55-200 Sigma vs Canon

Which one would you choose out of these two?

The USM focusing motor of the Canon would give the Canon an advantage in some situations, but having used the Sigma for over year now pretty consistently it has to be one of the best bang for your buck lenses out there. I am VERY satisfied with its performance. You can pick them up used for under $100 dollars and with that focal range and crispness even at the larger apertures - its a great value at that price point.

Bruce_B wrote in post #4983902
Which one would you choose out of these two?

Buying these two lenses makes no sense because a new lens is now available for that range: Canon EF-S 55-250 IS.
This new lens is supposed to be closely comparable in quality to the excellent Canon 70-300 IS, but maybe better adapted to APS-C cameras such as Digital Rebels and 30D/40D because of its range.
Granted, this new lens may be a bit more expensive, but as always, it's the last few dollars spent that often make out all the difference.
I own the 70-300IS and love it. But now that the 55-250IS is available, I would have probabaly chosen the new lens because of the extra range in the 50-70mm, better suited to my Rebel XT 350.
I'm not saying the 55-250IS is as good as the 70-300IS, but it comes close and is relativeley well priced. The IS is a real davantage in the 100-250MM range. The lens is far better than both of the 55-200. Basically it's the same argument as between the Canon 75-300 IS and non-IS or Sigma APO lens versus the new 70-300IS. Moreover, buying the standard 55-200 from Canon ($300 CAD) or Sigma ($200 CAD ) doesn't make sense anymore for the small price difference between them and the new 55-250 lens ($350 CAD).
If you are on a very very tight budget, then get the Sigma 55-200, otherwise, buy the new Canon 55-250IS or else wait a few more months to get the extra cash $ and buy the new Canon 55-250IS. It's worth the wait!

Petelebon wrote in post #4984339
Buying these two lenses makes no sense because a new lens is now available for that range: Canon EF-S 55-250 IS.

I'm interested in that one but I don't think it's available in the US yet. Amazon shows it being released here at the end of May for $300. Might be worth the wait.

ya, andorama has it for 299.99 + shipping...which would put it at approx 2x the cost of the sigma. The difference of course is IS on the new canon...i have a 18-55 IS which is pretty much the same build type and its surprisingly well built...being plastic and all...Also, having IS is pretty nice i must say. I didnt think it was going to be much of a difference..

However, even with the 55-250 IS coming out soon, i still was able to find the 55-200 Sigma off FM for a killer price. I picked it up and sold my 75-300. I really love the reach, can see the moon shot on my flickr...but it was just to long at the short end...also its kinda soft ...still took a decent pic for the money i paid though.

I really dont think you can go wrong with the 55-200, just look at the some of the pics taken with it..i can almost not tell the difference between shots taken with this lens and much nicer, much more expensive glass.

My vote is for the sigma...could be the nifty fifty of zoom lenses =)

Bruce_B wrote in post #4984528
I'm interested in that one but I don't think it's available in the US yet. Amazon shows it being released here at the end of May for $300. Might be worth the wait.

I would really only be interested in the IS version of this lens if I was shooting in low light with this lens, and for the most part I certainly am not. Out in broad daylight (where my 55-200 gets most of its work) the IS is not going to do much for me, especially when the camera is mounted to a tripod which mine is a lot of the time.

I'm not one to just think anything with IS is necessarily a better lens. Give me wider apertures over IS any day of the week.

How does the Sigma 70-300 APO compare (not counting the range)? I've read that it's soft above 200 and that the Sigma 55-200 is sharper but a lot of people seem to like it.

TDP shows the new 55-250 IS to be better than the 70-300 IS at the wider end but slightly inferior to the 70-300 IS at the 200mm mark http://the-digital-picture.com …omp=0&FLIComp=0​&APIComp=0

The Sigma 55-200 is a very good budget tele. Consider the price and it's quite a steal.

Petelebon wrote in post #4984339
Buying these two lenses makes no sense because a new lens is now available for that range: Canon EF-S 55-250 IS.
This new lens is supposed to be closely comparable in quality to the excellent Canon 70-300 IS, but maybe better adapted to APS-C cameras such as Digital Rebels and 30D/40D because of its range.
Granted, this new lens may be a bit more expensive, but as always, it's the last few dollars spent that often make out all the difference.
I own the 70-300IS and love it. But now that the 55-250IS is available, I would have probabaly chosen the new lens because of the extra range in the 50-70mm, better suited to my Rebel XT 350.
I'm not saying the 55-250IS is as good as the 70-300IS, but it comes close and is relativeley well priced. The IS is a real davantage in the 100-250MM range. The lens is far better than both of the 55-200. Basically it's the same argument as between the Canon 75-300 IS and non-IS or Sigma APO lens versus the new 70-300IS. Moreover, buying the standard 55-200 from Canon ($300 CAD) or Sigma ($200 CAD ) doesn't make sense anymore for the small price difference between them and the new 55-250 lens ($350 CAD).
If you are on a very very tight budget, then get the Sigma 55-200, otherwise, buy the new Canon 55-250IS or else wait a few more months to get the extra cash $ and buy the new Canon 55-250IS. It's worth the wait!

Well I bought the Tamron 55-200...

LightRules wrote in post #4985228
The Sigma 55-200 is a very good budget tele. Consider the price and it's quite a steal.

That is high praise for the Sigma, especially based on who it's coming from.

Bruce_B wrote in post #4984528
I'm interested in that one but I don't think it's available in the US yet. Amazon shows it being released here at the end of May for $300. Might be worth the wait.

You may order it from Henrys (www.henrys.com) in Canada. It's Toronto's major Camera store outlet and they can sell in USD$

LightRules wrote in post #4985228
TDP shows the new 55-250 IS to be better than the 70-300 IS at the wider end but slightly inferior to the 70-300 IS at the 200mm mark http://the-digital-picture.com …omp=0&FLIComp=0​&APIComp=0

The Sigma 55-200 is a very good budget tele. Consider the price and it's quite a steal.

As I said, if you are tight in your budget, I would recomend the Sigma over the standard Canon 55-200, but in the end, image stabilisation (IS) is quite a must for tele range and I wouldn't do without. So Yes Sigma is the tele lens of choice of the poor, the Canon 55-250IS is for the others (who will wait a few more weeks to save the $ difference...)

Neither. It's a boring lens IMO with any odd FL. Better to get the Sigma 70-300 APO. More reach and you only lose 15 wide, which ain't much.

Never understood these lenses. The 55-250 IS makes sense, cheaper than the 70-300 IS but aside from that, such an odd range and you lose so much on the long end where their are other options.

_aravena wrote in post #4987779
Neither. It's a boring lens IMO with any odd FL. Better to get the Sigma 70-300 APO. More reach and you only lose 15 wide, which ain't much.

Actually, that's what I've decided. I had read that the 55-200 was sharper than the 70-300 but it doesn't look like it's much of a difference.

Petelebon wrote in post #4987702
As I said, if you are tight in your budget, I would recomend the Sigma over the standard Canon 55-200, but in the end, image stabilisation (IS) is quite a must for tele range and I wouldn't do without. So Yes Sigma is the tele lens of choice of the poor, the Canon 55-250IS is for the others (who will wait a few more weeks to save the $ difference...)

I agree that IS is lovely with teles. I basically agree with the above. Optically you probably won't see much difference between the Sigma 55-200 and Canon 55-250, but the IS is certainly a nice perk.