Agile LeVin.com Center and Edge Resolution tests of the Sigma 10-20mm f4.5-5.6 DC EX Lens

Here are tests images that show the resolution capabilities of the Sigma 10-20mm f4.5-5.6 DC EX lens. These samples are center and left edge 100% crops from the 10MP Nikon D200 (which has an APS-C sized sensor), and is equivalent to looking at prints greater than 3 feet wide.

These test images only reflect resolution; other lens shortcomings such as light falloff, chromatic aberrations, field curvature and flare and ghosting are not considered here.

This lens has excellent resolution considering the focal length and price of this lens. The lens approaches the resolution limit of the 10MP D200 in the center in the f5.6-11 range at all focal lengths. As is common for most super wide angle lenses, the edges are a little softer and tend to perform best around f8-11.

Resolution is not the shortcoming with this lens. My biggest complaints are the complex distortions at the wide end of the zoom range and the tendency to flare when the sun is in the frame. Both problems are minor in the actual real world use of this lens.

The bottom row has 100% center crops from the Nikon 50mm f1.8 AF-D taken at f4. The Nikon 50mm f1.8 AF-D at f4 out resolves the 10 MP D200 sensor and the samples are only for comparison purposes. Ignore any slight differences in exposure or white balance.