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Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II vs Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS

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Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II

Telephoto Zoom | Sony Alpha

Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II
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Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS

Telephoto Zoom | Sony Alpha

Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS
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Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II vs Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II for the A Mount and the Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS for the A Mount, two Telephoto Zoom lenses from Sony and Sigma. Both lenses have the same focal range of 70-300mm but different max apertures: Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II has a max aperture of F4.5 - F5.6 while the Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS has a max aperture of F4.0 - F5.6.

We will start by looking briefly at the main specs of these two lenses, and in the next section, we will start analyzing them in more detail and listing the pros and cons of each lens.

Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II Key Specs

  • 70-300mm Focal Range
  • F4.5 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 62mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 750g.
  • Diameter: 83mm
  • Length: 136mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 1.2m
  • Max Magnification: 0.25x

Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS Key Specs

  • 70-300mm Focal Range
  • F4.0 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Filter Thread: 58mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 610g.
  • Diameter: 77mm
  • Length: 126mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 1.5m
  • Max Magnification: 0.26x

What type of photography are the Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II and Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II and the Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS
Bird/WildlifeGoodGood
SportsGoodGood
PortraitAverageAverage
TravelFairFair
StreetFairFair
WeddingAverageAverage
Walk AroundAverageAverage
VloggingPoorPoor
LandscapeAverageAverage
MacroAverageAverage

Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II is the longer of the two lenses at 136mm. The Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS with a length of 126mm, is 10mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II also has a larger diameter of 83mm compared to the Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS's 77mm diameter.

The 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 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS weighs 610g, 18% (140g) lighter than the Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II's weight of 750g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the Telephoto Zoom Lenses in Sony Alpha Mount for size comparison purposes.

Telephoto Zoom Lenses in Sony Alpha Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM C Lens Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM C
260mm
105mm 1930g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony 75-300mm F4.5-5.6 Lens Sony 75-300mm F4.5-5.6
122mm
71mm 460g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony DT 55-200mm F4-5.6 SAM Lens Sony DT 55-200mm F4-5.6 SAM
85mm
72mm 305g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD Lens Tamron 150-600mm f5-6.3 VC
258mm
106mm 1951g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
252mm
95mm 1780g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 Lens Tamron 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD G2
258mm
106mm 2010g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron AF 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di LD Macro Lens Tamron AF 70-300mm f4-5.6 LD
117mm
77mm 435g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II Lens Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II
196mm
95mm 1500g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both the Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II and the Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS has the same Sony Alpha lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony Alpha lenses are Sony A99 II, Sony A68 and Sony A77 II.

Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS is also available in Canon EF , Nikon F (FX), Pentax KAF3 and Sigma SA mounts.

Focal Range

Both lenses have the same focal range of 70-300mm but while Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II has the fastest aperture of F4.5 - F5.6, the Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS's widest aperture value is F4.0 - F5.6.

Reasons to choose Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II over Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS

Focus Type Internal Focusing vs Extending front Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Minimum Focus Distance 1.2m vs 1.5m can focus closer to the subject

Reasons to choose Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS over Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II

Image Stabilization Yes vs No Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Max Aperture - Wide 4 vs 4.5 Wider aperture at wide end
Weight 610g vs 750g 140g lighter
Diameter 77mm vs 83mm 6mm smaller in diameter
Length 126mm vs 136mm 10mm shorter
Filter Thread 58mm vs 62mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Max Magnification 0.26x vs 0.25x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II and Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs Yes Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Common Weaknesses of Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II and Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS
Internal Zoom No vs No Length of the lens changes during zooming
Weather Sealing No vs No not safe under rain and dust


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II vs Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Sony Sigma
Lens Type Zoom Zoom
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Telephoto Zoom Telephoto Zoom
Lens Mount Sony Alpha Sony Alpha
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 70-300mm 70-300mm
Image Stabilization No Yes
Colour Black -
Zoom Method Rotary (extending) Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom - -
Zoom Lock - -
Zoom Ratio 4.3X 4.3X
Aperture
Max Aperture F4.5 - F5.6 F4.0 - F5.6
Min Aperture F22.0 - F29.0 F22.0 - F32.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 9 9
Optics
Optical Elements 16 16
Optical Groups 11 11
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 1.2m 1.5m
Max Magnification 0.25X 0.26X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Ultrasonic Micromotor
Full Time Manual No
Focus Method Internal Extending front
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Yes Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 750g 610g
Diameter 83mm 77mm
Length 136mm 126mm
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 62mm 58mm
Filter Notes - rotates on focusing
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code ALC-SH140 -
Tripod Collar No No
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