Product Comparison: Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80 mm f/2.8-4E ED VR vs Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC OS HSM


General Specifications
Brand
Nikon
Sigma
Model
AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80 mm f/2.8-4E ED VR
17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC OS HSM
Origin
Japan
Japan
About the Product
Take photos and videos that are anything but ordinary with this state-of-the-art 16-80mm DX-format zoom lens. With a fast f/2.8-4 aperture, VR image stabilization and Nikon's advanced lens technology, it covers wide-angle to portrait views with absolutely brilliant image quality.
The 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro HSM OS is the first lens in the Contemporary line of Sigma’s Global Vision. The Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 was designed to be the ideal all-purpose lens for APS-C DSLRs.
Key Specs
Mount Type
Nikon F-Bayonet
Canon EF
Maximum Aperture
2.8 /f
2.8 /f
Minimum Focal Length
16 millimeters
17 millimeters
Maximum Focal Length
80 millimeters
70 millimeters
Lens Type
Zoom
Macro
What customers say about "Key Specs"
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80 mm f/2.8-4E ED VR Camera Lens
  • The 16-80 was sharper at all apertures from F4 through F16. It did not matter what focal length I was at.
  • I compared the 16-80 (set to 34mm on my D7200) with the Nikkor 50mm F1.8 mounted on my D750. Again, I was surprised that the 16-80 actually looked better at all apertures.
  • The 2.8 - 4 aperture means that it's great in low light situations, too.
  • It's heavy, expensive but gives a quality picture head an shoulders above all the other Nikon lenses in this focal range.
  • The only disadvantage of this Nikon lens was one single thing: the maximum aperture drops from an excellent f2.8 to a still-good f4.0 when you zoom it all the way to 80mm.
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC OS HSM for Canon
  • It's super sharp when you set the aperture narrower than f/8 and the 70mm of focal lenght really can come in handy.
  • Excellent lens, very sharp and quick to focus, the range is all you need in most situations, big aperture makes it versatile and a good performer even in low light.
  • The focal range covers 90% of what I need and the faster aperture is useful.
  • Distortion is acceptable and fairly easy to fix and set at optimum apertures, edge and corners are fine depending on how big you're going to print of course.
  • It doesn't have quite the focal range and the pictures I have taken are not clear and sharp.
Size & Weight
Height
3.1 in.
3.1 in.
Width
3.1 in.
3.1 in.
Depth
3.3 in.
3.2 in.
Weight
16.1 oz.
16.4 oz.
What customers say about "Size & Weight"
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80 mm f/2.8-4E ED VR Camera Lens
  • Zoom range good. Aperture good. Stabilisation great! Size and weight just fine.
  • It's the best lens I have purchased. It's lightweight and the focus and VR is amazing.
  • This is a great lens in just about every respect. Lightweight. Quality construction. Great performance.
  • It's a good lens. Very light and comfortable on my Nikon D500. I can shoot a full wedding with just this lens and that saves me from carrying additional lenses.
  • Great lens and great low light capabilities. A little heavy, but that's good glass for you.
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC OS HSM for Canon
  • Excellent lens for its size, photo quality on my Canon 60D is fab!
  • The size of the lens is quite small and compact, not as heavy as the Nikkor 35-70mm and yet it fits beautifully in the hand and on my camera and feels absolutely perfect.
  • I love this lens. It is bright, reasonably compact, not too heavy, focusses down to next to nothing and complements my 70-200mm perfectly.
  • It's quite heavy, at almost half a kilo, plus it drains the battery more quickly than the kit lens.
  • Its a bit heavy, the lens cap its tricky to fit, and it has a tendency overexposure in low light with my camera but manageable.
Imaging
Minimum Focus Distance
13.78 in.
8.6 in.
Field Of View
83° - 20°
79.7º - 22.9º
Zoom Type
Rotating
Manual
Focus
Auto Focus, Manual Focus
Manual Focus, Auto Focus
Optical Stabilization
Yes
Yes
What customers say about "Imaging"
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80 mm f/2.8-4E ED VR Camera Lens
  • Focus is fairly fast and accurate except for very close up but is certainly not as silent and as quick as it should be for the price.
  • The focus speed seems similar to the 24-120, and the VR seems to work as advertised.
  • This zoom is the equivalent of a 24-120mm lens on an FX camera. The IQ is very acceptable for a compact zoom lens.
  • Great all-purpose lens. Nice zoom range that covers most of what you need.
  • Zooming ring isn't consistent in movement, the motor is noisy for this price!
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC OS HSM for Canon
  • The OS system is very unobtrusive compared to my Canon zoom but it still seems to perform well in all conditions.
  • Macro shots are quite spectacular and the auto-focus is very fast and pretty accurate, but can be easily switched to manual mode if needed.
  • The quality of the image is great and focus perfect & fast on my Canon. Much sharper than my old 16-85mm lens.
  • I really like this lens. My first Sigma lens and it's very impressive. Images are sharp, bokeh is pleasant, auto focus is quick.
  • The focus ring doesn't rotate far which increases the difficulty of manual focusing slightly but is in no way a deal breaker.
  • AF/Manual focus switch is a little hard to move, could be a good thing, and I may get used to it.
Features
Brand Compatibility
Nikon
Canon
Sensor Type Compatibility
DX-format
Full-Frame
Lens Groups and Elements
17 Elements in 13 Groups
16 Elements in 14 Groups
Number of Aperture Blades
7
7
Filter Diameter
72 millimeters
72 millimeters
Extras
AS stands for Aspherical lens elements, IF Lens, Electromagnetic Diaphragm Mechanism, Nano Crystal Coat, ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) Glass, AF-S (Silent Wave Motor), Fluorine Coating, Super Integrated Coating, Vibration Reduction
Sigmа USB Dock, HSM (Hyper-Sonic Motor), Lens hood, lens caps are included, Aspherical Lens
What customers say about "Features"
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80 mm f/2.8-4E ED VR Camera Lens
  • The electromagnetic diaphragm now allows aperture adjustment in Manual and Aperture modes so you can adjust the aperture in Live view for both still and movie modes.
  • It is a very good lens at a very high price and that even the fantastic VR is not so fantastic with the newer high ISO sensors on offer.
  • A specialized electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism operates in precise sync with the camera's shutter for reliable exposure control during high-speed sequences.
  • Making it easier to wipe off water, dirt and smudges, the front and rear lens elements have Nikon's exclusive fluorine coat.
  • Lens works very poorly with my Nikon camera, does not transmit all the characteristics that have been described.
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC OS HSM for Canon
  • Appears to be acceptably sharp at all apertures and focal lengths. This lens is compatible with the Sigma USB dock, so it can be fine-tuned to correct back-focus or front-focus.
  • Relatively bright, good focus speed thanks to HSM and cool design.
  • It's compatible with the Sigma Dock which can be purchased separately to attach the lens to the computer and provide advanced control over focusing adjustments.
  • Front element does not turn during focus. Great for polarizers and gradient filters.
  • Lens cap doesn't snap on tightly, I have to snap it on, then screw it tight.
Warranty / Certifications
Manufacturer Warranty
1 year(s)
1 year(s)
Certifications
CE
CE
Other Information
Manufacturer
MSRP
1069.95 $
339.00 $
Other reviews