Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM vs Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f4G ED VR

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Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM

Telephoto Prime | Nikon F (FX)

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Nikon 500mm f4G ED VR

Telephoto Prime | Nikon F (FX)

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Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM vs Nikon 500mm f4G ED VR Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM and Nikon 500mm f4G ED VR, two Telephoto Prime lenses from Sigma and Nikon. Both cameras have the same focal range of 500mm but different max apertures: Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM has a max aperture of F4.5 while the Nikon 500mm f4G ED VR has a max aperture of F4.0.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM Key Specs

500mm Focal Range

F4.5 Max Aperture

Filter Thread: 46mm

Max Format: 35mm FF

Nikon F (FX) Mount

Weight: 3150g.

Diameter: 123mm

Length: 350mm

Min Focus Distance:4m

Max Magnification:0.13x

Nikon 500mm f4G ED VR Key Specs

500mm Focal Range

F4.0 Max Aperture

Image Stabilization

Weather Sealed

Filter Thread: 52mm

Max Format:

Nikon F (FX) Mount

Weight: 3880g.

Diameter: 140mm

Length: 391mm

Min Focus Distance:4m

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Nikon 500mm f4G ED VR is the longer of the two lenses at 391mm. The Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM with a length of 350mm is 41mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Nikon 500mm f4G ED VR also has a larger diameter of 140mm compared to Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM's 123mm diameter.

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM weighs 3150g, which means it is 730g (23%) lighter than the Nikon 500mm f4G ED VR which has a weight of 3880g.

Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the 'Telephoto Prime Lenses in Nikon F (FX) Mount for size comparison purposes.

Telephoto Prime Lenses in Nikon F (FX) Mount for Size Comparison

	Length	Diameter	Weight	Street Price
Nikon 85mm f1.8G	73mm	80mm	350g	Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon 800mm f5.6E FL ED VR	461mm	160mm	4590g	Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon 600mm f4G ED VR	445mm	166mm	5060g	Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon 600mm f4D ED-IF II	455mm	166mm	5900g	Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon 85mm f1.4D	73mm	80mm	550g	Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon 500mm f4D ED-IF II	394mm	140mm	3800g	Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon 300mm f4E PF VR	148mm	89mm	750g	Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S 500mm F5.6E PF ED VR	237mm	61mm	1460g	Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM and Nikon 500mm f4G ED VR has the same Nikon F (FX) lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Nikon F (FX) lenses are Nikon D6, Nikon D780 and Nikon D3500.

Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM is also available in Canon EF , Pentax KAF and Sigma SA mounts.

Focal Range

Reasons to choose Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM over Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f4G ED VR

Weight	3150g vs 3880g	730g lighter
Diameter	123mm vs 140mm	17mm smaller in diameter
Length	350mm vs 391mm	41mm shorter
Filter Thread	46mm vs 52mm	Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Max Magnification	0.13x vs x	higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f4G ED VR over Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM

Image Stabilization	Yes vs No	Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Max Aperture - Wide	4 vs 4.5	Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele	4 vs 4.5	Wider aperture at tele end
Depth-of-Field Scale	Yes vs No	Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Weather Sealing	Yes vs No	safer to use under rain and dust

Common Strengths of Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM and Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f4G ED VR

Internal Focusing	Yes vs Yes	Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Distance Scale	Yes vs Yes	Distance Scale to assist focusing

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Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM vs Nikon 500mm f4G ED VR Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM	Nikon 500mm f4G ED VR
Brand	Sigma	Nikon
Lens Type	Prime	Prime
Price	CHECK PRICE	CHECK PRICE
Lens Type	Telephoto Prime	Telephoto Prime
Lens Mount	Nikon F (FX)	Nikon F (FX)
Max Format	35mm FF	35mm FF
Focal Range	500mm	500mm
Image Stabilization	No	Yes
Colour	Unknown	Black
Zoom Method	No Zoom	Rotary (internal)
Power Zoom	No	No
Zoom Lock	No	No
Zoom Ratio	1.0X	1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture	F4.5	F4.0
Min Aperture	F32.0	F22.0
Aperture Ring	No	No
Diaphragm Blades	9	9
Optics
Optical Elements	11	14
Optical Groups	8	11
Focusing
Min Focus Distance	4m	4m
Max Magnification	0.13X	unknown
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
AF Motor Type	Ring-type ultrasonic	Ultrasonic
Full Time Manual	Yes	Yes
Focus Method	Internal	Internal
Distance Scale	Yes	Yes
DoF Scale	No	Yes
Distance Scale	Yes	Yes
Focus Distance Limiter	Unknown	Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight	3150g	3880g
Diameter	123mm	140mm
Length	350mm	391mm
Materials	Unknown	Magnesium alloy barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing	Unknown	Yes
Filter Thread	46mm	52mm
Filter Notes	46mm drop-in filters	-
Hood Supplied	Yes	Yes
Hood Code	Unknown	HK-34
Tripod Collar	Unknown	Yes
Optional Accessories	-	-
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