Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens for Canon Digital EOS

  • Price: $339.00
  • GBP 214.28
  • B&H # SI1812535OSC
  • Mfr# 853101

Product Highlights

  • Optical Stabilizer

Protect Your Purchase

International Pricing Disclaimer
 

What item is right for you?

Ask our Experts!

800.831.2434
Live Chat

The Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens offers a high zoom ratio lens solution to digital SLR cameras, allowing you to zoom from wide-angle to long telephoto. It provides the equivalent focal range of approx. 29-200mm when used with a Canon digital SLR camera(*). This lens has now been updated with the OS (Optical Stabilizer) system, which minimizes image blur caused by camera shake, and offers the equivalent of shooting at a shutter speed 3-4 stops faster. This allows handheld telephoto zoom shooting even in poorly lit conditions.

The 18-125mm's optical design incorporates aspherical lenses and SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass, which provides the utmost correction for all types of aberrations. It also enables this high zoom ratio lens to be housed in a compact and lightweight construction.

DC lenses are exclusively designed for digital SLR cameras. The image circle (rear of lens) is sized to match the smaller dimensions used for the image sensor on digital cameras. As a result these lenses are also more compact and lightweight, and are better matched to digital SLR cameras.

Note! (*) Not suitable for 35mm film SLR cameras or for any digital SLR camera with image sensor bigger than APS-C size, e.g. 1D series or Kodak Pro SLR/c.

The OS system uses two sensors inside the lens to detect vertical and horizontal movement of the camera. It works by moving an optical image stabilizing lens group, to effectively compensate for camera shake. It automatically detects movement of the camera and compensates for camera shake when shooting moving subject such as motor sports.
Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass, a molded glass aspherical element and two hybrid aspherical elements provide excellent correction for all types of aberrations.
Super Multi Layer (SML) coating reduces ghost and flare.
Performance
Focal Length 18 - 125 mm
Aperture Maximum: f/3.8 - 5.6
Minimum: f/22
Camera Mount Type Canon EF-S
Format Compatibility Canon (APS-C)
Angle of View 69.3° - 11.4°
Minimum Focus Distance 1.15' (35.05 cm)
Magnification 0.26x
Maximum Reproduction Ratio 1:3.8
Groups/Elements 12/16
Diaphragm Blades 7
Features
Image Stabilization Yes
Autofocus Yes
Tripod Collar No
Physical
Filter Thread 67 mm
Dimensions (DxL) Approx. 2.9 x 3.5" (7.37 x 8.89 cm)
Weight 1.11 lb (503 g)

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens for Canon Digital EOS
 
4.0

(based on 21 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (6)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (9)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (6)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (0)

83%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Easily interchangeable (16)
  • Fast / accurate auto-focus (16)
  • Strong construction (12)
  • Lightweight (9)
  • Durable (8)

Cons

  • Heavy (6)
  • Poor in low light (4)
  • Lens creep (3)

Best Uses

  • General purpose (10)
  • Landscape/scenery (7)
  • Portraits (5)
  • Weddings (5)
  • Sports/action (4)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Enthusiast (9), Semi-pro photographer (6)
    • Was this a gift?:
    • No (4)

Most Liked Positive Review

 

Great lens if you can put up with noise

This is an exceptional walk-around lens. The photo quality is wonderful. Not too heavy or bulky. There is one significant problem that is emerging from many users, which is the only reason I ...Read complete review

This is an exceptional walk-around lens. The photo quality is wonderful. Not too heavy or bulky. There is one significant problem that is emerging from many users, which is the only reason I did not give this 5 stars. The OS gears rarely stop turning. Instead of coming on only when using the OS, you can hear an annoying chatter noise from inside the lens for at least a minute. It stays this way until you press the shutter release half-way. Then it wakes up and stays on forever again. This is true whether the OS is physically turned on or not. This is a big problem that must be addressed by Sigma. I certainly must have a detrimental effect on camera battery life, not to mention possible lens life issues. I returned my first lens of this model to B&H, thinking it was defective (major judos to B&H for helping with this!). The replacement lens exhibited the same problem. Internet posts from other users confirm the issue. Interestingly, the new Sigma 150-500 OS HSM that I also purchases exhibits no noise at all. Overall, if you can put up with the noise, this is an awesome lens. I only wish they made it in an 18-200+

