The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sigma 300mm F2.8 APO EX DG HSM and the Canon 400mm f4.0 DO IS 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 400mm f4.0 DO IS USM is the longer of the two lenses at 233mm. The Sigma 300mm F2.8 APO EX DG HSM with a length of 215mm, is 18mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Canon 400mm f4.0 DO IS USM also has a larger diameter of 128mm compared to the Sigma 300mm F2.8 APO EX DG HSM's 119mm 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 400mm f4.0 DO IS USM weighs 1940g, 19% (460g) lighter than the Sigma 300mm F2.8 APO EX DG HSM's weight of 2400g.
Filter Threads
The Sigma 300mm F2.8 APO EX DG HSM has a filter size of 46mm whereas the Canon 400mm f4.0 DO IS USM has a 52mm diameter. Larger filters are generally more expensive than the smaller ones given all the other features are equal.
Below are links to the 46mm filters that we recommend you to consider for the Sigma 300mm F2.8 APO EX DG HSM:
And these are the 52mm filters that we recommend for the Canon 400mm f4.0 DO IS USM:
Lens Mounts
Both the Sigma 300mm F2.8 APO EX DG HSM and the Canon 400mm f4.0 DO IS USM has the same Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon EF lenses are Blackmagic URSA 12K LF, Z CAM E2-F6 II 6K and Z CAM E2-S6 II 6K.
Sigma 300mm F2.8 APO EX DG HSM is also available in the Nikon F (FX) , Pentax KAF, Sony Alpha and Sigma SA mounts.
Focal Range
Sigma 300mm F2.8 APO EX DG HSM is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 300mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of
480mm.
On the other hand, the Canon 400mm f4.0 DO IS USM is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 400mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 640mm.
