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Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX vs Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM

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Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX

SuperZoom | Canon EF

Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX
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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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BUY from B&H PHOTO

Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX vs Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX and Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM, two SuperZoom lenses from Tokina and Sigma.

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.

Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX Key Specs

  • 17-135mm Focal Range
  • F3.5 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 77mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 610g.
  • Diameter: 84mm
  • Length: 78mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.5m
  • Max Magnification:0.18x

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 Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX 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 Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX and the Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM
Bird/WildlifeAverageAverage
SportsAverageAverage
PortraitGoodGood
TravelExcellentGood
StreetGoodAverage
WeddingGoodGood
Walk AroundVery GoodGood
VloggingGoodFair
LandscapeGoodGood
MacroPoorAverage

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM is the longer of the two lenses at 89mm. The Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX with a length of 78mm is 11mm shorter. On the other hand, the Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX has a larger diameter of 84mm 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, 19% (120g) lighter than the Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX's weight of 610g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the 'SuperZoom Lenses in Canon EF Mount for size comparison purposes.

SuperZoom Lenses in Canon EF Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Canon EF 35-350mm f3.5-5.6L USM Lens Canon 35-350mm f3.5-5.6L USM
167mm
85mm 1385g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 28-300mm f3.5-5.6L IS USM Lens Canon 28-300mm f3.5-5.6L IS USM
184mm
92mm 1670g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM
219mm
104mm 1970g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC Lens Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC
78mm
70mm 405g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 16-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Macro Lens Tamron 16-300mm f3.5-6.3 II VC PZD
100mm
75mm 540g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 28-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di VC PZD Lens Tamron 28-300mm f3.5-6.3 VC PZD
96mm
74mm 540g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC Lens Tamron 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC
97mm
75mm 400g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Lens Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM
89mm
74mm 470g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX and Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM has the same Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon EF lenses are Canon T8i, Canon 90D and Canon SL3.

Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX is also available in Nikon F (DX) mount.

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

Focal Range

Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX has a focal range of 17-135mm and 7.9X zoom ratio which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 27.2-216mm 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 Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX over Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM

Focal Length - Wide 17mm vs 18mm 1mm Wider coverage
Focal Length - Tele 135mm vs 125mm 10mm more Tele coverage
Optical Zoom 7.90x vs 6.90x More flexible focal coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 3.5 vs 3.8 Wider aperture at wide end
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs 7 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Length 78mm vs 89mm 11mm shorter

Reasons to choose Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM over Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX

Image Stabilization Yes vs No Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Weight 490g vs 610g 120g lighter
Diameter 74mm vs 84mm 10mm smaller in diameter
Filter Thread 67mm vs 77mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.35m vs 0.5m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.26x vs 0.18x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX and Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Common Weaknesses of Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX 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.

Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX vs Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Tokina Sigma
Lens Type Zoom Zoom
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type SuperZoom SuperZoom
Lens Mount Canon EF Canon EF
Max Format APS-C / DX APS-C / DX
Focal Range 17-135mm 18-125mm
Image Stabilization No Yes
Colour Unknown Unknown
Zoom Method Rotary (extending) No Zoom
Power Zoom - -
Zoom Lock - Yes
Zoom Ratio 7.9X 6.9X
Aperture
Max Aperture F3.5 - F5.6 F3.8 - F5.6
Min Aperture F22.0 - F36.0 F22.0 - F36.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 9 7
Optics
Optical Elements 15 16
Optical Groups 9 12
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.5m 0.35m
Max Magnification 0.18X 0.26X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Micromotor Ultrasonic
Full Time Manual No No
Focus Method Unknown Internal
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown no
Physical Specs
Weight 610g 490g
Diameter 84mm 74mm
Length 78mm 89mm
Materials Unknown metal mount
Weather Sealing Unknown No
Filter Thread 77mm 67mm
Filter Notes - Does not rotate on focusing
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code BH-777 Unknown
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
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