The OS suffix on this lens stands for Optical Stabilisation, which features a pair of sensors that compensate for camera shake and automatic detection of camera movement when panning. The lens also features one Super Low Dispersion (SLD) and three aspherical elements, as well as a super multi-layer coating to reduce internal reflections and flare.

The lens grouping consists of an impressive 18 elements in 13 groups, all of which substantially contribute to the overall weight of the objective. Its outstanding characteristic is the Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM), which performs marginally faster and quieter than the more expensive Nikon alternative. It’s a well-built optic with a solid feel and robust grips.

Image Quality
The lens offers the highest resolution of any in this category, and while the 18mm curve is very convex, it’s still a high resolution. Similarly at 200mm, the lens shows it’s possible to get decent resolution from a superzoom. Fringing lets it down, though, with an average performance across the range. Still, for a superzoom lens, this is a consistent performer.