§ 03 Head to head
Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM vs Sony DT 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM
Sigma 50–500mm f/4.5-6.3 has a wider field of view. Sony 55–300mm f/4.5-5.6 has a brighter maximum aperture.
The Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM is a 50–500mm f/4.5-6.3 zoom, and the Sony DT 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM is a 55–300mm f/4.5-5.6 zoom. On paper the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM comes out ahead, 6 advantages to 5, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
01
Key differences
Why is the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM better than the Sony DT 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM?
- Wider field of view (50mm vs 55mm)
- Longer reach (500mm vs 300mm)
- Focuses 90 cm closer (0.5 m vs 1.4 m)
- Has optical image stabilization
- More aperture blades (9 vs 7)
- Covers a larger sensor format (full-frame vs APS-C)
Why is the Sony DT 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM 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)
- 1510 g lighter (460 g vs 1970 g)
- 103 mm shorter (116.5 mm vs 219 mm long)
- Smaller filter thread (62 mm vs 95 mm)
- Newer design (2012 vs 2010)
02
Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the Sony DT 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM has the edge: its f/4.5-5.6 aperture gathers more light than f/4.5-6.3.
03
Specification
| Specification | Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM | Sony DT 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 50–500mm | 55–300mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4.5-6.3 | f/4.5-5.6 ◆ |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Zoom lens | Zoom lens |
| Format | Full frame | APS-C |
| Weight | 1970 g (69.49 oz) | 460 g (16.23 oz) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 104.4 x 219 mm | 77 x 116.5 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.5 m (19.69 inches) ◆ | 1.40 m (55.12 inches) |
| Image stabilization | Yes ◆ | No |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | 9 ◆ | 7 |
| Optical construction | 22 elements / 16 groups | 12 elements / 9 groups |
| Filter size | 95 mm | 62 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Sigma SA, Pentax K | Sony A |
| Released | 2010 | 2012 |
04
Size
- A · Sigma
- B · Sony
- 219 × 104.4 mm
- 116.5 × 77 mm
The Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM is 103 mm longer and 1510 g heavier than the Sony DT 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM.
05
Sample frames
Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM
06
Video reviews
07
Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM or the Sony DT 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM?
- The Sony DT 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM 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 Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM or the Sony DT 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM?
- The Sony DT 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM weighs 460 g, 1510 g less than the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM (1970 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM or the Sony DT 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM?
- 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 Sony DT 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM.
- Do the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM and the Sony DT 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM have image stabilization?
- Only the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM has optical image stabilization.
- Is the Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM or the Sony DT 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Sony DT 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM has the edge: its f/4.5-5.6 aperture gathers more light than f/4.5-6.3.
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