Best Entry Level DSLR Lens
SIGMA 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM | Contemporary
Aimed at DSLR photographers with an APS-C sensor that want one lens to handle a wide range of shooting situations, the SIGMA 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM | Contemporary delivers an effective range (due to APS-C multiplication factor) of 27-450mm. The lens contains an improved optical stabilization system, so important to image quality in such a long range zoom. Constructed with 17 elements in 13 groups, the lens offers a minimum focusing distance of 15.4 inches (39cm), thus the Macro designation. Perhaps the most intriguing specs are the size and weight for such a lens: 4 inches (101.5mm) in length, unextended, and 20.6 oz (585g) in weight, making it an extremely portable lens for beginner DSLR photographers.