Digital Camera World - UK (2021-03)

K i t Z o n e

132 DIGITAL CAMERA^ MARCH 2021 http://www.digitalcameraworld.com

or Canon, Nikon, Panasonic

and Sony mirrorless full-frame

cameras, there’s no beating the

own-brand 70-200mm f/2.8

lenses on test. The Nikkor Z 70-200mm is the

pick of the crop, and delivers the best image

quality and performance of any lens in the

group. But all of the lenses for mirrorless

cameras are currently very expensive

and, now more than ever, value for money is

a major consideration for potential buyers.

For DSLRs, the Sigma Sports lens matches

the competing Nikon F-mount zoom in pretty

much every aspect of handling, performance

and image quality, and edges ahead of the

Canon EF lens. That’s no mean feat

considering that the Sigma is little more

than half the price to buy. All things

considered, it’s our overall winner for quality,

performance and value for money.

The Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 G2 is another

great-value lens, and is a little more compact

and light than the Sigma Sports. In our tests,

however, the Sigma was noticeably sharper

throughout the zoom range, especially at

wide apertures, and its optical stabilisation

was more effective when panning.

OVERALL

Features

Build & handling

Performance

Value

Overall

How the

lenses

compare

F

Sporty Sigma

is our winner

You can’t beat the Sigma 70-200mm

f/2.8 DG OS HSM | Sports for quality and value

Group Test 70-200mm f/2.8 zooms

GOLD

AWARD

BEST FOR

CANON EF

BEST FOR

NIKON F

Name Canon EF

70-200mm

f/2.8L IS III USM

Canon RF

70-200mm

f/2.8L IS USM

Nikkor AF-S

70-200mm

f/2.8E FL ED VR

Nikkor Z

70-200mm

f/2.8 VR S

Panasonic Lumix

S Pro 70-200mm

f/2.8 OIS

Sigma

70-200mm f/2.8

DG OS HSM | S

Sony FE

70-200mm

f/2.8 GM OSS

Tamron SP

70-200mm f/2.8

Di VC USD G2

Contact http://www.canon.co.uk http://www.canon.co.uk http://www.nikon.co.uk http://www.nikon.co.uk http://www.panasonic.

com

http://www.sigma-

imaging-uk.com

http://www.sony.co.uk http://www.tamron.

co.uk

Street price £2,149/$2,099 £2,659/$2,699 £1,999/$2,347 £2,399/$2,597 £2,599/$2,598 £1,179/$1,379 £2,149/$2,398 £1,249/$1,299

Mount options Canon EF Canon RF Nikon F Nikon Z L-Mount Canon EF, Nikon F,

Sigma

Sony FE Canon EF, Nikon F

Elements/Groups 23/19 17/13 22/18 21/18 22/17 24/22 23/18 23/17

Diaphragm blades 8 blades 9 blades 9 blades 9 blades 11 blades 11 blades 11 blades 9 blades

Optical stabiliser 2 modes,

3.5 stops

3 modes, 5 stops 2 modes, 4 stops 2 modes,

5.5 stops

2 modes, 4 stops 2 modes, 4 stops 2 modes, 2 stops 3 modes, 5 stops

Autofocus type Ultrasonic

(ring-t yp e)

Dual Nano USM Ultrasonic

(ring-t yp e)

Stepping motor Dual linear/

stepping motor

Ultrasonic

(ring-t yp e)

Ultrasonic (ring)

+ Linear

Ultrasonic

(ring-t yp e)

Internal zoom/focus Ye s/ Ye s N o/ Ye s Ye s/ Ye s Ye s/ Ye s Ye s/ Ye s Ye s/ Ye s Ye s/ Ye s Ye s/ Ye s

AF limit/

hold switches

Ye s/ N o N o/ N o Ye s/ Ye s Ye s/ Ye s Ye s/ Ye s Ye s/ Ye s Ye s/ Ye s Ye s/ N o

Min focus distance 1.2m 0.7m 1.1m 0.5-1.0m 0.95m 1.2m 0.96m 0.95m

Max magnification 0.21x 0.23x 0.21x 0.2x 0.21x 0.21x 0.25x 0.16x

Filter size 77mm 77mm 77mm 77mm 82mm 82mm 77mm 77mm

Weather seals Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s

Supplied

accessories

Hood, soft case,

tripod mount

Hood, soft case,

tripod mount

Hood, soft case,

tripod mount

Hood, soft case,

tripod mount

Hood, soft case,

tripod mount

Hood, soft case,

tripod mount

Hood, soft case,

tripod mount

Hood, tripod

mount

Dimensions

(dia x length)

89 x 199mm 90 x 146mm 89 x 203mm 89 x 220mm 94 x 209mm 94 x 203mm 88 x 200mm 88 x 194mm

Weight 1,480g 1,070g 1,430g 1,440g 1,570g 1,805g 1,480g 1,500g