Sigma
120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f
 vs
Nikon Nikkor
AF-S 300mm f/4D ED-IF

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f
Significantly better wide angle 120 mm vs 300 mm
Help
 2.5x better wide angle
Wider aperture f/2.8 vs f/4
Help
 At its widest, the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f captures slightly more light, 1 f-stop
More zoom 2.5x vs 1x
Help
 2.5x more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos
Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f Learn more about
the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f

Reasons to consider the Nikon AF-S 300mm f/4D ED-IF
Is a prime lens Yes vs No
Help
 Prime lenses have a single focal length, they are typically sharper and have wider apertures
Lighter 1.4 kg vs 2.6 kg
Help
 Around 50% lighter
Cheaper $1,134.00 vs $2,999.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $1,865 cheaper (2.6x less)
More magnification 1:3.7 (0.3x) vs 1:8.6 (0.1x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects around 2.5x larger in your photo
Shorter 224 mm vs 269 mm
Help
 Around 20% shorter
Slightly smaller diameter 89 mm vs 113 mm
Help
 More than 20% smaller lens at the end
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D ED-IF Learn more about
the Nikon AF-S 300mm f/4D ED-IF

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Focus motor Silent focus motor Help
120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f:Sigma HSM
AF-S 300mm f/4D ED-IF:Nikon AF-S
Wide maximum Wide aperture Help
f/32
Max focal length Good telephoto Help
300 mm
Length Quite long Help
120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f:269 mm
AF-S 300mm f/4D ED-IF:224 mm
Min focal length Poor wide angle Help
120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f:120 mm
AF-S 300mm f/4D ED-IF:300 mm

Compared to wildlife lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses

LensHero is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Zoom range Poor zoom Help
120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f:2.5x
AF-S 300mm f/4D ED-IF:1x

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 G ED-IF VR

Nikon Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 G ED-IF VR

Sports lens
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Min focal length Has a significantly narrower wide angle lens
Focus motor Lacks a silent focus motor
Compare the Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 G ED-IF VR vs the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f
Compare the Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 G ED-IF VR vs the Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D ED-IF
Nikon Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED

Nikon Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED

Wildlife lens

$1,499
Max focal length Has a slightly shorter telephoto lens
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Focus motor Lacks a silent focus motor
Compare the Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED vs the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f
Compare the Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED vs the Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D ED-IF
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

Sports lens

$2,397
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Max focal length Has a slightly longer telephoto lens
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II vs the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II vs the Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D ED-IF
Nikon Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

Nikon Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

Wildlife lens

$587
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Zoom range Has slightly large zoom range
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Fixed aperture Has a variable aperture
Compare the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED vs the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f
Compare the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED vs the Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D ED-IF
Nikon Nikkor AF-S VR 200mm f/2 G IF-ED

Nikon Nikkor AF-S VR 200mm f/2 G IF-ED

Sports lens

$4,599
Aperture Has a wider aperture
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Lowest price Is significantly more expensive
Min focal length Has a slightly narrower wide angle lens
Compare the Nikkor AF-S VR 200mm f/2 G IF-ED vs the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f
Compare the Nikkor AF-S VR 200mm f/2 G IF-ED vs the Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D ED-IF
Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

Wildlife lens

$1,509
Min focal length Has a slightly wider wide angle lens
Max focal length Has a significantly shorter telephoto lens
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Wide maximum Has a lower max f/stop
Compare the 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f vs the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f
Compare the 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f vs the Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D ED-IF
Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Nikon-f

Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Nikon-f

Sports lens

$2,499
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Weight Is heavier
Compare the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Nikon-f vs the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f
Compare the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Nikon-f vs the Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D ED-IF

Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Canon-ef

Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Canon-ef

Sports lens

$2,499
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Lowest price Slightly cheaper
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Canon-ef vs the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f
Nikon Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED

Nikon Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED

Sports lens

$999
Weight Lighter
Lowest price Cheaper
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Wide maximum Significantly wider aperture
Compare the Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED vs the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f
Nikon Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

Nikon Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

Wildlife lens

$150
Weight Significantly lighter
Length Significantly shorter
Fixed aperture Has a variable aperture
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Compare the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G vs the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D ED-IF Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef

Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef

Wildlife lens

$899
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Min focal length Significantly better wide angle
Prime lens Is a zoom lens
Wide maximum Significantly wider aperture
Compare the 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef vs the Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D ED-IF
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

Sports lens

$4,340
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Aperture Wider aperture
Lowest price Significantly more expensive
Weight Heavier
Compare the EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM vs the Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D ED-IF

discussion Which do you think is better?

Speech is free, but discussion at LensHero is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of these lenses here, and discuss feedback for LensHero at our support community.

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