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05-10-2018, 04:54 AM   #1
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Pentax 18-270mm vs Sigma 18-300mm lens

I want to purchase an all purpose "travel" lens and have narrowed it down to the Pentax-DA 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 and the Sigma 18-300m F3.5-6.3 lenses. The two biggest differences that I see are price and weight. I also do not see that the extra 30mm in zoom will be that different. If we take the price out of the equation, which lens do people feel is the better lens? Thanks in advance for the information and assistance.

05-10-2018, 05:33 AM   #2
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If you can find a DA 18-250 in good shape it has as good or better reviews. The DA 18-250 also works well with the Tamron tele-converter, is screw drive so it works with any autofocus Pentax camera and takes very nice images. I got mine here in the forums and still use it even though I have newer lenses that cover those focal lengths.
05-10-2018, 06:49 AM - 1 Like   #3
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I used to own the Pentax 18-270. It was decent enough, but not great. I now own the Sigma 18-300, and - considering it's a "superzoom" lens (and therefore very much a compromise) - it's remarkably good. As a lens for all focal lengths, it does an excellent job.

That said, I'm sure you're aware that even the best superzoom will be considerably inferior in image quality to good lenses with more limited focal length range. So long as you keep that in mind, though, I don't think you'd be disappointed with the Sigma
05-10-2018, 08:48 AM - 1 Like   #4
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I will comment on the superzoom. I had a DA18-250mm for 8 years. I bought it 2nd hand and I love it. An excellent all around zoom lens, very sturdy. But it was old and I had to replace it after 8 years of hard work. I bought a DA18-270mm for replacement. In my opinion, the DA18-270mm is an improvement over the DA18-250mm for its silent and faster AF, and the (small) extra reach. The IQ is very comparable IMHO and decent.


I tried briefly the Sigma 18-250mm but it is very heavy. I carry my camera when bushwalking and I value the Pentax camera and lens system for its small size and weight.. The Sigma 18-250mm was too heavy and I was nor comfortable. The Sigma 18-300mm is slightly heavier and I did not consider it.


In summary, if you want value for money and (relatively) light weight, a DA18-250mm in good condition would be great option IMHO, as mentioned earlier. If you have more funds, the DA18-270mm is good option for new lens with warranty.


My 5 cents, hoping that it may help.


Last edited by hcc; 05-10-2018 at 10:51 PM.
05-10-2018, 02:32 PM   #5
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I have been using the SIgma 18-250 as my walking around lens for years it never has had a problem
05-10-2018, 05:21 PM   #6
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I used to have the Tamron 18-250, which is the twin of the DA 18-250 and the ancestor of the 18-270. I used it as my only lens for about 6 years. I think it was typical of modern superzooms: good in the centre across the range (very good from about 24-70), OK in the edges/corners when stopped down at the wider end, fairly weak in the edges and corners at the longer end; a fair bit of purple fringing in high contrast regions; a tendency to nisen bokeh. All the images I have seen from the 18-270 show the same broad characteristics. That doesn't sound like an appealing package, but really it did very well considering the versatility, compactness and light weight. Used within its limitations, and stopped down where practicable it was a good lens. Better than a lot of old zooms with more limited focal range.

The other thing to mention is that the 18-250 shows a lot of focus breathing, so the real magnification of subjects in practice was often a lot less than the equivalent of 250mm. One of the 55-300 variants would be a lot better option for birds or butterflies or whatever.

I can't comment on the Sigma. But I have been impressed with the results from a NZ Pentaxian named Maureen Pierre. I don't know whether she is a member of this forum, but have a look at her Flickr stream: Flickr: Maureen Pierre A lot of her shots are taken with a Sigma 18-300. Shows what a skilled photographer can do with this lens.
05-10-2018, 06:57 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by rr1736 Quote
I have been using the SIgma 18-250 as my walking around lens for years it never has had a problem
I used to have a Sigma 18-250, it now resides with my daughter -in-law. We had focussing and de-centering problems. We sent it to Sigma, They replaced a couple of parts on the focussing assembly, but did nothing for the de-centering issue. It was good left and centre, but soft right of centre making it useless for landscape even at ƒ8, My daughter in law uses it mainly for her dogs and is happy with it.

My current plan is to use the 18-135 and 55-300 PLM for the kinds of photos we used it for.


Last edited by normhead; 05-11-2018 at 05:42 AM.
05-11-2018, 05:37 AM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by hcc Quote
I will comment on the superzoom. I had a DA18-250mm for 8 years. I bought it 2nd hand and I love it. An excellent all around zoom lens, very sturdy. But it was old and I had to replace it after 8 years of hard work. I bought a DA18-270mm for replacement. In my opinion, the DA18-270mm is an improvement over the DA18-250mm for its silent and faster AF, and the (small) extra reach. The IQ is very comparable IMHO and decent.


I tried briefly the Sigma 18-250mm but it is very heavy. I carry my camera when bushwalking and I value the Pentax camera and lens system for its small size and weight.. The Sigma 18-250mm was too heavy and I was nor comfortable. The Sigma 18-300mm is slightly heavier and I did not consider it.
Please note, there are two versions of Sigma 18-250, the older one big and heavy with OS
https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/sigma-18-250mm-f3-5-6-3-dc-os-hsm.html
and the newer one , much smaller and MACRO, moreless the same size as DA 18-250
https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/sigma-18-250mm-f3-5-6-3-dc-macro-hsm.html
and probably optically the best but bigger and heavier
https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/sigma-sigma-18-300mm-f35-63-dc-macro-hsm-c.html

Last edited by i_trax; 05-11-2018 at 06:18 AM.
05-11-2018, 05:45 AM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by i_trax Quote
Please note, there are two versions of Sigma 18-250, the older one big and heavy with OS and the newer one , much smaller and MACRO, moreless the same size as DA 18-250
Mine was the newer one. I would characterize it as un-repairable by Sigma after 3 years of use. There were no drops or usual stress place on it. It just didn't hold up. My 18-135 is older and has held up, with much more and much rougher use. YMMV.

I sent Sigma several images showing them exactly how bad the de-centering was, according to the invoice, they didn't even attempt a repair. The same way there are people who won't buy SDM lenses, I now won't buy SIgma lenses. I received two bad copies of the 120-400 and gave up. I bought the 60-250 with the 1.4 TC and that has been a much better and sharper solution than the 120-400 turned out to be. The last one was returned because the IQ was terrible. I can't determine if there was something wrong with it, or it was just that bad.

Last edited by normhead; 05-11-2018 at 05:50 AM.
06-28-2018, 09:26 PM   #10
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Did you decide ?

QuoteOriginally posted by aunt goosey Quote
I want to purchase an all purpose "travel" lens and have narrowed it down to the Pentax-DA 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 and the Sigma 18-300m F3.5-6.3 lenses. The two biggest differences that I see are price and weight. I also do not see that the extra 30mm in zoom will be that different. If we take the price out of the equation, which lens do people feel is the better lens? Thanks in advance for the information and assistance.

I was wondering if you ever bought your super zoom and which one you selected?
06-29-2018, 05:18 AM   #11
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The Sigma 18-300 is surprising, never superb but good all-around. But the Pentax is comparable for the most part, and has WR (I think) and in-camera corrections. Simply remember that it's always a matter of compromise with these lenses.
06-29-2018, 06:11 AM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by bdery Quote
The Sigma 18-300 is surprising, never superb but good all-around. But the Pentax is comparable for the most part, and has WR (I think) and in-camera corrections. Simply remember that it's always a matter of compromise with these lenses.
The reason i asked was I have the Pentax 18-250mm which I like. Based on what I read the Sigma 18-300mm is perhaps a tad sharper in the middle of the frame so I was considering an upgrade.

.
06-29-2018, 06:19 AM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by dronegeek Quote
The reason i asked was I have the Pentax 18-250mm which I like. Based on what I read the Sigma 18-300mm is perhaps a tad sharper in the middle of the frame so I was considering an upgrade.
I think the upgrade will be minimal. I'd consider a shorter range or prime lens at the focal length you prefer for those moments when you feel better IQ is warranted.
06-29-2018, 11:56 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by bdery Quote
The Sigma 18-300 is surprising, never superb but good all-around. But the Pentax is comparable for the most part, and has WR (I think) and in-camera corrections. Simply remember that it's always a matter of compromise with these lenses.
No, the Pentax DA 18-250 or 18-270 do not have WR. The DA 18-135 has WR.
06-30-2018, 11:21 PM - 1 Like   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by dronegeek Quote
The reason i asked was I have the Pentax 18-250mm which I like. Based on what I read the Sigma 18-300mm is perhaps a tad sharper in the middle of the frame so I was considering an upgrade.

.
Had the DA 18-250 for a couple of years and used it extensively for travels. It had its flaws, but it did the job well. I really grew to like and trust the lens.

This past holiday season I got the Sigma 18-300 and it is indeed much sharper than the 18-250, both in the center and edges and corners, across all focal lengths. I would move the 18-250 for whatever you can and put that towards the 18-300, it should serve you well for a long time.
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