great value, they’re unable to offer the same level of optical performance than a more limited-range zoom or a prime lens can, all things being equal. Cor-recting a lens for multiple focal lengths is an engineering challenge, and the greater the range of the lens, the more diffi cult this becomes. Lenses designed with multiple optical elements to cor-rect for chromatic aberration and dis-tortion are necessarily larger, heavier and more costly to produce. While the convenience of all-in-one zooms isn’t without compromise, advances in lens technology continue to improve their performance, and the most common aberrations and distortions are rela-tively easy to address with software.

Current ModelsCanon offers two extreme zoom

lenses, one for their APS-C-sensor cam-eras and one for full-frame systems. The EF-S 18-200mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 IS for APS-C offers an equivalent range of 29-320mm and image stabilization for up to four stops of correction. For full-frame cameras, the EF 28-300mm ƒ/3.5-5.6L IS USM is a premium-quality lens, but that quality comes with added

Sensor Zoom Min. Focusing Dimensions Est. StreetBrand Model Mount(s) Format Range Distance (D x L) (in.) Weight Price

Canon EF-S 18-200mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 IS Canon APS-C 11.1x 17.8 inches 3.1 x 6.4 20.9 oz. $699

Canon EF 28-300mm ƒ/3.5-5.6L IS USM Canon Full-Frame 10.7x 27.6 inches 3.6 x 7.2 59.2 oz. $2,449

Nikon 1 NIKKOR VR 10-100mm ƒ/4-5.6 Nikon 1 CX (1-inch) 10x Variable 2.4 x 2.8 10.5 oz. $549

Nikon 1 NIKKOR VR 10-100mm ƒ/4.5-5.6 PD-ZOOM Nikon 1 CX (1-inch) 10x Variable 3.0 x 3.7 18.2 oz. $749

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm ƒ/3.5-5.6G ED VR II Nikon DX (APS-C ) 11.1x 19.2 inches 3.0 x 3.8 19.8 oz. $649

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm ƒ/3.5-6.3G ED VR Nikon DX (APS-C) 16.7x 19.2 inches 3.0 x 3.8 19.4 oz. $699

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm ƒ/3.5-5.6G ED VR Nikon DX (APS-C) 16.7x Variable 3.3 x 4.7 29.3 oz. $999

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm ƒ/3.5-5.6G ED VR Nikon FX (Full-Frame) 10.7x 19.2 inches 3.3 x 4.5 28.2 oz. $949

Olympus M.Zuiko ED 14-150mm ƒ/4.0-5.6 II Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds 10.7x 19.7 inches 2.5 x 3.3 10.0 oz. $499

Panasonic LUMIX G Vario 14-140mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 POWER O.I.S. Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds 10x Variable 2.6 x 3.0 9.4 oz. $599

Pentax smc DA 18-270mm ƒ/3.5-6.3 ED SDM Pentax K APS-C 15x 19.2 inches 3.0 x 3.5 16 oz. $599

Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM | C Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sigma, Sony APS-C 11.1x 15.4 inches 2.8 x 3.4 15.2 oz. $399

Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS MACRO HSM Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sigma, Sony APS-C 13.9x 13.8 inches 2.9 x 3.5 16.6 oz. $349

Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM | C Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sigma, Sony APS-C 16.7x 15.3 inches 3.1 x 4.0 20.6 oz. $499

Sony E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS LE Sony APS-C 11.1x 19.7 inches 2.7 x 3.8 16.2 oz. $849

Sony E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS Sony APS-C 11.1x Variable 3.0 x 3.9 18.5 oz. $899

Sony E PZ 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS Sony APS-C 11.1x Variable 3.3 x 3.5 22.9 oz. $1,199

Sony FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS Sony Full-Frame 10x Variable 3.2 x 4.8 27.6 oz. $999

Tamron 14-150mm F/3.5-5.8 Di III Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds 10.7x 19.7 inches 2.5 x 3.2 10.1 oz. $459

Tamron 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III VC Canon EF-M, Sony E-Mount APS-C 11.1x 19.7 inches 2.7 x 4.0 16.2 oz. $739

Tamron 16-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Macro Canon, Nikon, Sony APS-C 18.8x 15.3 inches 2.9 x 3.9 19 oz. $549

Tamron 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC Canon, Nikon, Sony APS-C 11.1x Variable 2.9 x 3.8 14.1 oz. $199

Tamron 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di II Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony APS-C 11.1x 17.7 inches 2.9 x 3.3 14 oz. $199

Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Canon, Nikon, Sony APS-C 15x 19.3 inches 2.9 x 3.5 15.9 oz. $449

Tamron 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di VC PZD Canon, Nikon, Sony Full-Frame 10.7x 19.3 inches 2.9 x 3.8 19 oz. $849

Pentax smc DA 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 ED SDM

Panasonic LUMIX G Vario 14-140mm F/3.5-5.6 POWER O.I.S.

outdoorphotographer.com June 2016 65