Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM § 03 Head to head
Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM vs Tamron SP AF 17-50 mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC
Sigma 17–70mm f/2.8-4 has a longer reach. Tamron 17–50mm f/2.8 has a brighter maximum aperture.
Both lenses are made for the Nikon F mount: the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM is a 17–70mm f/2.8-4 zoom, and the Tamron SP AF 17-50 mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC is a 17–50mm f/2.8 zoom. On paper the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 1, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM 
Tamron SP AF 17-50 mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC 01
Key differences
Why is the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM better than the Tamron SP AF 17-50 mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC?
- Longer reach (70mm vs 50mm)
- 100 g lighter (470 g vs 570 g)
- 16 mm shorter (79 mm vs 94.5 mm long)
- Focuses 7 cm closer (0.22 m vs 0.29 m)
- Newer design (2012 vs 2009)
Why is the Tamron SP AF 17-50 mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC 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)
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Which should you buy?
- 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.
- landscape For landscape photography, the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM has the edge: it is 100 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 100 g lighter to carry.
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Specification
| Specification | Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM | Tamron SP AF 17-50 mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 17–70mm | 17–50mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8-4 | f/2.8 ◆ |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/32 |
| Lens type | Zoom lens | Zoom lens |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weight | 470 g (16.58 oz) ◆ | 570 g (20.11 oz) |
| Dimensions | 82 x 79 mm | 79.6 x 94.5 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.22 m (8.66 inches) ◆ | 0.29 m (11.42 inches) |
| Image stabilization | Yes | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No | — |
| Aperture blades | 7 | 7 |
| Optical construction | 16 elements / 14 groups | 19 elements / 14 groups |
| Filter size | 72 mm | 72 mm |
| Lens mount | Nikon F, Sony A, Pentax K, Canon EF-S | Nikon F, Canon EF-S |
| Released | 2012 | 2009 |
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Size
- A · Sigma
- B · Tamron
- 79 × 82 mm
- 94.5 × 79.6 mm
The Tamron SP AF 17-50 mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC is 15 mm longer and 100 g heavier than the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM.
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Sample frames
Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM
Tamron SP AF 17-50 mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM or the Tamron SP AF 17-50 mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC?
- The Tamron SP AF 17-50 mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC 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 Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM or the Tamron SP AF 17-50 mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC?
- The Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM weighs 470 g, 100 g less than the Tamron SP AF 17-50 mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC (570 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM or the Tamron SP AF 17-50 mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC?
- The Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM focuses down to 0.22 m, against 0.29 m for the Tamron SP AF 17-50 mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC.
- Do the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM and the Tamron SP AF 17-50 mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC have image stabilization?
- Yes, both lenses have optical image stabilization.
- Is the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM or the Tamron SP AF 17-50 mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC better for macro photography?
- 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.
- Is the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM or the Tamron SP AF 17-50 mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC 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 100 g lighter to carry.
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