The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 and the Sigma 300-800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM 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. Sigma 300-800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM is the longer of the two lenses at 544mm. The Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 with a length of 172mm, is 372mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sigma 300-800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM also has a larger diameter of 157mm compared to the Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3's 83mm 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. Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 weighs 985g, which means it is 4895g (83%) lighter than the Sigma 300-800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM which has a weight of 5880g.
Filter Threads
The Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 has a filter size of 72mm whereas the Sigma 300-800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM has a 46mm diameter. Larger filters are generally more expensive than the smaller ones given all the other features are equal.
Below are links to the 72mm filters that we recommend you to consider for the Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3:
And these are the 46mm filters that we recommend for the Sigma 300-800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM:
Lens Mounts
The Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 has the Micro Four Thirds lens mount whereas the Sigma 300-800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM has the Sigma SA lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with these mounts are OM System OM-3 Astro, OM System OM-5 II and OM System OM-3 for the Micro Four Thirds Mount and Sigma Quattro, Sigma Quattro H and Sigma SD1 Merrill for the Sigma SA Mount.
Sigma 300-800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM is also available in Canon EF and Nikon F (FX) mounts.
Focal Range
Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 has a focal range of 100-400mm and
4.0X zoom ratio which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of
200-800mm when used on a FourThirds format camera.
On the other hand, the Sigma 300-800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM has a focal range of 300-800mm and 2.7X zoom ratio .
