The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS Macro HSM and the Canon 180mm f3.5L Macro USM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:
Size and Weight Comparison
The size of a lens is a crucial factor to consider when comparing two lenses. Canon 180mm f3.5L Macro USM is the longer of the two lenses at 187mm. The Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS Macro HSM with a length of 150mm, is 37mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Canon 180mm f3.5L Macro USM also has a larger diameter of 83mm compared to the Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS Macro HSM's 80mm diameter.
The weight of a lens is equally significant as its external dimensions, particularly if you intend to handhold your camera and lens combination for extended periods. Canon 180mm f3.5L Macro USM weighs 1090g, 5% (60g) lighter than the Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS Macro HSM's weight of 1150g.
Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the Macro Prime Lenses in Canon EF Mount for size comparison purposes.
Macro Lenses in Canon EF Mount for Size Comparison
Filter Threads
Both the Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS Macro HSM and the Canon 180mm f3.5L Macro USM have the same Filter thread size of 72mm.
Below are links to the 72mm filters that we recommend you to consider for these lenses:
Lens Mounts
Both the Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS Macro HSM and the Canon 180mm f3.5L Macro USM has the same Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon EF lenses are Canon 1D X III, Canon 6D MII and Canon 5D MIV.
Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS Macro HSM is also available in Nikon F (FX) mount.
Focal Range
Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS Macro HSM is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 150mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of
240mm.
On the other hand, the Canon 180mm f3.5L Macro USM is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 180mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 288mm.