SIGMA 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS Contemporary Announced – An All-Rounder Travel Zoom Lens

SIGMA has unveiled a range of sparkling, unique, and exquisite new products that may overshadow the SIGMA 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS Contemporary, the company’s latest all-rounder travel zoom lens. Despite the allure of these innovative releases, this lens is likely to become a staple in countless gear bags around the globe. It offers photographers and filmmakers exceptional coverage within a compact, lightweight, and weather-resistant design. This APS-C lens will be available in various mounts, just like most SIGMA DC lenses, including Canon RF, FUJIFILM X Mount, Sony E-Mount, and L-Mount.

Super-zoom lenses often get a bad rap, seen as optically inferior to more modest zooms or prime lenses. Personally, I’ve developed a bit of a prime snob attitude over the years, but I still fondly recall the complete compositional freedom that my first 18-200mm lens provided me nearly 20 years ago. That sense of freedom was likely amplified by a five-month backpacking adventure across South America, but this isn’t a travel blog, so let’s focus on the lens!

Technical specifications

Building on SIGMA’s expertise developed over decades in lens-making, the latest version of their classic travel super zoom features a complex optical design. This lens comprises 20 elements arranged in 14 groups, including one FLD (F Low Dispersion), four SLD (Special Low Dispersion), and four aspherical elements to effectively minimize aberrations, ghosting, and flares. Additionally, the lens offers commendable macro performance, achieving a 1:2 magnification ratio at the 70mm setting, with impressive close-focus capabilities at other focal lengths. While the SIGMA 16-300mm has an f/3.5-6.7 aperture that isn’t particularly fast, it features a 9-blade aperture that produces beautiful bokeh at narrower settings.

Mechanical features

In contrast to the impressive SIGMA BF, the design of the SIGMA 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS can be characterized as “unassuming.” It features a black plastic hood and a 67mm front element, all encapsulated in a relatively long black lens body.

The intriguing features are found within the lens barrel. It includes an optical image stabilizer (OS) that offers up to six stops of stabilization at the wide end and up to 4.5 stops at the telephoto end. Additionally, a High-response Linear Actuator (HLA) ensures fast and quiet autofocus performance. While the weather resistance is commendable, it’s important to note that the protruding design may struggle to keep out all dust and moisture.

Who is it for?

The SIGMA 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS Contemporary lens emphasizes focal versatility. It meets the needs of anyone seeking wide coverage with compact and budget-friendly glass. Whether you’re a travel vlogger, a weekend adventurer, or a beginner still exploring your preferred perspective, this lens is designed to accommodate you all.

Price and availability

The SIGMA 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS Contemporary is available for preorder at $699 / €601.25 for RF, X, E-Mount, and L-Mount APS-C cameras. Shipping is due at the end of April 2025.