The super wide-angle capability of the 10-20mm zoom makes it a very powerful tool for both indoor and landscape photography. It is specifically designed to optimise results with digital SLR cameras encorporating APS-C size image sensors or smaller. Aspherical lenses provide maximum correction for distortion and various aberrations; high image quality is displayed throughout the entire zoom range. The HSM equipped models makes fast AF speeds and quiet shooting a reality, and it is also capable of full-time manual focus. It has a minimum focusing distance of 24cm (9.4”) at all focal lengths. It is also equipped with an integral Petal-type hood to block out extraneous light.
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10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens allows enjoyment of super wide-angle photography making it a very powerful tool for indoor and landscape photography with APS-C size image sensors of digital SLR cameras. Offering an ultra-wide Angle of view 102.4 - 63.8 degrees ( when used with a Sigma SD camera)
Most Appropriate Coating for Digital SLR Cameras
The new multi-layer lens coating and lens design reduce flare and ghosting, a common problem with digital cameras and also creates an optimum colour balance through the entire zoom range.
SLD and Aspherical lens elements
Three SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements ensure ulta-high Resolution and sharpness. One glass mold and two hybrid aspherical lenses offer excellent correction for distortion, as well as all types of optical and colour aberrations.
Inner Focus System
This lens incorporates an Internal Focusing system, which eliminates front lens rotation, allowing the use of a petal-type hood and also minimize fluctuation of Aberration caused by focusing system.
HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor)
The HSM equipped models ensure a silent, high-speed AF function as well as Full-time manual focusing capability for Sigma, Canon, and Nikon-D mount lenses.
Minimum focusing distance of 24cm (9.4”) at all focal lengths
This lens has a minimum focusing distance of 24cm (9.4”) throughout the entire zoom range.
Despite costing less than half the price of the Nikon and having sharp and excellent Contrast, the Sigma feels robust and has silent HSM autofocus. The Sigma 10-20mm is particularly good at tackling the Chromatic aberration problems that beset this sort of lens, keeping colour fringing to a minimum. Optically, this lens is very impressive, producing consistently sharp and crisp results which betray its focal range and price tag. Designed for SLRs with APS-C-sized sensors, rather than full frame, the 10-20mm is available in Canon, Nikon, Sony/Minolta, Pentax and Sigma. Overall, it's one of the best specific purpose lenses for APS-C format digital SLRs,'Solid build quality, great autofocus and a rock bottom price all make the Sigma 10-20mm a desirable lens.'
Why should you care what I think?
My relationship with this item: Editor review Where did you buy this item?: May 08 Price paid: 350 When did you buy this item?: Focus
Conclusions at a glance
Would you recommend this Item: Yes Pros: Price, build quality Cons: give slight chromatic aberration on the corners
Last updated: Wednesday, 18 June 2008
User Lens Reviews
Average user rating from: 97 user(s)
Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
4.3
Build Quality
4.3
AF Speed
4.3
Value for Money
4.3
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
It's good - for what it is, Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.0
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
First, this is not my first UWA lens. When it comes to ultra-wides, I've had my share. From the Tokina 11-16/2.8 (sold cause the range was too limited), two copies (one Nikon, one Canon) of the Tokina 12-24/4 and the Tokina 10-17 fisheye, I've tried most of them out there. (Sorry, I'll not spend a dime on a EF-S lens again. Thus, I've never had the cheapo Canon 10-22)
This is my replacement to the motorless Nikon-mount Tokina 12-24/4 (version 1 - version 2 has an internal focus motor). I was very skeptical of this lens for a number of reasons. Sigma has had troubles lately, I'm not a fan of variable aperture lenses and it's a "third party" lens. I've owned lots of them, but I usually end up being happier with Canon or Nikon lenses. As this does replace one of the top-rated (and personal fav of mine) 12-24, it has a lot to live up to. It doesn't disappoint.
Honestly, you're spending about half (or less) than any Nikon branded lens in the range (and right now - that would be one: 10-24). So expecting perfection or even close is certainly a path to unhappiness. I expected to send it back - but I haven't.
Pros: 10mm on the short end. Fixable distortion. Reasonable CA. You get good colors and contrast. Fast focus, given the focal length. Cons: CA, soft at the edges.
Really, for the money and for the way that most of us print, you'll find little, if any, difference between this and any other UWA. Nope, it doesn't have a fixed 2.8 - so if isolating your subject is important - pick the Tokina 11-16. Although I'm not sure that's the focus of this type of lens, anyway.
Anyone who will be really unhappy with this lens will fall into two camps: pixel-peepers and pros. Pros, most likely, won't be shooting DX anyway. Pixel-peepers are seldom, if ever, really happy. Everyone else is going to find what most reviewers say, it's a great lens. Had I not seen the edge-to-edge sharpness of the 11-16 or incredible colors of the 12-24, I probably couldn't find fault with it either.
