CameraReview

Sigma 16-300mm F3.5-6.7 DC OS Contemporary

Sigma · 16–300 mm · f/3.5–6.7 · Contemporary · Image Stabilization

Sigma 16-300mm F3.5-6.7 DC OS Contemporary

Score Breakdown

Scores combine our editorial testing with published lab data.

Physical 85
Optics 57
Features 81
Construction 55
67
SCORE /100
What We Like
+World's largest 18.8x zoom ratio for APS-C mirrorless lenses, covering true wide-angle 16mm to 300mm telephoto
+Exceptional optical stabilization with 6 stops at wide end and 4.5 stops at telephoto, enabling sharp handheld shots in low light
+Compact and lightweight at 615g despite massive zoom range, making it ideal for travel and walkaround photography
+Fast and accurate HLA autofocus motor with suppressed focus breathing, suitable for both stills and video
+Impressive macro capability with 1:2 magnification at 70mm, enabling detailed close-up photography
+Dust- and splash-resistant construction with water-repellent front element coating, designed for outdoor use
Worth Knowing
−Variable aperture f/3.5-6.7 limits low-light gathering ability at telephoto end, requiring slower shutter speeds
−Image quality trade-offs at the telephoto end and periphery due to extreme zoom range requiring compromises
−Autofocus can struggle with fast-moving subjects compared to specialized telephoto or prime lenses
−Limited macro sharpness at closest focusing distance (about 1 inch from front element) with potential shadow casting issues

General

About This Lens
The Sigma 16-300mm F3.5-6.7 DC OS | Contemporary is the world's first mirrorless lens with an 18.8x zoom ratio, making it an exceptional all-in-one solution for APS-C mirrorless cameras. Measuring just 73.8mm in diameter by 121.4mm in length and weighing just 615g, this remarkably compact superzoom delivers 6 stops of image stabilization at the wide end and 4.5 stops at the telephoto end. While the lens's feature package requires an image quality sacrifice, especially in the periphery and at the long end, Sigma has created perhaps the ultimate all-in-one zoom for APS-C mirrorless cameras, particularly excelling as a travel and versatile general-purpose lens.
BrandSigma
Release Year2025
Production Status
ⓘ
Current status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued).
In Production
Pro Branding
ⓘ
Specific branding codes used for professional-tier lenses.
Contemporary
Lens Mount
ⓘ
The lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras.
Fujifilm X
System
ⓘ
Indicates which camera system the lens is designed to attach to.
Fujifilm X
Maximum Format
ⓘ
Largest sensor size compatible with the lens.
APS-C

Physical

85/100
Lens Weight615 g
Lens Diameter
ⓘ
Width of the lens at its widest point
73.8 mm
Lens Length
ⓘ
How long the lens is from front to back.
121.4 mm
Front Filter Compatible
ⓘ
Some lenses are compatible with front filters, some are compatible with back filters and some are compatible with both. Front filters are usually more convenient to add and remove.
Yes
Front Filter Size
ⓘ
Diameter of attachable filters.
67 mm

Optics

57/100
Focal Range
ⓘ
Shortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end )
16–300 mm
Aperture Range
ⓘ
Largest aperture at the lens's shortest focal length to longest focal length (aperture range start - end)
3.5–6.7
Focal Length Angle of View83.2°–5.4°
Flange Focal Distance
ⓘ
Distance from lens mount to sensor.
17.7 mm
Diaphragm Type
ⓘ
Structure and design of the aperture
Automatic
Blades
ⓘ
Number of diaphragm blades in aperture
9020
Zoom Lens
ⓘ
Zoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups
Yes
Zoom Mechanism
ⓘ
System enabling zoom function
Manual
Zoom Ring
ⓘ
If zooming is adjusted using a zoom ring
Yes
Zoom Type
ⓘ
The design or approach to zooming
Rotary
Closest Focusing Distance
ⓘ
Minimum distance for a subject to be in focus.
17 cm01500
Maximum Magnification
ⓘ
Largest size a subject can be reproduced
0.5x
Autofocus ModeYes
Manual ModeYes
Manual Focusing RingYes

Features

81/100
Weather Sealing
ⓘ
Weather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions.
Yes
Fluorine Coating
ⓘ
Coating to repel water and oil from lens elements.
Yes
Built In Lens HoodNo
Lens Hood TypePetal
Zoom Lock
ⓘ
Zoom lock allows the zoom ring to be locked at the desired focal length
Yes
Teleconverter
ⓘ
A teleconverter (extender) is an extra piece of equipment that fits between the lens and the camera body to enhance magnification
No
Image StabilizationYes
IS Efficiency
ⓘ
IS efficiency refers to the effectiveness of the image stabilization system in compensating for the blurring effects of camera shake, quantified by the number of stops of stabilization it provides.
6 stops

Construction

55/100
Elements
ⓘ
Lens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens.
20
Groups14
Aspherical Elements
ⓘ
The number of aspherical lens elements which can help correct aberrations such as spherical aberration.
4
Bi Aspherical Elements
ⓘ
Elements with two non-spherical surfaces
0
Low Dispersion
ⓘ
Elements that reduce chromatic aberration
5
Super Low Dispersion
ⓘ
Advanced elements further reducing chromatic aberration
1
CA Reduction
ⓘ
Built-in features to reduce chromatic aberration
0
Internal Focusing
ⓘ
Internal Focusing means that the lens does not change in size during focusing, and the front element does not rotate.
Yes