08-15-2011, 07:33 AM
[quote name='thxbb12' timestamp='1313350595' post='10746']
Purely from an IQ point of view, the best standard zoom lens in the range you're talking about, among all brands, is the Olympus 12-60.
However, I'm surprised you didn't even consider Pentax as an option.
In its class (semi-pro), the Pentax K5 is the smallest DSLR on the market. Combined with the Pentax 17-70 f/4 you have a terrific combo, in a very small package!
The 17-70 f/4 has the advantage of being a constant zoom (by opposition to the zooms in your list). It's also one of the lightest one.
[/quote]
Not sure how that is an advantage. The Sigma f2.8-4 is a stop faster at wide angle. That seems to be an advantage over the Pentax. And when you set it to f4, it is as constant as the Pentax!
[quote name='thxbb12' timestamp='1313350595' post='10746']
Finally, in terms of pseudo-macro capability given its magnification ratio of 1:3.2 it's also the closest focusing one.
[/quote]
Not so. As I showed above, the Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4 DC OS HSM is the closest focussing one (1:2.7). It has the added advantage of optical image stabilization which gives a stabilized view in the OVF and is more efficient than the in-body IS from Pentax.
K5 is a nice camera, though.
Purely from an IQ point of view, the best standard zoom lens in the range you're talking about, among all brands, is the Olympus 12-60.
However, I'm surprised you didn't even consider Pentax as an option.
In its class (semi-pro), the Pentax K5 is the smallest DSLR on the market. Combined with the Pentax 17-70 f/4 you have a terrific combo, in a very small package!
The 17-70 f/4 has the advantage of being a constant zoom (by opposition to the zooms in your list). It's also one of the lightest one.
[/quote]
Not sure how that is an advantage. The Sigma f2.8-4 is a stop faster at wide angle. That seems to be an advantage over the Pentax. And when you set it to f4, it is as constant as the Pentax!
[quote name='thxbb12' timestamp='1313350595' post='10746']
Finally, in terms of pseudo-macro capability given its magnification ratio of 1:3.2 it's also the closest focusing one.
[/quote]
Not so. As I showed above, the Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4 DC OS HSM is the closest focussing one (1:2.7). It has the added advantage of optical image stabilization which gives a stabilized view in the OVF and is more efficient than the in-body IS from Pentax.
K5 is a nice camera, though.