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

 

Error 99 on Rebel XTi

I like everything about this lense, except I was getting intermittent Error 99 Impossible to take the picture..............turn the camera off and back on messages when used ...Read complete review

I like everything about this lense, except I was getting intermittent Error 99 Impossible to take the picture..............turn the camera off and back on messages when used with my Rebel XTi. I do not get this error with any other of my lenses. Sigma says maybe this particular lense is bad. I chose to return for a refund until I can find out more about the situation. I do not know all the conditions that cause this to happen, but I could force it with F6.3 at 160 shutter speed at ISO 400. Time will tell if I try again.[...]

REVIEWS

Reviewed by 21 customers

Sort by

Displaying reviews 1-20

Back to top

Previous | Next »

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

 
5.0

Exactly what we were looking for

By Sophie

from Bogota, Colombia

About Me Photo Enthusiast

Verified Buyer

Pros

  • Easily Interchangeable
  • Fast / accurate auto-focus
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Poor in Low Light

Best Uses

  • Landscape/Scenery
  • Macro Photography
  • Weddings/Events

Comments about Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens for Canon Digital EOS:

This is not a professional lens but its excellent for a passionate amateur and we are very happy with it and strongly recommend it.

  • Was this a gift?:
  • Yes

Share this review

(1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

 
3.0

judge a book by its cover!

By Mohammed S.

from Malibu, CA

About Me Semi-pro Photographer

Verified Reviewer

Pros

  • Durable
  • Easily Interchangeable
  • Handy
  • Nice Bokeh

Cons

  • Blurry Focus
  • Difficult to Clean
  • Heavy
  • Lens Creep
  • Poor in Low Light
  • Slow Focus
  • Weak Casing

Best Uses

  • Landscape/Scenery
  • Sports/Action
  • Weddings/Events

Comments about Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens for Canon Digital EOS:

I Use this product with my Canon 60D....
What I love about this camera is that it is very clear at day time.
BAD resolution with low-light conditions

  • Was this a gift?:
  • No

Share this review

 
5.0

i gave this product again

By drareginasb

from sao paulo, brasil

About Me Casual Photographer

Verified Buyer

Pros

    Cons

      Best Uses

        Comments about Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens for Canon Digital EOS:

        fantastic

        • Was this a gift?:
        • Yes

        Share this review

         
        4.0

        A Super-Fine Lens for Many Purposes

        By Jan

        from Northern New Mexico

        About Me Semi-pro Photographer

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

        • Easily Interchangeable
        • Fast / accurate auto-focus
        • Lightweight

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Landscape/Scenery
          • Macro Photography

          Comments about Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens for Canon Digital EOS:

          I can use this lens for almost all of my photographic needs. I do landscape photography as well as portraits and macro. This lens fits all these needs. I really like the 18-125 range. It's great not to have to keep changing lenses. I haven't found a thing to complain about yet!

          • Was this a gift?:
          • No

          Share this review

          (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

           
          4.0

          18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 for canon digital eos

          By none

          from Kissimmee FL

          About Me Photo Enthusiast

          Verified Buyer

          Pros

          • Consistent Output
          • Durable
          • Easily Interchangeable
          • Fast / accurate auto-focus
          • Lightweight
          • Strong Construction

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • Landscape/Scenery
            • Macro Photography
            • Sports/Action
            • Weddings/Events
            • Wildlife Photos

            Comments about Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens for Canon Digital EOS:

            It's practicly The only lens I have to use now.
            Lightweigth. Over all very convinient.
            It's very very good

            • Was this a gift?:
            • No

            Share this review

             
            3.0

            a steal

            By blizzard

            from colorado

            About Me Semi-pro Photographer

            Pros

            • Fast / accurate auto-focus
            • Rugged
            • Strong Construction

            Cons

            • Heavy

            Best Uses

            • Landscape/Scenery

            Comments about Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens for Canon Digital EOS:

            well made, sharp

            • Was this a gift?:
            • No

            Share this review

            (2 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

             
            3.0

            18-125 f/3.8-5.6 Canon lens

            By Betty Sue

            from New York, NY

            About Me Semi-pro Photographer

            Verified Buyer

            Pros

            • Easily Interchangeable
            • Fast / accurate auto-focus

            Cons

            • Heavy
            • Poor in Low Light

            Best Uses

            • Weddings/Events
            • Wildlife Photos

            Comments about Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens for Canon Digital EOS:

            So far, I have been shooting casually with this lens; as well as using it for still-lifes. I am happy with the clarity and quality of the images. My main complaint is the extreme delayed reaction when depressing the shutter button which occurs more frequently than I would have hoped.

