Sigma
120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f
 vs
Nikon Nikkor
70-300mm f/4-5.6G

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f
Has a silent focus motor Sigma HSM vs None
Help
 Focuses quickly and silently
Image stabilization Sigma OS vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Better telephoto 400 mm vs 300 mm
Help
 More than 30% more reach, less perspective distortion
Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f Learn more about
the Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

Reasons to consider the Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G
Significantly narrower aperture f/32 vs f/22
Help
 At its narrowest, the 70-300mm f/4-5.6G goes 1.1 f-stops narrower
Lighter 467 g vs 1.7 kg
Help
 3.7x lighter
Shorter 117 mm vs 204 mm
Help
 More than 40% shorter
Wider aperture f/4 vs f/4.5
Help
 At its widest, the 70-300mm f/4-5.6G captures marginally more light, 0.3 f-stops
Better wide angle 70 mm vs 120 mm
Help
 More than 40% better wide angle
Cheaper $149.95 vs $949.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $799 cheaper (6.3x less)
More zoom 4.3x vs 3.3x
Help
 Around 30% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos
Slightly smaller diameter 74 mm vs 93 mm
Help
 More than 20% smaller lens at the end
Nikon Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G Learn more about
the Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Max focal length Good telephoto Help
120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f:400 mm
70-300mm f/4-5.6G:300 mm
Prime lens Both are zoom lenses Help
Typically not as sharp as prime lenses
Aperture Very narrow widest aperture size Help
120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f:f/4.5
70-300mm f/4-5.6G:f/4
Fixed aperture Both are variable aperture lenses Help
Narrower aperture at longer focal lengths

Compared to wildlife lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f:$949.00
70-300mm f/4-5.6G:$149.95

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

competitors

Shared 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
Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR vs the 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G
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
Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Length Is longer
Compare the Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED vs the 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f
Compare the Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G
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 better image stabilization
Compare the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED vs the 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f
Compare the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM Nikon-f

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM Nikon-f

Sports lens

$799
Aperture Has a wider aperture
Fixed aperture Has a fixed aperture
Max focal length Has a slightly longer telephoto lens
Length Is longer
Compare the 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM Nikon-f vs the 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f
Compare the 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G
Nikon Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF

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

Wildlife lens

$120
Compare the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF vs the 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f
Compare the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G
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
Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Zoom range Has much large zoom range
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR vs the 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G
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
Max focal length Has a slightly shorter telephoto lens
Zoom range Has much large zoom range
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Length Is longer
Compare the 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f vs the 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f
Compare the 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Tamron 200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di LD IF Nikon-f

Tamron 200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di LD IF Nikon-f

Wildlife lens

$949
Wide maximum Significantly narrower aperture
Max focal length Better telephoto
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Compare the 200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di LD IF Nikon-f vs the 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f
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 Better telephoto
Length Longer
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f vs the 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f
Nikon Nikkor AF-S VR 200-400mm f/4G IF ED

Nikon Nikkor AF-S VR 200-400mm f/4G IF ED

Wildlife lens

$5,669
Fixed aperture Has a consant aperture
Wide maximum Significantly narrower aperture
Lowest price Significantly more expensive
Length Significantly longer
Compare the Nikkor AF-S VR 200-400mm f/4G IF ED vs the 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

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

Advantages

Disadvantages
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
Wide maximum Significantly wider aperture
Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G
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
Wide maximum Significantly wider aperture
Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G
Nikon Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED

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

Sports lens

$999
Fixed aperture Has a consant aperture
Aperture Wider aperture
Wide maximum Significantly wider aperture
Length Longer
Compare the Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G
Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

Wildlife lens

$247
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Wide maximum Significantly wider aperture
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G

Low light lens

$217
Aperture Much wider aperture
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Max focal length Significantly worse telephoto
Zoom range Less zoom
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

discussion Which do you think is better?

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