Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f vs 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

differences

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

Much more zoom

10x

3.3x

Around 3x 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

120 mm

2.4x better wide angle

More magnification

1:3.1 (0.3x)

1:4.2 (0.2x)

Take macro shots with subjects around 40% larger in your photo

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

Reasons to consider the Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

Slightly cheaper

$949.00

$1,509.00

The best price we've seen is $560 cheaper (around 40% less)

Slightly lighter

1.7 kg

2 kg

More than 10% lighter

Slightly shorter

204 mm

219 mm

Around 10% shorter

Learn more about
the Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

Excellent telephoto

50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f:	500 mm
120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f:	400 mm

	Silent focus motor
	Silent and fast

	Good image stabilization
	Sigma OS

	Very narrow widest aperture size
	f/4.5

	Both are zoom lenses
	Typically not as sharp as prime lenses

Quite long

50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f:	219 mm
120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f:	204 mm

Heavy

50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f:	2 kg
120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f:	1.7 kg

	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

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

Wildlife lens

$1,499

Has a higher max f/stop

Has better image stabilization

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 Nikon-f

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

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

Wildlife lens

$949

Has a higher max f/stop

Has a significantly narrower wide angle lens

Doesn't have image stabilization

Compare the 200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di LD IF Nikon-f vs the 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

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

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

Wildlife lens

$1,998

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 Nikon-f

Compare the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM vs the 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

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

Wildlife lens

$150

Has a higher max f/stop

Is shorter

Has a slightly longer telephoto lens

Doesn't have image stabilization

Compare the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G vs the 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

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

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

Sports lens

$799

Has a wider aperture

Has a fixed aperture

Has a significantly longer telephoto lens

Doesn't have image stabilization

Compare the 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM Nikon-f vs the 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

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

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

Wildlife lens

$1,019

Has a slightly narrower wide angle lens

Is longer

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

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 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

Wildlife lens

$397

Has better image stabilization

Is shorter

Has a slightly longer telephoto lens

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR vs the 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

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

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

Wildlife lens

$1,019

Slightly cheaper

Much less zoom

Worse wide angle

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 Nikon-f

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f.

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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Sigma
50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f
vs
Sigma
120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

differences

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

Reasons to consider the Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f