            Share this review

            (2 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

             
            4.0

            Good General purpose lens

            By J&S

            from Surf CIty, NC

            About Me Semi-pro Photographer

            Verified Buyer

            Pros

            • Consistent Output
            • Easily Interchangeable
            • Fast / accurate auto-focus
            • Strong Construction

            Cons

            • Heavy
            • Poor in Low Light

            Best Uses

            • Landscape/Scenery
            • Weddings/Events

            Comments about Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens for Canon Digital EOS:

            The lens is used for advanced amature photography including events such as equestrian, wedding, partys.

            Share this review

             
            4.0

            Really good all around lens

            By Nikki

            from St. George, Utah

            About Me Semi-pro Photographer

            Pros

            • Consistent Output
            • Durable
            • Easily Interchangeable
            • Quick Focus
            • Strong Construction

            Cons

            • Heavy
            • Lens Creep
            • Noisy OS

            Best Uses

            • Landscape/Scenery
            • Portraits
            • Sports/Action
            • Travel

            Comments about Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens for Canon Digital EOS:

            I am still new to this lens but so far the pictures have turned out awesome. Other then the sound of the OS motor running constantly making a small but very unnoticeable grinding noise, it has been a good lens. The AF is quick and efficient. Great lens to have in your arsenal!

            Share this review

            (4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

             
            4.0

            I needed this lens.

            By Karel

            from Phoenix, AZ

            About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

            Verified Reviewer

            Pros

            • Consistent Output
            • Easily Interchangeable
            • Great lens for the price
            • Quality feel
            • Quick Focus

            Cons

            • Lens Creep
            • Soft focus

            Best Uses

            • General Use
            • Night Photography
            • Sports/Action

            Comments about Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens for Canon Digital EOS:

            I got this lens about a month and a half ago and I have been pleased with it so far. It is my second walk-around lens for my Canon XTi. My default lens is the Sigma 17-70mm Macro, which I'll use if I don't need extra "reach" in low light conditions, or I know I'll be using a flash.

            I bought this lens after doing some research. It takes a lot more money to get a significantly better lens. Since most of what I do winds up at 72 dpi, why not save the money?

            I have read complaints about the fact that the optical stabilization system makes noise and is hunting all the time. I agree that this will cause extra wear, but the noise is quiet and does not bother me. It does drain on the camera battery, but just a bit. This does further relegate this lens to "second walk around", along with the fact that my 17-70mm lens is sharper.

            It is good to fill the frame with the subject. It is not the sharpest lens when subjected to very close scrutiny. There is color aberration and it is a bit soft. But with minimal cropping, it is plenty sharp, even at high resolution. Too, there is a bit of barrel and pin cushion distortion at full wide angle and full telephoto, respectively.

            The zoom is smooth and the lens has a good quality feel. The focus throw is very short, so manual focus takes practice. It does have some zoom creep, but it can be locked at 18mm for transport. I would like to see this lens with a fixed minimum aperture of f/3.5 or f/4 to help with low light conditions, but I'm sure that would raise the price significantly. I like the fact that the front element does not rotate, and that the lens comes with a petal shade (which is an annoying adder with some lenses).

            My principal use of this lens is indoor candid photography, and for that, it works well. However, a stabilized lens helps make the camera appear steady, but it won't stabilize your subject! This could make for some interesting effects. Too, pushing this lens (or any other lens) under low light and telephoto conditions makes focusing critical, as there is little depth of field.

              • Similar:
              • Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro

              Share this review

               
              5.0

              Great deal !!

              By EDD

              from Brasil

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Durable
              • Easily Interchangeable

              Cons

                Best Uses

                  Comments about Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens for Canon Digital EOS:

                  Excelent quality and price!

                  Share this review

                  (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                   
                  3.0

                  Makes you go "Hmmmm..."

