Sigma
120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f
 vs
Nikon Nikkor
AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f
Has a consant aperture Yes vs No
Help
 Constant aperture lenses offer the same aperture at all focal lengths
Significantly wider aperture f/2.8 vs f/4.5
Help
 At its widest, the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f captures slightly more light, 1.4 f-stops
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 VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED
Image stabilization Nikon VR vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Significantly lighter 0.7 kg vs 2.6 kg
Help
 3.5x lighter
Cheaper $586.95 vs $2,999.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $2,412 cheaper (5.1x less)
More zoom 4.3x vs 2.5x
Help
 More than 70% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos
More magnification 1:4 (0.2x) vs 1:8.6 (0.1x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects more than 2x larger in your photo
Better wide angle 70 mm vs 120 mm
Help
 More than 40% better wide angle
Nikon Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED Learn more about
the Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

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 VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED:Nikon AF-S
Max focal length Good telephoto Help
300 mm
Prime lens Both are zoom lenses Help
Typically not as sharp as prime lenses

Compared to wildlife lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses

LensHero is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.

LensHero is not aware of any interesting weaknesses shared by these two products.

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
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
Length Is shorter
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 VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED
Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

Travel lens

$847
Min focal length Has a slightly wider wide angle lens
Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Max focal length Has a slightly longer telephoto lens
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II vs the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f
Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II vs the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED
Nikon Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

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

Wildlife lens

$150
Length Is shorter
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Focus motor Lacks 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
Compare the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G vs the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED
Nikon Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED

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

Sports lens

$999
Length Is shorter
Max focal length Has a slightly longer telephoto lens
Wide maximum Has a lower max f/stop
Compare the Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED vs the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f
Compare the Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED vs the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED
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 better image stabilization
Length Is shorter
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 VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED
Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

Wildlife lens

$1,019
Max focal length Has a significantly shorter telephoto lens
Min focal length Has a slightly narrower wide angle lens
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the 150-500mm f/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 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f vs the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

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-S VR 200mm f/2 G IF-ED

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

Sports lens

$4,599
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Prime lens Is a prime lens
Min focal length Worse wide angle
Max focal length Worse telephoto
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
Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO

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

Wildlife lens

$1,509
Zoom range Much more zoom
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Fixed aperture Has a variable aperture
Aperture Significantly narrower aperture
Compare the 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO vs the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f

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

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

Wildlife lens

$397
Zoom range More zoom
Min focal length Slightly better wide angle
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR vs the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED
Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Nikon-f

Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Nikon-f

Wildlife lens

$449
Aperture Wider aperture
Image stabilization Worse image stabilization
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Compare the SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Nikon-f vs the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Nikon-f

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Nikon-f

Macro lens

$199
Magnification More magnification
Aperture Wider aperture
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Nikon-f vs the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED
Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Nikon-f

Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Nikon-f

Macro lens

$199
Magnification More magnification
Aperture Wider aperture
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Nikon-f vs the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

Travel lens

$1,047
Zoom range Much more zoom
Aperture Wider aperture
Lowest price Slightly more expensive
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR vs the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

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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