The Ultimate Travel Zoom Lens That Actually Delivers Sharp Images

The Sigma 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS Contemporary lens promises to replace multiple lenses in your camera bag with a single ultra-versatile zoom. When you can capture everything from wide landscapes at 24mm equivalent to distant wildlife at 450mm equivalent, the question becomes whether image quality holds up across such an extreme range.

Coming to you from Michael Sladek Photography, this thoughtful video puts Sigma 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS Contemporary lens through real-world testing over several weeks. Sladek compares the Sigma directly against his usual two-lens setup: the Fujifilm 16-80mm f/4 and 70-300mm f/4-5.6, which together cost about $1,600 compared to the Sigma's $769 price tag. The video demonstrates the lens' flexibility by showing the same scene captured at focal lengths from 17mm all the way to 300mm, revealing just how dramatically your composition options change. You'll see examples of wildlife photography, macro work, and landscape shots that showcase the lens' optical performance across its zoom range.

The Contemporary series designation means you're getting excellent optics in a thermally stable composite body rather than metal construction. While this saves weight and cost, you sacrifice some weather-sealing compared to Sigma's Art or Sports lines. The variable aperture starts at f/3.5 at 16mm but closes down to f/6.7 at 300mm, with most of that change happening by 180mm where it reaches f/6.7 and stays there. Sladek tests autofocus performance with birds in flight and finds it matches his Fujifilm lenses for speed and accuracy. The lens focuses remarkably close at 300mm, offering impressive magnification for macro-style shots.

Key Specs

• Focal Length: 16-300mm (24-450mm full frame equivalent)
• Aperture: f/3.5-6.7 variable, f/22-45 minimum
• Weight: 21.7 oz (615 g)
• Filter Size: 67mm
• Minimum Focus: 6.7" at wide end, 41.3" at telephoto
• Construction: 20 elements in 14 groups
• Image Stabilization: Yes

The most compelling aspect isn't just the convenience factor. Sladek's side-by-side image quality comparison at 300mm between the Sigma and Fujifilm 70-300mm reveals virtually identical results when viewed at normal print sizes. This means you're not making significant optical compromises for the convenience of carrying one lens instead of two. The lens works across multiple camera systems including Sony E-mount, Canon RF, Fujifilm X-mount, and L-mount (all APS-C), making it accessible regardless of your camera choice. For travel photography or situations where you want maximum flexibility without the bulk of multiple lenses, this becomes an interesting proposition. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Sladek.