                  By Craig

                  from Arlington, VA

                  About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

                  Verified Buyer

                  Pros

                  • Lightweight
                  • Quick Focus
                  • Strong Construction

                  Cons

                    Best Uses

                    • General Use
                    • Landscape Photography

                    Comments about Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens for Canon Digital EOS:

                    This lens seems like a good value for the price. The IQ seemed good and i loved the zoom range. But the focus or IS motor seems to run constantly when the camera is on and the noise is troubling...what is that motor doing to my camera's battery charge when it runs constantly? I returned for a refund. B&H is awesome to deal with on such returns.

                    Share this review

                    (6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

                     
                    4.0

                    So Far So Good...

                    By 8o8bikes

                    from Grand Rapids Michigan

                    About Me Semi-Professional

                    Verified Reviewer

                    Pros

                    • Consistent Output
                    • Decently fast AF
                    • Durable
                    • Easily Interchangeable
                    • Lightweight
                    • Sharp Focus
                    • Strong Construction

                    Cons

                    • Possible inconsistent OS

                    Best Uses

                    • General Use
                    • Landcape
                    • Night Photography
                    • Upgrade
                    • Wildlife

                    Comments about Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens for Canon Digital EOS:

                    I've had this lens for about six months now and must say i had my doubts at first. within the first few days out of the box the OS started messing up. when it would focus from something up close to something far away or vice versa the image through the view finder shake up and down and then the lens wouldn't focus on anything at all. after turning the camera off and waiting a while it would go back to normal, but still continued. right before i was ready to send it back it stopped happening. i tried to get it to happen again and couldn't. i originally bought it for a wedding that i was going to photograph and i put it through 13+ hours of shooting and it worked perfectly and produced beautifully sharp images. I've been able to shoot as low as 1/4 shutter speed with OS on. auto-focus is decently fast but could be quicker. if your thinking of buying this for sports the AF might be a little to slow. and the sound that people say they hear from the OS is really not that bad. you can only hear it when you have the camera to your face.

                    Share this review

                    (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

                     
                    4.0

                    Good, but not exceptional lens

                    By Falco251

                    from Italy

                    About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

                    Verified Reviewer

                    Pros

                    • Easily Interchangeable
                    • Strong Construction

                    Cons

                      Best Uses

                      • General Use
                      • Portraits

                      Comments about Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens for Canon Digital EOS:

                      I was looking for a lens with a better focal lenght range than the kit 18-55 lens. I found this one to be perfect, because of the focal lenght, the OS, the HSM and the reasonable price for the features.

                      It is a good lens, but I didn't give it full mark because sometimes the images seem not to be in perfect focus and perfectly sharp. I thought that the quality under that point of view would have been better.
                      It makes a high pitched noise (probably because of the OS, but you can hear it even if you turn it off), but I don't find it annoying.

                      The HSM is quiet and fast.

                      Share this review

                      (2 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

                       
                      5.0

                      good walk-around focal length

                      By Positiver

                      from Kazakhstan

                      About Me Casual user

                      Verified Reviewer

                      Pros

                      • Easily Interchangeable
                      • Lightweight
                      • Sharp Focus

                      Cons

                        Best Uses

                        • General Use
                        • Portraits

                        Comments about Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens for Canon Digital EOS:

                        Has bought this lens and at once has left with it for holiday. All pictures did only by this objective. I have received huge quantity of excellent portraits, landscapes and stages of the wild nature

                        Share this review

                        (3 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

                         
                        3.0

                        Not what I expected

                        By azino

                        from new york

                        About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

                        Pros

                        • Easily Interchangeable
                        • Image stabilization
                        • Strong Construction

                        Cons

                        • Heavy
                        • Image Quality

                        Best Uses

                        • Back-Up
                        • Night Photography
                        • Upgrade

                        Comments about Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens for Canon Digital EOS:

                        I was anticipating the release of this lens for months. Finally a lens that has a decent amount of reach, while being able to back off to 18mm for landscapes. The focal length is probably the best part of this lens, its the perfect walk-around focal length. I thought its image quality would also be great and the IS and HSM would make this lens unbeatable. I was wrong

