Sigma vs. Lumix L-Mount Super Zooms for Travel

Summary

A detailed comparison between the Sigma 20-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC DN Contemporary and the Panasonic Lumix S 28-200mm f/4-7.1 Macro O.I.S. highlights their differing advantages for travel photographers. Although the Lumix is sharper at its widest 28mm, the Sigma significantly outperforms it in center and corner sharpness from 50mm to 200mm. However, the Lumix lens is considerably lighter and smaller, and crucially includes optical image stabilization, which greatly benefits handheld video shooting. Both lenses perform well on chromatic aberrations, though the Lumix showed some ghosting and fringing at 200mm. The Sigma offers a slightly wider maximum aperture at its widest end, but the Lumix maintains a fractional advantage through much of the zoom range before the Sigma becomes superior at longer focal lengths.

Key points

• Sigma 20-200mm offers superior sharpness at telephoto ranges compared to the Lumix 28-200mm.
• Lumix 28-200mm is lighter, smaller, and features optical image stabilization beneficial for video.
• The Lumix lens demonstrates impressive close-focusing capabilities at its wide end.
• Both lenses are suitable for travel, with the choice depending on priorities like sharpness versus portability and stabilization.