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

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM
More zoom 5.7x vs 3.3x
Help
 More than 70% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos
Wider aperture f/4 vs f/4.5
Help
 At its widest, the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM captures marginally more light, 0.3 f-stops
Better wide angle 70 mm vs 120 mm
Help
 More than 40% better wide angle
Slightly more magnification 1:3.7 (0.3x) vs 1:4.2 (0.2x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects more than 10% larger in your photo
Slightly lighter 1.6 kg vs 1.7 kg
Help
 Around 10% lighter
Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM Learn more about
the Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM

Reasons to consider the Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f
Image stabilization Sigma OS vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Cheaper $949.00 vs $1,998.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $1,049 cheaper (2.1x less)
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

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Max focal length Excellent telephoto Help
400 mm
Focus motor Silent focus motor Help
70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM:Sony SSM
120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f:Sigma HSM
Prime lens Both are zoom lenses Help
Typically not as sharp as prime lenses
Aperture Very narrow widest aperture size Help
70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM:f/4
120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f:f/4.5
Length Quite long Help
70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM:196 mm
120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f:204 mm
Fixed aperture Both are variable aperture lenses Help
Narrower aperture at longer focal lengths
Weight Heavy Help
70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM:1.6 kg
120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f:1.7 kg

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
Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

Wildlife lens

$1,499
Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Compare the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM vs the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM
Compare the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM vs the 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f
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
Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Focus motor Lacks a silent focus motor
Compare the Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED vs the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM
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
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 significantly large zoom range
Compare the 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f vs the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM
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
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
Max focal length Has a slightly shorter telephoto lens
Wide maximum Has a higher max f/stop
Min focal length Has a significantly narrower wide angle lens
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the 200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di LD IF Nikon-f vs the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM
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 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 significantly longer telephoto lens
Compare the 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM Nikon-f vs the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM
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

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

Wildlife lens

$1,019
Max focal length Has a slightly 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 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM
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
Tokina AT-X 840 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 D Nikon-f

Tokina AT-X 840 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 D Nikon-f

Wildlife lens

$499
Wide maximum Has a higher max f/stop
Length Is shorter
Focus motor Lacks a silent focus motor
Compare the AT-X 840 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 D Nikon-f vs the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM
Compare the AT-X 840 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 D 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 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G SSM

Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G SSM

Wildlife lens

$998
Wide maximum Significantly narrower aperture
Length Shorter
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G SSM vs the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM
Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di USD Sony-alpha

Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di USD Sony-alpha

Wildlife lens

$449
Weight Lighter
Lowest price Cheaper
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Compare the SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di USD Sony-alpha vs the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM
Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 II EX DC HSM

Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 II EX DC HSM

Sports lens

$749
Fixed aperture Has a consant aperture
Aperture Wider aperture
Max focal length Significantly worse telephoto
Zoom range Less zoom
Compare the 50-150mm f/2.8 II EX DC HSM vs the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM

Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f 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 Better image stabilization
Weight Lighter
Max focal length Worse telephoto
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
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 Better image stabilization
Weight Lighter
Max focal length Worse telephoto
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
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

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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