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Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Nikon F (FX) Review

Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM

Main Features

  • 50-500mm Focal Range
  • F4.5 - F6.3 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Filter Thread: 95mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Nikon F (FX) Mount
  • Weight: 1970g.
  • Diameter: 104mm
  • Length: 219mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 1.8m
  • Max Magnification: 0.32x
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Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Overview


Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM is a Variable aperture Auto Focus (AF) Super Telephoto Zoom lens with Optical Image stabilization and 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with F(FX) Mount cameras.

What type of photography is the Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM lens good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use the Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Suitability
Bird/WildlifeVery Good
SportsVery Good
PortraitFair
TravelPoor
StreetPoor
WeddingFair
Walk AroundFair
VloggingPoor
LandscapeFair
MacroAverage

Reasons to Buy Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens

Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.

PROs
Optical Image Stabilization
Autofocus
Distance Scale
Hood supplied
Tripod Collar
Full-time Manual Focusing
Zoom Lock
Covers Full-Frame Sensor
Versatile Lens with a Zoom Ratio of 10x
9 Diaphragm Blades
500mm reach great for Wildlife Photography
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Buy Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM from Amazon or B&H PHOTO


CONs
Lens Extents while zooming
Slow Aperture at Wide end
Slow Aperture at Tele end
Variable Aperture
Heavy
Pricey


Lens Mount

Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM is compatible with cameras that have a Nikon F (FX) lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Nikon F (FX) lenses are Nikon D6, Nikon D780 and Nikon D3500.

Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM is also available in Canon EF , Pentax KAF3, Sony Alpha and Sigma SA mounts.

Size, Weight and Filter Thread

Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM has a maximum diameter of 104mm and total length of 219mm when not extended. It weighs 1970g / 69.5 oz.

Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM has a filter thread of 95mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM:

  • 95mm Variable ND Lens Filters
  • 95mm Circular Polarizer Lens Filters
  • 95mm Clear Protection Lens Filters



Focal Range

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 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 75 - 750mm.

Optical Image Stabilization

The Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM features an optical image stabilization system which helps to reduce the blur that occurs due to shaking during hand-held shooting.

Tripod Collar

With a total length of 219mm and a weight of 1970g, the Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM 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.

Zoom Method

Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM features Rotary (extending) zoom method where the length of the lens changes as you zoom in or out. This makes it possible to design the lens with a smaller minimum length ( generally when it is zoomed out) compared to internal zoom lenses. The disadvantages of this design are being harder to seal against dust and moisture, weight balance shifting while zooming and zoom creep in certain lenses.

Zoom Lock

Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM has a Zoom lock feature which eliminates Zoom creep where focal length of the lens changes with gravity when it's held downwards or upwards.

Maximum Magnification Ratio

Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.32x and has a minimum focusing distance of 1.8m. For a non-macro lens, the 0.32x is considered a high magnification and will come handy for close-up shots.

Below are the 3 Super Telephoto Zoom type Nikon F mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:

  • Tamron 18-400mm F3.5-6.3 VC: 0.34x - (Compare)
  • Tamron 16-300mm f3.5-6.3 II VC PZD: 0.34x - (Compare)
  • Sigma 18-300 F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM: 0.33x - (Compare)

Aperture

Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM is a variable aperture lens with a max aperture of f4.5 and a minimum aperture of f22 at 50mm, and a max aperture of f6.3 and minimum aperture of f32 at 500mm .

Focal Length Max Aperture Min Aperture
50mm F4.5 F22
500mm F6.3 F32

Optical Formula

Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM's optical formula consists of 22 elements in 16 groups . Special elements used in this design is 4 SLD glass elements.

Lens Hood

Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos.

Popular Comparisons of Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM

Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM amongst Camera Decision readers.

Top Alternatives of Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM C Lens Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM C
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35mm FF 1930gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
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35mm FF 1780gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD Lens Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD
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35mm FF 1951gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM S Lens Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM S
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35mm FF 2700gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 55-300mm f4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 55-300mm f4.5-5.6G ED VR
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APS-C / DX 530gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
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35mm FF 1160gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM
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35mm FF 1970gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6G Lens Nikon AF Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6G
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35mm FF 425gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

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**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.

Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Alternatives in Nikon F (FX) Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM S Lens Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM S
Compare
35mm FF 2700gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Detailed Specifications


General
Brand Sigma
Lens Type Zoom
Lens Type SuperZoom
Lens Mount Nikon F (FX)
Max Format 35mm FF
Focal Range 50-500mm
Image Stabilization Yes
Colour Unknown
Zoom Method Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No Zoom
Zoom Lock Yes
Zoom Ratio 10.0X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F4.5 - F6.3
Min Aperture F22.0 - F32.0
Aperture Ring No
Diaphragm Blades 9
Optics
Optical Elements 22
Optical Groups 16
Special Elements 4 SLD glass elements

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 1.8m
Max Magnification 0.32X
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type Ring-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal
Distance Scale Yes
DoF Scale No
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 1970g
Diameter 104mm
Length 219mm
Weather Sealing Unknown
Filter Thread 95mm
Filter Notes Includes step-down adapter allowing use of 86mm filters on APS-C cameras
Hood Supplied Yes
Tripod Collar Yes
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Frequently Asked Questions about Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM
is the Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM a Weather-sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM
is the Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM
Does Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM have Image Stabilization?
Does Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM have Aperture Ring?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM


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