The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Tamron AF 28-300mm f3.5-6.3 XR LD and the Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG 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 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM is the longer of the two lenses at 219mm. The Tamron AF 28-300mm f3.5-6.3 XR LD with a length of 84mm, is 135mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM also has a larger diameter of 104mm compared to the Tamron AF 28-300mm f3.5-6.3 XR LD's 73mm 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. Tamron AF 28-300mm f3.5-6.3 XR LD weighs 420g, which means it is 1550g (78%) lighter than the Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM which has a weight of 1970g.
Filter Threads
The Tamron AF 28-300mm f3.5-6.3 XR LD has a filter size of 62mm whereas the Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM has a 95mm diameter. Larger filters are generally more expensive than the smaller ones given all the other features are equal.
Below are links to the 62mm filters that we recommend you to consider for the Tamron AF 28-300mm f3.5-6.3 XR LD:
And these are the 95mm filters that we recommend for the Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM:
Lens Mounts
Both the Tamron AF 28-300mm f3.5-6.3 XR LD and the Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM has the same Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon EF lenses are Canon 1D X III, Canon 6D MII and Canon 5D MIV.
Tamron AF 28-300mm f3.5-6.3 XR LD is also available in Nikon F (FX) , Sony Alpha and Pentax KAF mounts.
Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM is also available in Pentax KAF3 , Sony Alpha, Sigma SA and Nikon F (FX) mounts.
Focal Range
Tamron AF 28-300mm f3.5-6.3 XR LD has a focal range of 28-300mm and
10.7X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of
44.8 - 480mm.
On the other hand, the Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM has a focal range of 50-500mm and 10.0X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 80 - 800mm.