The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sigma 500mm f5.6 DG DN and the Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport 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 500mm f5.6 DG DN with a length of 236mm, is 144mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport also has a larger diameter of 145mm compared to the Sigma 500mm f5.6 DG DN's 108mm 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 500mm f5.6 DG DN weighs 1365g, which means it is 1945g (58%) lighter than the Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport which has a weight of 3310g.
Filter Threads
The Sigma 500mm f5.6 DG DN has a filter size of 95mm whereas the Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport has a 46mm diameter. Larger filters are generally more expensive than the smaller ones given all the other features are equal.
Below are links to the 95mm filters that we recommend you to consider for the Sigma 500mm f5.6 DG DN:
And these are the 46mm filters that we recommend for the Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport:
Lens Mounts
The Sigma 500mm f5.6 DG DN has the Sony E lens mount whereas the Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport has the Nikon F (FX) lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with these mounts are Sony FX5, Sony A7R VI and Sony A7 V for the Sony E Mount and Nikon D6, Nikon D780 and Nikon D3500 for the Nikon F (FX) Mount.
Sigma 500mm f5.6 DG DN is also available in the Leica L mount.
Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport is also available in Sigma SA and Canon EF mounts.
Focal Range
Both lenses have the same focal range of
500mm but while Sigma 500mm f5.6 DG DN has the fastest aperture of
F5.6, the Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport's widest aperture value is
F4.
