Your general purpose lens selection short list just got one lens longer. The Sigma 24-105mm f/4.0 DG OS HSM Art Lens, featuring great image quality, excellent build quality and optical stabilization, definitely deserves your consideration.

I bought the Sigma 24-105 Art to use with my 5D Mark II based on many stellar reviews. So, when I got it I immediately did test shots (comparing to my EF 28-135) and discovered that generally the images were not up to the quality of my Canon EF 28-135 with the exception of contrast.

Strong Construction

Blurry Focus; Heavy

SUPER SHARP. Using on a D7100 and D500. Perfect focal range for family photos, portraits, groups, etc. Great "walk around" focal length. LOVE this lens. Very solidly built like the other ART lenses. It's heavy, just shy of 2 pounds. Smooth stiff zoom ring, doesn't float. Really fine quality optics.

Good walkabout lens for daytime shooting. Minimum focal length a little limiting on DX but results are stunningly sharp with good colour gamut. Very happy with this lens!

Durable; Quick Focus; Sharp Focus; Strong Construction

Heavy

I got this lens for portraits. That might sound daft considering all the rave about primes but when I heard a top portrait photographer say she used the 24-105 when pointing out that you don't need a crazy expensive lens to do beautiful photos, I bought it. And I love it.

The best versatile zoom range

"My 6D body is now very happy! I just bought this lens and used it all weekend in a variety of situations. Up close it took great images with a wonderful blurred background and gorgeous bokeh. At 24 mm it captured the huge rock formations at Hopewell Rocks, NB, with ease.

I was asked to test this lens with some reluctance. I was greatly surprised with the image quality. The lens is so good that I immediately sold my Nikkor 24-70 and purchased the Sigma 24-105.

Consistent Output; Durable; Fast / accurate auto-focus; Strong Construction

Solid build and a great looking lens. The SLR Gear review is right on. Though this Sigma is large and on the heavy side, for what its giving, I'll gladly haul it around. I first tried the Tamron 24-70, another great performer optically, more expensive, but also rather heavy and more limited zoom...

Excellent all around performer; sharp; good contrast; very pleasing build

weight; not weather sealed

Great lens, on time, as described