§ 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

From manufacturer specifications

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?

By use
  • 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

15 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationSigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSMSony DT 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM
Focal length50–500mm 55–300mm
Maximum aperturef/4.5-6.3 f/4.5-5.6 ◆
Minimum aperturef/22 f/22
Lens typeZoom lens Zoom lens
FormatFull frame APS-C
Weight1970 g (69.49 oz) 460 g (16.23 oz) ◆
Dimensions104.4 x 219 mm 77 x 116.5 mm
Minimum focusing distance0.5 m (19.69 inches) ◆1.40 m (55.12 inches)
Image stabilizationYes ◆No
Aperture ringNo No
Aperture blades9 ◆7
Optical construction22 elements / 16 groups 12 elements / 9 groups
Filter size95 mm 62 mm ◆
Lens mountCanon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Sigma SA, Pentax K Sony A
Released2010 2012
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • 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

Shot on each lens

Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM

Small Flowered Evening Primrose or Common Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) D7100 DSC_7960-copyfl
Small Flowered Evening Primrose or Common Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) D7100 DSC_7960-copyfl by mwomack77479
USS Vicksburg (CG-69)
USS Vicksburg (CG-69) by corax71
Snowy Egret D7100 DSC_4481
Snowy Egret D7100 DSC_4481 by mwomack77479
Cetia ruiseñor
Cetia ruiseñor by Carlos Capitán
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM review 1
Video thumbnail for Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM review 2
Video thumbnail for Sony DT 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM review 1
Video thumbnail for Sony DT 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM review 2
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.
08

Other comparisons