Marke Loc: Roanoke, Virginia

I am using a Sony A-550 Camera, and I'm looking for another lens. I specifically want an 18-250 lens. Which do you find is better? The Sony 18-250mm (SAL18250) or the Sigma 18-250mm, and why do you feel this way?

Mark

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

Hello Mark,
When I was looking for an everyday do everything lens, I ask myself the same question. Tamron also makes a good lens for your consideration that is 18-270.
I settled for the Sigma because of the reviews of other people on B&H. I have been satisfied with it. Turn off the IS on the lens or you get unwanted blurr if also leave the camera IS on. Go to your camera store on put each lens on your camera to see if you like it. Any one of three, you will be happy with. It all comes to what you like the best and what you want to pay.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Hmmm.... Yeah, keep reading the reviews. I tried the Sony lens on my a500. Personally, I thought that my Sony 200mm lens, even though not quite as fast, edged it out. The clerk at the store thought the same thing. Very, very strange. It was still good. The Sigma looks to be about the same even though I have not tried one. Unless you are willing to spend more than $1000.00 on a lens, I think either one of them will give you satisfactory results if you are a casual shooter. If this is your budget range, then go with the Sigma. It's $100.00 cheaper. Make sure you check out the return policy at the place you buy it in case you are unhappy with the results. Just make sure you take a hard look at the chromatic aberration. This can be very frustrating and hard to get rid of in post processing.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

I will add to my comments, that the Sony 18-250 did not stay in possible choices for very long for the reasons that tainkc mentioned.

Dun1 Loc: Atlanta, GA

You can go to the Nikon site there is a lens comparison there that will show you what a lens take based on the focal length, i.e. 18mm-400 etc. Whether or not you are a Nikon user it will help you take a look at lenses without having to drive to a store.
Here is the link the lens comparison should be in the second panel on the page and will say "Launch lens simulator". While your camera might be a Sony matters not you get and idea about lenses and what they will look like on your camera. You can also take a look at Fred Miranda's website where he compares Sigma lenses the link is below the Nikon length.
http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Camera-Lenses/index.page#c54-CID-1296509109099-tab-2

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/index.php?cat=46

dixiemegapixel Loc: Salemburg, NC

I have not tried the Sigma, but my Sony has terrible lens creep and it is only a few months old. Nonetheless, I am satisfied with its photo quality.

Marke Loc: Roanoke, Virginia

I'm using the Sony SAL18250 (18-250) lens on one of my A550 cameras, but I want another 18-250 lens for the other one. I am not sure if the sigma lens is better, or not as good as this sony lens, or if a minolta lens has better quality or not. The same thing with the Tamron lens. I'm just not sure which will offer me the best quality for the buck. Because of the shooting that I do, I do NOT like swapping lens over out in the field, and don't like carrying those extras with me, thus the desire for the 18mm through 250mm lens.