Sony
70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM
 vs
Sigma
50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM
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
Slightly lighter 1.6 kg vs 2 kg
Help
 Around 20% lighter
Slightly shorter 196 mm vs 219 mm
Help
 More than 10% shorter
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 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f
Image stabilization Sigma OS vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Significantly more zoom 10x vs 5.7x
Help
 Around 80% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos
Better telephoto 500 mm vs 400 mm
Help
 Around 30% more reach, less perspective distortion
Slightly cheaper $1,509.00 vs $1,998.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $489 cheaper (more than 20% less)
Slightly more magnification 1:3.1 (0.3x) vs 1:3.7 (0.3x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects around 20% larger in your photo
Slightly better wide angle 50 mm vs 70 mm
Help
 Around 30% better wide angle
Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f Learn more about
the Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Max focal length Excellent telephoto Help
70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM:400 mm
50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f:500 mm
Focus motor Silent focus motor Help
70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM:Sony SSM
50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f:Sigma HSM
Zoom range Great zoom Help
70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM:5.7x
50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f:10x
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
50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f:f/4.5
Length Quite long Help
70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM:196 mm
50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f:219 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
50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f:2 kg

Compared to wildlife lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Min focal length Good wide-angle Help
70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM:70 mm
50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f:50 mm

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
Zoom range Has slightly smaller zoom range
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 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 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 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 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
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 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 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
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 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 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 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f
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 significantly longer telephoto lens
Magnification Has worse macro
Compare the 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Nikon-f vs the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM
Compare the 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Nikon-f vs the 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II

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

Wildlife lens

$6,399
Wide maximum Has a higher max f/stop
Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Lowest price Is significantly more expensive
Min focal length Has a significantly narrower wide angle lens
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II vs the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II vs the 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 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 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f Competitors

Advantages

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

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

Wildlife lens

$150
Wide maximum Significantly narrower aperture
Weight Lighter
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Zoom range Significantly less zoom
Compare the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G vs the 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f
Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef

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

Wildlife lens

$1,019
Lowest price Slightly cheaper
Zoom range Much less zoom
Min focal length 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

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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