Sigma
120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f
 vs
Nikon Nikkor
AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f
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 AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED
Better image stabilization Nikon VR vs Sigma OS
Help
 Less risk of blur
Lighter 0.7 kg vs 1.7 kg
Help
 2.3x lighter
Better wide angle 70 mm vs 120 mm
Help
 More than 40% better wide angle
More zoom 4.3x vs 3.3x
Help
 Around 30% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos
Slightly cheaper $586.95 vs $949.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $362 cheaper (around 40% less)
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
120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f:Sigma HSM
AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED:Nikon AF-S
Image stabilization Good image stabilization Help
120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f:Sigma OS
AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED:Nikon VR
Max focal length Good telephoto Help
120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f:400 mm
AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED:300 mm
Aperture Very narrow widest aperture size Help
f/4.5
Prime lens Both are zoom lenses Help
Typically not as sharp as prime lenses
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
AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED:$586.95

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
Length Is shorter
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 AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED
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
Wide maximum Has a higher max f/stop
Focus motor Lacks a silent focus motor
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 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
Aperture Has a wider aperture
Length Is shorter
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 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
Aperture Has a wider aperture
Max focal length Has a slightly longer telephoto lens
Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II vs the 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO 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
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
Image stabilization Doesn't have image stabilization
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 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
Wide maximum Has a higher max f/stop
Length Is shorter
Image stabilization Doesn't have image stabilization
Focus motor Lacks a silent focus motor
Compare the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G vs the 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO 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
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Nikon-f

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Nikon-f

Sports lens

$1,249
Aperture Has a wider aperture
Fixed aperture Has a fixed aperture
Max focal length Has a slightly longer telephoto lens
Weight Is heavier
Compare the 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS 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 EX DG OS HSM Nikon-f vs the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

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

Advantages

Disadvantages
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

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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