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lightrules | profile | all galleries >> Sigma 10-20 F4-5.6 EX DC HSM v. Canon 10-22 F3.5-4.5 USM tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Sigma 10-20 F4-5.6 EX DC HSM v. Canon 10-22 F3.5-4.5 USM

Jan 27, 2006. Tested here are the only two UWA lenses available in Canon mount (for APS-C sensors) that begin at 10mm (16mm FOV). Both are obviously popular choices that, by and far, receive high praises and excellent reviews. The 10-20 comes equipped with HSM and is a part of Sigma's "EX" pro-grade series; the 10-22 comes with Canon's USM and is not designated as an "L" pro-grade lens. There are a good number of crops to view in this test, so please take your time.

Quick comments:
*Sigma 10-20 $480, Canon 10-22 $690 [BH Pricing]. The Sigma is 70% the cost of the Canon (and includes an EX petal-type hood and EX black carry pouch).
*The Sigma renders a warmer tint (with the Canon being cooler); not a big deal, especially if shooting RAW.
*Under harsh lighting conditions (see Test3), the Canon fares better.
*The Canon tends to have slightly more "pop" out of the camera.
*Both yield solid center and edge resolution performance with the Sigma slightly better.
*The Canon has better flare-resistance characteristics.
*Distortion is present (especially at 10mm wide open) for both lenses but very acceptable being UWAs.
*CA is extremely well managed by both, with the Canon (arguably) being slightly better.
*Light fall-off is "acceptable" for both lenses at 10mm wide open; by f8 it's "negligible."
*The Sigma's AF is swift and silent (due to the HSM unit); it is also very accurate.
*The Canon's AF is "swifter" and also silent (due to its USM unit); it is also very accurate.
*The focus ring on the Canon is small, gritty, tight, and less refined than the Sigma (which is buttery smooth).
*While the Sigma is "only" 3 ounces heavier than the Canon, when each lens is "in hand" you can actually feel the difference. The Canon "feels" much lighter.
*Overall, these are 2 impressive UWA lenses with the Canon being IMO slightly better optically, though the build advantage goes to the Sigma. FWIW, I've reviewed countless full-frame captures of each lens both on screen (and printed out some comparison 11x14's), and by and far, it's EXTREMELY HARD to see any meaningful difference, save for the difference in color tone. If you shoot in RAW, it isn't an issue at all. Both lenses will satisfy as your UWA lens in your bag. And if you don't mind starting at 12mm, the Tokie is a VERY good one too.
*Note to D60/D30/10D owners that the Canon is an EFS mount and will NOT fit your body.

Jan 28 (day after comments): I spent a few hours early this morning, taking shots of various subjects, indoors and outdoors, and these 2 lenses are SO CLOSE IN RESOLVING POWER it's basically a wash. Both in center and edge resolution, the 2 lenses perform very similarly, it really depends on the specific accuracy of the AF on any given shot. Sometimes the Canon outresolves the Sigma, sometimes vice versa, the difference being the given AF accuracy of that particular capture. If I had to choose, it seems to me that the Sigma is slightly sharper (maybe 60% of the time, both in center and edge resolution), while in terms of contrast the Canon has the advantage (this doesn't change with AF accuracy, obviously). The Sigma generally gets very high resolution reviews (e.g., photozone, ephotozine), and from my findings, I'd agree. Both lenses reach their peak resolving power and contrast ability at f8-f11; perfect for landscapes. As they say, "F8 and be there." You really can't go wrong with either of these UWAs.

Here is the focal length to fstop break-down:
Sigma HSM
10mm f4
12mm f4.5
13mm f5
17mm f5.6

Canon USM
10mm f3.5
13mm f4
18mm 4.5

The Sigma's MFD is 9.4" while the Canon's is basically the same at 9.5" (both measured from the sensor plane, not the front lens element, which makes it "feel" a WHOLE LOT closer). In addition, the EX utilizes 3 pieces of special low dispersion (SLD) elements and 3 aspherical lens elements, while the Canon uses 1 super-UD glass element and 3 aspherical lens elements.

Here is my analysis on the Canon 1022 (C) and Sigma 1020 (S). "10" being the best, "1" being the worst...
Resolution (center): S10, C9
Resolution (edge): C10, S10
Contrast: C10, S9
Vignetting: C10, S8
Distortion (barrel): C10, S10
Distortion (pincushion): C10, S10
Flare: C10, S8
CA: C10, S9
Build: S10, C7
Handling: C10, S10
Aperture (speed): C10, S9
AF (noise): C10, S9
AF (speed): C10, S9
MFD & Magnification: S10, C9
Widest FOV: C10, S10
Bang for Buck: S10, C7
10D/D60/D30 compatible: S Yes, C No

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Side by Side
Side by Side
Rear
Rear
Front
Front
EX Side (A)
EX Side (A)
EX Side (B)
EX Side (B)
EFS Side
EFS Side
EFS Rubber Gasket
EFS Rubber Gasket
EX Weight
EX Weight
EFS Weight
EFS Weight
Test1
Test1
Test2
Test2
Test2 EX
Test2 EX
Test2 EFS
Test2 EFS
Test2 EX [PP]
Test2 EX [PP]
Test3
Test3
Test3 EX
Test3 EX
Test3 EFS
Test3 EFS
Test4
Test4
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