary.
- The Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary is 204 g lighter (290 g vs 494 g).
- The Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary is 25 mm shorter.
- The Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary focuses closer: from 12 cm instead of 33 cm.
- Filter thread: 67 mm on the Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G, 55 mm on the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary.
Specs side by side
The key specs of both lenses side by side.
| Lens | Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G | Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 16-55 mm | 18-50 mm |
| Max. aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Weight | 494 g | 290 g |
| Filter diameter | 67 mm | 55 mm |
| Min. focus distance | 33 cm | 12 cm |
| Length | 100 mm | 75 mm |
| Autofocus | yes | yes |
| Image stabilization | no | no |
Size comparison
- Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G: 100 × 73 mm
- Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary: 75 × 65 mm
Side view to the same scale, length × diameter (without lens hood).