Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR § 03 Head to head
Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR vs Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM
Nikon 55–300mm f/4.5-5.6 has a brighter maximum aperture. Sigma 50–500mm f/4.5-6.3 has a wider field of view.
The Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR is a 55–300mm f/4.5-5.6 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 they trade blows, with 4 advantages each.
Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR 
Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM 01
Key differences
Why is the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR better than the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM?
- Brighter maximum aperture (f/4.5-5.6 vs f/4.5-6.3)
- 1440 g lighter (530 g vs 1970 g)
- 96 mm shorter (123 mm vs 219 mm long)
- Smaller filter thread (58 mm vs 95 mm)
Why is the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM better than the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR?
- Wider field of view (50mm vs 55mm)
- Longer reach (500mm vs 300mm)
- Focuses 90 cm closer (0.5 m vs 1.4 m)
- Covers a larger sensor format (full-frame vs APS-C)
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Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR has the edge: its f/4.5-5.6 aperture gathers more light than f/4.5-6.3.
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Specification
| Specification | Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR | Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 55–300mm | 50–500mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4.5-5.6 ◆ | f/4.5-6.3 |
| Minimum aperture | f/29 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Zoom lens | Zoom lens |
| Format | APS-C | Full frame |
| Weight | 530 g (18.70 oz) ◆ | 1970 g (69.49 oz) |
| Dimensions | 76.5 x 123 mm | 104.4 x 219 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 1.4 m (55.12 inches) | 0.5 m (19.69 inches) ◆ |
| Image stabilization | Yes | Yes |
| Weather sealing | No | — |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | 9 | 9 |
| Optical construction | 17 elements / 11 groups | 22 elements / 16 groups |
| Filter size | 58 mm ◆ | 95 mm |
| Lens mount | Nikon F | Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Sigma SA, Pentax K |
| Released | 2010 | 2010 |
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Size
- A · Nikon
- B · Sigma
- 123 × 76.5 mm
- 219 × 104.4 mm
The Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM is 96 mm longer and 1440 g heavier than the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR.
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Sample frames
Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
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 lens has the brighter aperture, the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR or the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM?
- The Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR opens to f/4.5-5.6, against f/4.5-6.3 on the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM.
- Which is lighter, the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR or the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM?
- The Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR weighs 530 g, 1440 g less than the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM (1970 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR 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 1.4 m for the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR.
- Do the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR and the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM have image stabilization?
- Yes, both lenses have optical image stabilization.
- Is the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR or the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR has the edge: its f/4.5-5.6 aperture gathers more light than f/4.5-6.3.
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