Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG is a Fixed aperture Auto Focus (AF)
Super Telephoto Zoom lens with 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with Canon EF mount cameras.
What type of photography is the Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG lens good for?
The type of photography that you are planning to use the Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:
| Photography Type |
Suitability |
| Bird/Wildlife | Very Good |
| Sports | Very Good |
| Portrait | Fair |
| Travel | Poor |
| Street | Poor |
| Wedding | Fair |
| Walk Around | Fair |
| Vlogging | Poor |
| Landscape | Fair |
| Macro | Poor |
Reasons to Buy Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG Lens
Here, we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.
| Autofocus |
| Hood supplied |
| Tripod Collar |
| Full-time Manual Focusing |
| Power Zoom |
| Fast Aperture at Wide end |
| Fast Aperture at Tele end |
| Constant f2.8 aperture throughout the range |
| Covers Full-Frame Sensor |
| 9 Diaphragm Blades |
| 500mm reach great for Wildlife Photography |
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| Lens Extents while zooming |
| Heavy |
| Pricey |
Lens Mount
Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG is compatible with cameras that have 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.
Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG is also available in Sigma SA and Nikon F (FX) mounts.
Size, Weight and Filter Thread
Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG has a maximum diameter of 237mm and total length of 726mm. It weighs 15700g / 553.8 oz.
Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG has a filter thread of 72mm.
Focal Range
Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG has a focal range of 200-500mm and 2.5X zoom ratio. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 320 - 800mm.
Tripod Collar
With a total length of 726mm and a weight of 15700g, the Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG is a large lens. Fortunately, it comes with a tripod collar which you can use to attach the lens directly to a tripod or monopod instead of attaching the camera. This connection helps to better balance the lens/kit combination.
Optical Image Stabilization
Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG doesn't have an optical image stabilization system so the only option to stabilize the image taken with this lens is to mount on a camera body with IBIS (sensor based In-body image stabilization).
Alternatively, you can check the Canon 200-400mm f4L IS USM Ext 1.4x in Canon EF mount that have similar focal range but features Optical Image Stabilization.
Lenses Similar to Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG With Optical Image Stabilization
Power Zoom
Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG has a Power Zoom feature which consists of a rocker switch and a internal zoom motor where you can change the focal length of the lens by pushing this switch. This method of zoom is smoother and generates less shake than zooming in and out using your hand, especially beneficial while recording video.
Maximum Magnification Ratio
Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.13x and has a minimum focusing distance of 5m. 0.13x means that the max magnification ratio is very low and not suitable even for modest close-up shots.
Aperture
Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG is a fixed aperture lens with a constant max aperture of f2.8 from 200mm all the way to the 500mm .
| Focal Length |
Max Aperture |
Min Aperture |
|
200mm
|
F2.8 |
F22 |
|
500mm
|
F2.8 |
F22 |
Optical Formula
Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG's optical formula consists of 17 elements in 13 groups . Following special elements are used in this design:
- 1 SLD glass element
- 3 ELD glass elements
Lens Hood
Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos.
Popular Comparisons of Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG
Here is the eight most popular comparisons of Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG amongst Camera Decision readers.