HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE § 03 Head to head
HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE vs Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM
Pentax 55–300mm f/4.5-6.3 is 1528 g lighter. Sigma 50–500mm f/4.5-6.3 has a wider field of view.
The HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE is a 55–300mm f/4.5-6.3 zoom, and the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM is a 50–500mm f/4.5-6.3 zoom. On paper the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 4, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE 
Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM 01
Key differences
Why is the HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE better than the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM?
- 1528 g lighter (442 g vs 1970 g)
- 130 mm shorter (89 mm vs 219 mm long)
- Smaller filter thread (58 mm vs 95 mm)
- Newer design (2016 vs 2010)
Why is the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM better than the HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE?
- Wider field of view (50mm vs 55mm)
- Longer reach (500mm vs 300mm)
- Focuses 45 cm closer (0.5 m vs 0.95 m)
- Has optical image stabilization
- Covers a larger sensor format (full-frame vs APS-C)
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Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE has the edge: it is 1528 g lighter to carry.
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Specification
| Specification | HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE | Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 55–300mm | 50–500mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4.5-6.3 | f/4.5-6.3 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22-32 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Telephoto zoom lens | Zoom lens |
| Format | APS-C | Full frame |
| Weight | 442 g (15.6 oz) ◆ | 1970 g (69.49 oz) |
| Dimensions | 76.5 mm (diameter) x 89 mm (length) | 104.4 x 219 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.95 m (3.1 ft) | 0.5 m (19.69 inches) ◆ |
| Maximum magnification | 0.3x | — |
| Image stabilization | No | Yes ◆ |
| Weather sealing | Yes | — |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | 9 (rounded) | 9 |
| Optical construction | 14 elements in 11 groups (including 1 ED element) | 22 elements / 16 groups |
| Filter size | 58 mm ◆ | 95 mm |
| Lens mount | Pentax K | Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Sigma SA, Pentax K |
| Released | 2016 | 2010 |
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Size
- A · HD
- B · Sigma
- 89 × 76.5 mm
- 219 × 104.4 mm
The Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM is 130 mm longer and 1528 g heavier than the HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE.
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Sample frames
HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE
Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE or the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM?
- The HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE weighs 442 g, 1528 g less than the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM (1970 g).
- Which focuses closer, the HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE or the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM?
- The Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM focuses down to 0.5 m, against 0.95 m for the HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE.
- Do the HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE and the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM have image stabilization?
- Only the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM has optical image stabilization.
- Is the HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE or the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE has the edge: it is 1528 g lighter to carry.
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