The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM and the Nikon 80-400mm f4.5-5.6G ED VR 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. Nikon 80-400mm f4.5-5.6G ED VR is the longer of the two lenses at 203mm. The Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM with a length of 101mm, is 102mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Nikon 80-400mm f4.5-5.6G ED VR also has a larger diameter of 96mm compared to the Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM's 79mm 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. Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM weighs 628g, which means it is 942g (60%) lighter than the Nikon 80-400mm f4.5-5.6G ED VR which has a weight of 1570g.
Filter Threads
The Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM has a filter size of 72mm whereas the Nikon 80-400mm f4.5-5.6G ED VR has a 77mm 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 Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM:
And these are the 77mm filters that we recommend for the Nikon 80-400mm f4.5-5.6G ED VR:
Lens Mounts
The Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM has the Nikon F (DX) lens mount whereas the Nikon 80-400mm f4.5-5.6G ED VR has the Nikon F (FX) lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with these mounts are Nikon D3500, Nikon D7500 and Nikon D5600 for the Nikon F (DX) Mount and Nikon D6, Nikon D780 and Nikon D3500 for the Nikon F (FX) Mount.
Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM is also available in the Canon EF , Nikon F (DX), Pentax KAF3, Sony Alpha, Sigma SA, Canon EF, Pentax KAF3, Sony Alpha and Sigma SA mounts.
Focal Range
Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM has a focal range of 18-250mm and
13.9X zoom ratio which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of
27-375mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.
On the other hand, the Nikon 80-400mm f4.5-5.6G ED VR has a focal range of 80-400mm and 5.0X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 120 - 600mm.