Buy it, use it, love it. Keep it off brick walls and use something else for your 20"x30" posters and you'll find it's a keeper.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Awesome Landscape Lens - Careful with People, Thou, Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
3.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
If you're shooting landscape, this lens is an absolute must have -- stick it on a tripod, set it at f/8 and you're golden. Auto-focus is fast and accurate and doesn't have an issue focusing on objects that are close up.
That being said, when it comes to people, it's a little more problematic. Even at 16-17mm, you get distortion at the edges, so if you're shooting groups, they will be stretched/elongated. The good news is that, at 20mm, it's fairly unnoticeable. So, if you're shooting more formal pictures, rack the lens out to 20mm and move your body or tripod. If you're shooting something more action oriented like urban, extreme sports -- snowboarding/skateboarding, etc, then the distortion might actually add to the photos.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Bought it for a trip, ended up keeping it., Friday, 19 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
I bought this lens specifically for a trip to Italy. Ancient cities like Venice tend to be pretty cramped, and it is sometimes impossible to get everything you want on the frame with a regular lens. At first, I had some trouble adjusting to the properties of a lens this wide, but I got some beautiful pictures that would have been impossible with another lens. I would recommend practicing with it before you take any important photos.
The lens feels very solid and professional much more so than the lenses that come with most Nikon or Canon kits. The pictures are gorgeous (there is some distortion and Vignetting, but nothing to complain about).
My original intention was to sell the lens online after the trip, but I just like it too much.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Prepare to Relearn Photography, Sunday, 07 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
If you've never used an ultrawide lens before, you're in for a shock -- and a new challenge. Mount the Sigma (or any other ultrawide) on a DSLR, rack it out to 10-11mm, look through the viewfinder and see an entirely new perspective on the world that is totally different from what the human eye sees. Objects that are close to the camera appear much closer, and distant objects appear to be much farther away. You'll also notice that straight lines toward the edges of the frame bend, and this distortion changes dramatically as you point the camera up or down. It's a whole new world of photography, and making effective use of the ultrawide perspective takes some practice and getting used to.
Regarding the Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 specifically, it is arguably the most popular among several ultrawide choices available to Nikon and Canon users for several good reasons -- not the least of which is its low price (I recently purchased one from Amazon for my Nikon D90 for $479.99). Construction quality is excellent, particularly for a third party lens. There's nothing loose or sloppy about it, and it feels solid. I especially like the nonslip exterior finish of the zoom and focus rings, which are large and well-separated. Zooming is a little on the stiff side, but very nicely dampened and smooth without any "catches" in the zoom travel.
Optically it's a Bit of a compromise, like all ultrawides, but Sigma did a good job of balancing them. Overall sharpness is generally quite good, but it's not absolutely tack-sharp. It's noticeably soft, even in the center, at f/4 (especially zoomed out to 10mm). Stopping down to f/5.6 cures this and improves edge sharpness dramatically. Vignetting is also quite noticeable wide open at 10mm, but stopping down a bit virtually eliminates this problem. Distortion at 10 mm is irregular and difficult to correct in post processing, but simply zooming in to 11mm corrects this problem for architectural shots with a lot of straight lines. Lens flare and chromatic aberration that can be problematic with ultrawides are both extremely well managed -- not a problem at all, in fact.
In summary, the Sigma 10-20 is a reasonably priced and incredibly useful addition that will open up new photographic horizons for anyone whose current widest angle lens is 17-18mm. For example, it's a perfect complement to the versatile Nikon 18-200 VR lens for anyone who wants to travel light and still have all their bases covered for any photographic eventuality. Other users have accurately described it as a "fun" lens. And it even comes packaged with a nice padded case. Nice touch, Sigma.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Great lens, Tuesday, 02 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
I needed an extra wide lens for my crop Canon 40D. I used it for outdoor shooting and quite satisfied with the result. Sharp image, nice color and contrast. I love this lens. Only bad thing is, it would not work in a full-frame camera.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
packaging of Sigma, Monday, 01 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
When I received my Sigma ... the box that it came in had NO bubble rap... The inflated plastic was deflated which mean that the lens was not properly in place during it's travel. Other than that I totally enjoy the lens.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
I'm happy, Sunday, 31 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I went insane looking at different wide angle lenses and I am like a lot of you who would probably buy the canon, if money was no issue at all. That being said, now that I finally have it after lusting over wide angle lenses for the past year, I'm perfectly happy with it. Granted, I haven't used anything BUT this lens and I really don't want to right now, there's always going to be something better and this lens is a very good value and does a lot of really cool things. I'm sure it has limitations compared to the Canon, but it takes awesome pictures and that makes me happy. Beautiful color, sharp, seemingly good quality and no quirks, other than those that come with being a wide angle lens. I pulled the trigger and I'd do it again.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Sadly, I can not reccomend this lens., Friday, 29 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
2.3
Sharpness
3.0
Build Quality
2.0
AF Speed
2.0
Value for Money
2.0
It's not a bad lens by any means and it is a good price, however after using this lens and the Tokina 12-24mm lens I must say the Tokina is noticeably superior.
