Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef vs Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

differences

Reasons to consider the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Wider aperture

f/2.8

f/4

At its widest, the 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef captures slightly more light, 1 f-stop

Slightly more magnification

1:4.1 (0.2x)

1:5 (0.2x)

Take macro shots with subjects more than 20% larger in your photo

Slightly cheaper

$199.00

$489.00

The best price we've seen is $290 cheaper (2.5x less)

Learn more about
the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Reasons to consider the Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Significantly narrower aperture

f/32

f/22

At its narrowest, the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM goes 1.1 f-stops narrower

Better image stabilization

Canon IS

Sigma OS

Less risk of blur

More zoom

2.8x

80% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos

Slightly better telephoto

85 mm

50 mm

70% more reach, less perspective distortion

Learn more about
the Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

Silent focus motor

18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef:	Sigma HSM
EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM:	Canon USM

Good image stabilization

18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef:	Sigma OS
EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM:	Canon IS

	Both are zoom lenses
	Typically not as sharp as prime lenses

	Both are variable aperture lenses
	Narrower aperture at longer focal lengths

Compared to wide angle lenses

Common Strengths	Common Weaknesses
LensHero is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.	LensHero is not aware of any interesting weaknesses shared by these two products.

competitors

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Wide angle lens

$185 - $199

Has a narrower aperture

Lacks a silent focus motor

Compare the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Compare the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef

Wide angle lens

$459

Has a fixed aperture

Doesn't have image stabilization

Lacks a silent focus motor

Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef vs the 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef vs the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Travel lens

$499 - $549

Has slightly large zoom range

Has a narrower aperture

Lacks a silent focus motor

Compare the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Compare the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Travel lens

$479

Has a narrower aperture

Compare the EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM vs the 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Compare the EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM vs the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Canon-ef

Travel lens

$399

Has a slightly shorter telephoto lens

Has way more large zoom range

Has a narrower aperture

Compare the 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Canon-ef vs the 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Compare the 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Canon-ef vs the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

Wildlife lens

$299

Has a slightly shorter telephoto lens

Has a narrower aperture

Lacks a silent focus motor

Compare the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS vs the 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Compare the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Wide angle lens

$594

Has a fixed aperture

Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Canon-ef vs the 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Canon-ef vs the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Canon-ef

Wide angle lens

$429

No image stabilization

Narrower aperture

Compare the 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Canon-ef vs the 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DG IF Macro Canon-ef

Travel lens

$299

Much more zoom

Significantly better telephoto

Doesn't have a silent focus motor

No image stabilization

Compare the 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DG IF Macro Canon-ef vs the 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Travel lens

$699

Wider aperture

Slightly more zoom

Compare the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM vs the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Wide angle lens

$1,059

Has a consant aperture

Slightly better telephoto

Significantly wider aperture

Slightly more expensive

Compare the 24-105mm f/4L IS USM vs the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Travel lens

$349

Much more zoom

Better telephoto

Worse image stabilization

Compare the 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM Canon-ef vs the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

discussion Which do you think is better?

Speech is free, but discussion at LensHero is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of these lenses here, and discuss feedback for LensHero at our support community.

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Sigma
18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef
vs
Canon
EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

differences

Reasons to consider the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Reasons to consider the Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM