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Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II vs Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM

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Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II

Telephoto Zoom | Sony Alpha

Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II
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Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM

Telephoto Zoom | Sony Alpha

Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
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Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II vs Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II for the A Mount and the Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM for the A Mount, two Telephoto Zoom lenses from Sony and Sigma.

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 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II Key Specs

  • 70-400mm Focal Range
  • F4.0 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 77mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 1500g.
  • Diameter: 95mm
  • Length: 196mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 1.5m
  • Max Magnification: 0.27x

Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Key Specs

  • 150-500mm Focal Range
  • F5.0 - F6.3 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Filter Thread: 86mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 1780g.
  • Diameter: 95mm
  • Length: 252mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 2.2m
  • Max Magnification: 0.19x

What type of photography are the Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II and Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II and the Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
Bird/WildlifeVery GoodVery Good
SportsVery GoodVery Good
PortraitFairFair
TravelPoorPoor
StreetPoorPoor
WeddingFairFair
Walk AroundFairFair
VloggingPoorPoor
LandscapeFairFair
MacroAveragePoor

Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM is the longer of the two lenses at 252mm. The Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II with a length of 196mm, is 56mm shorter. On the other hand, there is no difference between the max diameters of these lenses, both coming at 95mm.

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. Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II weighs 1500g, which means it is 280g (15%) lighter than the Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM which has a weight of 1780g.


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 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II Lens Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II
136mm
83mm 750g 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
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
Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS Lens Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS
126mm
77mm 610g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both the Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II and the Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM 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 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM is also available in Canon EF , Nikon F (FX), Pentax KAF3 and Sigma SA mounts.

Focal Range

Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II has a focal range of 70-400mm and 5.7X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 105 - 600mm.
Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM has a focal range of 150-500mm and 3.3X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 225 - 750mm.

Reasons to choose Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II over Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM

Focal Length - Wide 70mm vs 150mm 80mm Wider coverage
Optical Zoom 5.70x vs 3.30x More flexible focal coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 4 vs 5 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 5.6 vs 6.3 Wider aperture at tele end
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs No Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Weight 1500g vs 1780g 280g lighter
Length 196mm vs 252mm 56mm shorter
Filter Thread 77mm vs 86mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 1.5m vs 2.2m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.27x vs 0.19x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM over Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II

Focal Length - Tele 500mm vs 400mm 100mm more Tele coverage
Image Stabilization Yes vs No Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh

Common Strengths of Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II and Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Common Weaknesses of Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II and Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
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 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II vs Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM 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 70-400mm 150-500mm
Image Stabilization No Yes
Colour - -
Zoom Method Rotary (extending) Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom - -
Zoom Lock - -
Zoom Ratio 5.7X 3.3X
Aperture
Max Aperture F4.0 - F5.6 F5.0 - F6.3
Min Aperture F22.0 - F28.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades - 9
Optics
Optical Elements 18 21
Optical Groups 12 15
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 1.5m 2.2m
Max Magnification 0.27X 0.19X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Ultrasonic Ring-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual Yes Yes
Focus Method Internal Rear
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Yes No
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 1500g 1780g
Diameter 95mm 95mm
Length 196mm 252mm
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 77mm 86mm
Filter Notes - Does not rotate on focusing
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Tripod Collar Yes Yes
Optional Accessories - 1.4x EX DG APO Tele Converter 2x EX DG APO Tele Converter
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