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Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II vs Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM

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Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II

Standard Zoom | Sony Alpha

Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II
CHECK PRICE
BUY from B&H PHOTO
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Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM

Standard Zoom | Sony Alpha

Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM
CHECK PRICE
BUY from B&H PHOTO

Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II vs Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II for the A Mount and the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM for the A Mount, two Standard Zoom lenses from Sony and Sigma.

We will start by looking briefly at the main specs of these two lenses, and in the next section, we will start analyzing them in more detail and listing the pros and cons of each lens.

Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II Key Specs

  • 18-55mm Focal Range
  • F3.5 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 55mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 222g.
  • Diameter: 72mm
  • Length: 69mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.25m
  • Max Magnification: 0.34x

Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM Key Specs

  • 24-70mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 82mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 790g.
  • Diameter: 89mm
  • Length: 95mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.38m
  • Max Magnification: 0.19x

What type of photography are the Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II and Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II and the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM
Bird/WildlifeFairFair
SportsFairAverage
PortraitGoodVery Good
TravelGoodVery Good
StreetGoodVery Good
WeddingGoodVery Good
Walk AroundVery GoodVery Good
VloggingGoodVery Good
LandscapeVery GoodVery Good
MacroAveragePoor

Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM is the longer of the two lenses at 95mm. The Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II with a length of 69mm, is 26mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM also has a larger diameter of 89mm compared to the Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II's 72mm diameter.

The 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. Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II weighs 222g, which means it is 568g (71%) lighter than the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM which has a weight of 790g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the Standard Zoom Lenses in Sony Alpha Mount for size comparison purposes.

Standard Zoom Lenses in Sony Alpha Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM Lens Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM
98mm
78mm 565g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM Lens Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM
69mm
70mm 210g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM Lens Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM
88mm
81mm 577g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 24-70mm F2.8 Di VC USD Lens Tamron 24-70mm f2.8 VC USD
117mm
88mm 825g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Lens Sigma 18-50mm F2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM
89mm
74mm 395g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM
92mm
84mm 565g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Lens Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM
121mm
78mm 810g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T Lens Sony 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM
111mm
83mm 955g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both the Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II and the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM has the same Sony Alpha lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony Alpha lenses are Sony A68, Sony A77 II and Sony A58.

Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM is also available in Canon EF , Pentax KAF3, Sigma SA and Nikon F (FX) mounts.

Focal Range

Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II has a focal range of 18-55mm and 3.1X zoom ratio which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 27-82.5mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera. Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM has a focal range of 24-70mm and 2.9X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 36 - 105mm.

Reasons to choose Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II over Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM

Focal Length - Wide 18mm vs 24mm 6mm Wider coverage
Optical Zoom 3.10x vs 2.90x More flexible focal coverage
Weight 222g vs 790g 568g lighter
Diameter 72mm vs 89mm 17mm smaller in diameter
Length 69mm vs 95mm 26mm shorter
Filter Thread 55mm vs 82mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.25m vs 0.38m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.34x vs 0.19x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM over Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II

Focal Length - Tele 70mm vs 55mm 15mm more Tele coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 2.8 vs 3.5 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 2.8 vs 5.6 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Focus Type Internal Focusing vs Extending front Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Distance Scale Yes vs No Distance Scale to assist focusing
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs No Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Max Sensor Coverage 35mm FF vs APS-C / DX covers larger sensors
Common Weaknesses of Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II and Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Internal Zoom No vs No Length of the lens changes during zooming
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.

Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II vs Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Sony Sigma
Lens Type Zoom Zoom
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Standard Zoom Standard Zoom
Lens Mount Sony Alpha Sony Alpha
Max Format APS-C / DX 35mm FF
Focal Range 18-55mm 24-70mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour - -
Zoom Method Rotary (extending) Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom - -
Zoom Lock - -
Zoom Ratio 3.1X 2.9X
Aperture
Max Aperture F3.5 - F5.6 F2.8
Min Aperture F22.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades - 9
Optics
Optical Elements 8 14
Optical Groups 7 12
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.25m 0.38m
Max Magnification 0.34X 0.19X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Micromotor Ring-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Extending front Internal
Distance Scale No Yes
DoF Scale No Yes
Distance Scale No Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 222g 790g
Diameter 72mm 89mm
Length 69mm 95mm
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 55mm 82mm
Filter Notes - Does not rotate on focusing
Hood Supplied No Yes
Tripod Collar No No
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