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Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM vs Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM

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Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS

Standard Zoom | Canon EF-S

Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM
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Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM

SuperZoom | Canon EF

Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM
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Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS vs Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two lenses with different focal types: Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS is a Standard Zoom lens with a 18-135mm focal range and a max aperture of F3.5 - F5.6 whereas Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM is a SuperZoom lens with a 18-125mm focal range and max aperture of F3.8 - F5.6.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS Key Specs

  • 18-135mm Focal Range
  • F3.5 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Canon EF-S Mount
  • Weight: 515g.
  • Diameter: 77mm
  • Length: 96mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.39m
  • Max Magnification:0.28x

Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Key Specs

  • 18-125mm Focal Range
  • F3.8 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 490g.
  • Diameter: 74mm
  • Length: 89mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.35m
  • Max Magnification:0.26x

What type of photography are the Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS and Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS and the Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM
Bird/WildlifeAverageAverage
SportsAverageAverage
PortraitGoodGood
TravelExcellentGood
StreetGoodAverage
WeddingGoodGood
Walk AroundVery GoodGood
VloggingGoodFair
LandscapeGoodGood
MacroAverageAverage

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS is the longer of the two lenses at 96mm. The Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM with a length of 89mm is 7mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS also has a larger diameter of 77mm compared to Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM's 74mm diameter.

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM weighs 490g, 4% (25g) lighter than the Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS's weight of 515g.


Lens Mounts

Both Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS has the Canon EF-S lens mount whereas the Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM has the Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with these mounts are Canon T8i, Canon 90D and Canon SL3 for the Canon EF-S Mount and Canon T8i, Canon 90D and Canon SL3 for the Canon EF Mount.

Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS is also available in Canon EF-S mount.

Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM is also available in Sigma SA and Nikon F (DX) mounts.

Focal Range

Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS has a focal range of 18-135mm and 7.5X zoom ratio which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 28.8-216mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera. Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM has a focal range of 18-125mm and 6.9X zoom ratio which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 28.8-200mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.

Reasons to choose Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM over Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM

Focal Length - Tele 135mm vs 125mm 10mm more Tele coverage
Optical Zoom 7.50x vs 6.90x More flexible focal coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 3.5 vs 3.8 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Magnification 0.28x vs 0.26x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM over Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM

Distance Scale Yes vs No Distance Scale to assist focusing
Weight 490g vs 515g 25g lighter
Diameter 74mm vs 77mm 3mm smaller in diameter
Length 89mm vs 96mm 7mm shorter
Minimum Focus Distance 0.35m vs 0.39m can focus closer to the subject

Common Strengths of Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM and Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM
Image Stabilization Yes vs Yes Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Internal Focusing Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Common Weaknesses of Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM and Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM
Weather Sealing No vs No not safe under rain and dust



**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS vs Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Canon Sigma
Lens Type Zoom Zoom
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Standard Zoom SuperZoom
Lens Mount Canon EF-S Canon EF
Max Format APS-C / DX APS-C / DX
Focal Range 18-135mm 18-125mm
Image Stabilization Yes Yes
Colour Black Unknown
Zoom Method Rotary (extending) No Zoom
Power Zoom No -
Zoom Lock No Yes
Zoom Ratio 7.5X 6.9X
Aperture
Max Aperture F3.5 - F5.6 F3.8 - F5.6
Min Aperture F22.0 - F38.0 F22.0 - F36.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 7 7
Optics
Optical Elements 16 16
Optical Groups 12 12
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.39m 0.35m
Max Magnification 0.28X 0.26X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Ultrasonic Ultrasonic
Full Time Manual Yes No
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale No Yes
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale No Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No no
Physical Specs
Weight 515g 490g
Diameter 77mm 74mm
Length 96mm 89mm
Materials Plastic barrel, metal mount metal mount
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 67mm 67mm
Filter Notes - Does not rotate on focusing
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code EW-73D Unknown
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
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