Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM vs Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
Canon EF
Both are Sigma super-zooms for Canon EF with optical stabilization (OS), an HSM motor and APO optics. The difference lies mainly at the short end. The Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM appeared in 2008 and is a pure telephoto zoom weighing about 1910 g. The Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM followed in 2010 and starts as wide as 50 mm. That replaces the swap between a standard and a telephoto lens in daily use and is slightly faster at the short end. Both weigh around 2 kg and neither is a lightweight.
Both lenses are full-frame designs from the DSLR era.
Which one suits whom?
- 50-500mm: You want to get by with one lens from standard to super-telephoto on trips or safari.
- 150-500mm: You only need telephoto and already cover the range below with another zoom.
Key differences
- Focal length: 50-500 mm on the Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM, 150-500 mm on the Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM.
- The Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM is faster: f/4.5 instead of f/5, about 0.3 stops more light.
- The Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM is 60 g lighter (1,910 g vs 1,970 g).
- The Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM is 33 mm shorter.
- The Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM focuses closer: from 180 cm instead of 220 cm.
- Filter thread: 95 mm on the Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM, 86 mm on the Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM.
Specs side by side
The key specs of both lenses side by side.
| Lens | Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 50-500 mm | 150-500 mm |
| Max. aperture | f/4.5-6.3 | f/5-6.3 |
| Weight | 1,970 g | 1,910 g |
| Filter diameter | 95 mm | 86 mm |
| Min. focus distance | 180 cm | 220 cm |
| Length | 219 mm | 252 mm |
| Autofocus | yes | yes |
| Image stabilization | yes | yes |
Size comparison
- Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM: 219 × 104 mm
- Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM: 252 × 95 mm
Side view to the same scale, length × diameter (without lens hood).