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 Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS 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 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport is the longer of the two lenses at 380mm. The Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM with a length of 89mm, is 291mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport also has a larger diameter of 145mm compared to the Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM's 74mm 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 470g, 85% (2840g) lighter than the Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport's weight of 3310g.
Filter Threads
The Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport has a filter size of 46mm whereas the Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM has a 72mm 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 72mm filters that we recommend for the Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM:
Lens Mounts
Both the Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport and the Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM has the same Sigma SA lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sigma SA lenses are Sigma Quattro, Sigma Quattro H and Sigma SD1 Merrill.
Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport is also available in the Nikon F (FX) and Canon EF mounts.
Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM is also available in Canon EF , Nikon F (DX), Pentax KAF3, Sony Alpha, Canon EF, Nikon F (DX), Pentax KAF3, Sony Alpha and Sigma SA mounts.
Focal Range
Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 500mm.
On the other hand, the 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.