At 20mm the lens really shines, being sharp all the way to the corners. Unfortunately, however, at 20mm the vignetting is the worst of all focal lengths, which looks great in some photos and not good in others. It can only be partially corrected in PS.
In all focal lengths besides 20mm, the image becomes softer and softer on the edges as you approach 10mm. At 10mm, virtually every photo I took is unusable without cropping a few inches off each side of the photo. At 10mm, the edges are so soft that they look blurry and out of focus. Only the odd shot with leaves or water on both sides of the frame will forgive this weakness. From 11-15mm it is a little better but not much better. 16-20mm seemed to be the sweet spot for this lens with an emphasis on the 18-20mm part.
Now, I now that this is to be expected somewhat with ultra-wide angle photography, and I am not claiming that the Tokina--or any other lens--is perfect in this respect either. The Tokina is, however, much less worse. At 12mm the Tokina is soft in the edges but not so much that it looks blurry or out of focus; it is as soft in the corners as you would expect an ultra-wide angle photo to be. Anyway, after shooting with this lens daily for a few weeks and seeing the results each night, the lens had a way of forcing me to stay as close to 20mm as possible. I was really disappointed to have to do so given that I would rather just have a 20mm lens than have a 10-20mm zoom that forced me to stay as close to 20mm as possible. I know a big attraction to this lens is the 10mm number, but I can't help but wonder if they got there by fudging the quality a little bit. I have resold this lens and will not buy it again. I will stick to the Tokina or a wide-angle prime in the future. I really wanted to like this lens but unfortunately it is only adequate. If you are only doing really artsy shots and don't mind blurred corners at 10-14mm then this should be great for you, but they are just too soft for me.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Much better then Canon Lens, Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.0
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
3.0
This is now my second Sigma lens, after having a canon lens that ended up with white flakes on the inside glass and being told by their support that I would be charged for repairing it. They can keep their product. I have been using the 10-20mm for about two months now and find it fantastic! The glass is crystal clear and I find that there is no Blur on the edges of the images. I am not going to go into the specifics as you can read about them on the Sigma site. I have showed and sold five images in the last month with this lens and that just speaks for itself. Some people have complained about the weight of Sigma but I prefer it as it makes a more solid platform to shot from if shooting free hand. If you would like to see some of the images go to www.greenberimages.com, some were shot with the 10-20mm and others with the Sigma 18-200mm another good choice.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Review of Sigma 10-20 mm zoom lens for Nikon, Thursday, 21 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.0
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
3.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
I have only used it once on a trip to the Redding Bridge in Redding, CA. It was my primary lens at this spot as there are many possibilities where the wide angle works exceptionally well. It seemed to live up to expectations. It was sharp throughout and reasonably easy to use. The reversed positioning of the zoom control and the focus control was not very bothersome. I appreciated having that really wide angle as an added tool for my D300. The price was reasonable and I had done a fair amount of research on line to decide between the Sigma 12 - 24 and this lens. The Nikon equivalent cost almost twice as much. It's a fairly heavy lens but this betokens that it may be better made than some other lighter wide angle models.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Loving this lens, Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
Excellent lens for the price! Sometimes it gets a little distortion at 10mm, but that is to be expected out of many lenses when working that wide. Build quality is solid, lens feels heavy in my hand, but I don't mind that because I know it's solid. I use this lens on my Nikon D40 and it meters and auto focuses perfectly. I do however recommend shooting in the range of f/8-13 to get the crispest shots. I'd definitely recommend one.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Great price; takes nice, sharp photos, Tuesday, 19 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
Very pleased. I was torn between the Canon wide angle and this one. Can't imagine that the Canon one is $300+ better. This lens takes very sharp, clear pictures with my digital Rebel. An excellent value.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
good product, Saturday, 16 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
the lens has made the picture look better and my husband was able to take a wider or bigger subject.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Excellent lens, Monday, 11 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
Extraordinary shots. Sharp, excellent photos. I could not be happier. Really an exceptional lens that you should have in your bag.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Sigma vs. Canon, Friday, 08 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I was happy with the quality of the lens, but debated quite a while between this one and the Canon 10-22mm. So I bought both and tested them on my Canon Rebel xti. I decided to return the Sigma, as I found the Canon to be just a touch sharper. I found the quality difference to be minor and sometimes nonexistent, so the price difference is probably not justified, but I wanted to be sure, so I went for the Canon. [...]
