This all-in-one super lens with 18.8x zoom just got faster autofocus for free, but photographers shouldn't get too excited

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All-in-one super zooms, also known as workhorse lenses , give photographers incredible versatility from a single lens. The Sigma 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS | C is a prime example. Designed for APS-C mirrorless cameras , it offers an impressive 18.8x zoom range, covering everything from wide-angle to telephoto without changing lenses.

Now, Sigma has released a new firmware update for the superzoom, improving AF (autofocus) operation speed, tweaking peripheral illumination correction, and fixing occasional blackout/freesing issue when used with the Canon EOS R6 Mark III.

The latter hints at why photographers shouldn't get too excited. While the 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS | C is available for Canon RF, Fujifilm X, Sony E and L-mount, the firmware update is only for the Canon RF version.

Firmware overview

Ver.1.0.1
Download link Windows
Download link Mac OS

Improvements
•Fixed an isolated issue where the monitor blacks out and the camera freezes during shooting when used with the Canon EOS R6 Mark III
•Improved autofocus (AF) operation speed
•Optimized peripheral illumination correction data to improve correction accuracy

Pro Advice

If you caught Episode 4 of Bokeh Face: Digital Camera World podcast , above, we discussed the best time to install firmware updates, why they matter, and what issues they can cause. It's a helpful listen if you're unsure when – or whenever – you should update.

It's smart to wait a week or two after release to see if any users hit snags. In the past, brands have had a few hiccups with major updates – for instance, introducing memory-setting bugs or minor interface glitches before being reissued.

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