Sigma 18-125mm F3.5-5.6 DC A-mount lens review by MarkyM

MarkyM#1121 date: Aug-26-2006
sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 3 flare control: 3 overall: 3.8	tested on: film camera: APS-C: 6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP; 16MP; 20MP; 24MP full frame: 12MP; 24MP; 36MP; 42MP; 61MP
ownership:	I have experience with this lens
compared to:	Sigma and Tamron 18-200's KM 18-70 Kit Lens. KM 28-75 D. KM 100-300 APO D. Tamron SP 90 Macro.
price paid:	missing
positive:	Compact for the range. Fairly Lightweight. Consistent Sharpness over range. Value for the Money.
negative:	Barrel Distortion at Wide. Pincushion Distortion at Tele. Some Vignetting. Not the best flare control.
comment:	I really like this lens as my "walkaround" lens. My copy is pretty consistent in its sharpness at f/5.6 and up throughout the range. I like the compromise the designers took to optimize sharpness at the expense of distortion and compactness at the expense of some vignetting. The distortion and vignetting are easily corrected in PP. Is it as sharp as my Tamron SP 90 Macro or KM 28-75 (stopped down)? No, but the pics do sharpen up nicely in PP. For its intended purpose I find it hits the sweet spot compared to the 18-200's. Build is nice and solid for its weight, "tighter" than my KM 28-75. I like the black "satin" finish.