                        To test it out I tripoded my XTi and switched between my 18-55 non IS kit lens and this sigma, the kit lens outperfomed the sigma at all focal lengths I shot at up to 55mm. The IS really does work good but it makes an annoying high pitched ringing noise.
                        The image quality really wasnt up to my standards, and this lens isnt worth 400 dollars in my opinion. I did have a few good shots, but i prefer the kit lens over this lens

                        Share this review

                        (4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

                         
                        5.0

                        Terrific walk-around lens

                        By The Beard of Shoreline

                        from Seattle, WA

                        About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

                        Verified Buyer

                        Pros

                        • Lightweight
                        • Sharp Focus
                        • Strong Construction

                        Cons

                          Best Uses

                          • General Use
                          • Portraits

                          Comments about Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens for Canon Digital EOS:

                          Great range, sharp lens. Stabilization works great. Took it on vacation right after getting it and ended up using it about 80% of the time. Used it with a Canon 40D.

                          Share this review

                          (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                           
                          3.0

                          Error 99 on Rebel XTi

                          By Green Hiker

                          from Phoenix, AZ

                          About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

                          Pros

                          • Durable
                          • Easily Interchangeable
                          • Rugged
                          • Sharp Focus
                          • Strong Construction

                          Cons

                            Best Uses

                            • General Use

                            Comments about Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens for Canon Digital EOS:

                            I like everything about this lense, except I was getting intermittent Error 99 Impossible to take the picture..............turn the camera off and back on messages when used with my Rebel XTi. I do not get this error with any other of my lenses. Sigma says maybe this particular lense is bad. I chose to return for a refund until I can find out more about the situation. I do not know all the conditions that cause this to happen, but I could force it with F6.3 at 160 shutter speed at ISO 400. Time will tell if I try again.[...]

                            Share this review

                            (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

                             
                            4.0

                            Great Lens, slightly noisy

                            By Highlander

                            from Utha

                            About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

                            Verified Buyer

                            Pros

                            • Easily Interchangeable
                            • Easy To Clean
                            • Lightweight
                            • Sharp Focus

                            Cons

                            • Noisy Rattle Grinding

                            Best Uses

                            • General Use

                            Comments about Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens for Canon Digital EOS:

                            This lens takes great photos. The only two issues I have noticed is that the lens makes a constant faint grinding noise, that is presumably the OS. It stops after about a minute, but then starts again when you wake-up the camera by pushing the shutter release half-way. I've also noticed a slight rattle when walking with the lens and camera around by neck. It's not loose on the body. It is something internal. Perhaps all normal. Perhaps manufacturing defects on a first release. Wonderful quality photos nevertheless.

                            Share this review

                            (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

                             
                            5.0

                            Surprisingly sharp

                            By Doug

                            from Texas

                            About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

                            Verified Buyer

                            Pros

                            • Durable
                            • Good reach for walkaround
                            • Rugged
                            • Sharp Focus
                            • Strong Construction

                            Cons

                              Best Uses

                              • General Use
                              • Portraits
                              • Vacation

                              Comments about Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens for Canon Digital EOS:

                              Nice feel about it. Solid. The HSM keeps it nice and quiet. A very nice range. I sold my Tamron 17-50 because I needed more reach. This lens has produced more keepers than the Tamron lens would. Probally because of the OS and the extra reach.

                              Share this review

                              Displaying reviews 1-20

                              Back to top

                              Previous | Next »

                              Filters & Filter Kits

                              Hoya -  67mm Ultraviolet UV(0) Haze Multicoated Filter
                              • Price: $32.85
                              • GBP 20.76
                               
                              Hoya -  67mm Circular Polarizer Glass Filter
                              • Price: $34.95
                              • GBP 22.09
                               

                              Hoods & Covers

                              Flex Lens Shade -  Flex Lens Shade
                              • Price: $39.95
                              • GBP 25.25
                               

                              Cases & Wraps

                              Pearstone -  Onyx 40 Lens Case
                              • Price: $9.79
                              • GBP 6.19
                               
                              View all Accessories

                              What's in the Box

                              Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens for Canon Digital EOS
                              • Front & Rear Lens Caps
                              • Lens Hood
                              • 3-Year USA Warranty
                               
                               
                              See any errors on this page? Let us know.

                              Close

                              Close