Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef vs Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

differences

Reasons to consider the Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef

Significantly more zoom

10x

2.5x more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos

Better telephoto

500 mm

400 mm

Around 30% more reach, less perspective distortion

Better wide angle

50 mm

100 mm

2x better wide angle

More magnification

1:3.1 (0.3x)

1:5 (0.2x)

Take macro shots with subjects more than 60% larger in your photo

Learn more about
the Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef

Reasons to consider the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

Better image stabilization

Canon IS

Sigma OS

Less risk of blur

Lighter

1.4 kg

2 kg

Around 30% lighter

Learn more about
the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

Excellent telephoto

50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef:	500 mm
100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM:	400 mm

Silent focus motor

50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef:	Sigma HSM
100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM:	Canon USM

Good image stabilization

50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef:	Sigma OS
100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM:	Canon IS

	Very narrow widest aperture size
	f/4.5

	Both are zoom lenses
	Typically not as sharp as prime lenses

	Both are variable aperture lenses
	Narrower aperture at longer focal lengths

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

Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM

Wildlife lens

$1,798

Doesn't have image stabilization

Compare the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM vs the 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef

Compare the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

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

Wildlife lens

$1,499

Has a higher max f/stop

Is shorter

Lacks a silent focus motor

Compare the Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED vs the 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef

Compare the Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

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

Wildlife lens

$1,019

Has a slightly narrower wide angle lens

Compare the 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef vs the 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef

Compare the 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

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

Wildlife lens

$899

Has a slightly narrower wide angle lens

Compare the 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef vs the 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef

Compare the 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

Canon 400mm f/5.6L USM

Wildlife lens

$1,219

Has a higher max f/stop

Is a fixed focal length prime lens

Has a much narrower wide angle lens

Has a narrower aperture

Compare the 400mm f/5.6L USM vs the 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef

Compare the 400mm f/5.6L USM vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

Wildlife lens

$299

Is slightly less expensive

Is lighter

Has a slightly longer telephoto lens

Lacks a silent focus motor

Compare the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS vs the 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef

Compare the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

Canon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM

Travel lens

$2,529

Has a wider aperture

Has a higher max f/stop

Has a slightly longer telephoto lens

Compare the 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM vs the 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef

Compare the 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

Sports lens

$1,289

Has a consant aperture

Significantly wider aperture

Much less zoom

Much worse telephoto

Compare the 70-200mm f/2.8L USM vs the 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef

Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Canon-ef

Travel lens

$279

Significantly shorter

Significantly more zoom

Doesn't have a silent focus motor

No image stabilization

Compare the 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Canon-ef vs the 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

Sports lens

$1,899

Has a consant aperture

Significantly wider aperture

Significantly worse telephoto

Less zoom

Compare the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM

Wildlife lens

$1,399

Wider aperture

Slightly better wide angle

Worse telephoto

Compare the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

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.

“LensHero will help you cut through the sheer number of lenses out there to find the few you want to read more about” - LifeHacker	“Finding the right lens on Lenshero is incredibly easy!” - Revell Photography
“I am in love with LensHero.” - Shoot from the Belly	“Kind of a little bit in love with LensHero” - @alicetragedy
“No technical stuff whatsoever, just plain and simple questions complete with examples so that any user can understand” - Karel Donk, Photographer	“I love that I can pull up different lenses in my price range that will fit my DSLR.” - Jennifer Sutton

Sigma
50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef
vs
Canon
100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

differences

Reasons to consider the Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef

Reasons to consider the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM