The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport 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. Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport is the longer of the two lenses at 380mm. The Canon 400mm f4.0 DO IS USM with a length of 233mm, is 147mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport also has a larger diameter of 145mm compared to the Canon 400mm f4.0 DO IS USM's 128mm 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, 41% (1370g) lighter than the Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport's weight of 3310g.
Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the Telephoto Prime Lenses in Canon EF Mount for size comparison purposes.
Super Telephoto Lenses in Canon EF Mount for Size Comparison
Filter Threads
The Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport 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 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport:
And these are the 52mm filters that we recommend for the Canon 400mm f4.0 DO IS USM:
Lens Mounts
Both the Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport 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 Canon 1D X III, Canon 6D MII and Canon 5D MIV.
Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport is also available in Sigma SA and Nikon F (FX) mounts.
Focal Range
Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 500mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of
800mm.
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.