Canon EF-S 17-55 mm f/2.8 IS USM § 03 Head to head
Canon EF-S 17-55 mm f/2.8 IS USM vs Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM
Canon 17–55mm f/2.8 has a brighter maximum aperture. Sigma 17–70mm f/2.8-4 has a longer reach.
The Canon EF-S 17-55 mm f/2.8 IS USM is a 17–55mm f/2.8 zoom, and the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM is a 17–70mm f/2.8-4 zoom. On paper the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM comes out ahead, 6 advantages to 1, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Canon EF-S 17-55 mm f/2.8 IS USM 
Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM 01
Key differences
Why is the Canon EF-S 17-55 mm f/2.8 IS USM better than the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM?
- Brighter maximum aperture (f/2.8 vs f/2.8-4)
Why is the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM better than the Canon EF-S 17-55 mm f/2.8 IS USM?
- Longer reach (70mm vs 55mm)
- 175 g lighter (470 g vs 645 g)
- 32 mm shorter (79 mm vs 110.6 mm long)
- Focuses 13 cm closer (0.22 m vs 0.35 m)
- Smaller filter thread (72 mm vs 77 mm)
- Newer design (2012 vs 2006)
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Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM has the edge: it is 175 g lighter to carry.
- architecture For architecture, the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM has the edge: it is 175 g lighter to carry.
- macro For macro photography, the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.22 m.
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Specification
| Specification | Canon EF-S 17-55 mm f/2.8 IS USM | Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 17–55mm | 17–70mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 ◆ | f/2.8-4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Zoom lens | Zoom lens |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weight | 645 g (22.75 oz) | 470 g (16.58 oz) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 83.5 x 110.6 mm | 82 x 79 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.35 m (13.78 inches) | 0.22 m (8.66 inches) ◆ |
| Image stabilization | Yes | Yes |
| Aperture ring | — | No |
| Aperture blades | 7 | 7 |
| Optical construction | 19 elements in 12 groups | 16 elements / 14 groups |
| Filter size | 77 mm | 72 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Canon EF-S | Nikon F, Sony A, Pentax K, Canon EF-S |
| Released | 2006 | 2012 |
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Size
- A · Canon
- B · Sigma
- 110.6 × 83.5 mm
- 79 × 82 mm
The Canon EF-S 17-55 mm f/2.8 IS USM is 32 mm longer and 175 g heavier than the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM.
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Sample frames
Canon EF-S 17-55 mm f/2.8 IS USM
Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Canon EF-S 17-55 mm f/2.8 IS USM or the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM?
- The Canon EF-S 17-55 mm f/2.8 IS USM opens to f/2.8, against f/2.8-4 on the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM.
- Which is lighter, the Canon EF-S 17-55 mm f/2.8 IS USM or the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM?
- The Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM weighs 470 g, 175 g less than the Canon EF-S 17-55 mm f/2.8 IS USM (645 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Canon EF-S 17-55 mm f/2.8 IS USM or the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM?
- The Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM focuses down to 0.22 m, against 0.35 m for the Canon EF-S 17-55 mm f/2.8 IS USM.
- Do the Canon EF-S 17-55 mm f/2.8 IS USM and the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM have image stabilization?
- Yes, both lenses have optical image stabilization.
- Is the Canon EF-S 17-55 mm f/2.8 IS USM or the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM has the edge: it is 175 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Canon EF-S 17-55 mm f/2.8 IS USM or the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM has the edge: it is 175 g lighter to carry.
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