§ 03 Head to head

Sigma 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 DG OS vs Sony 70-400 mm f/4-5.6 G SSM II

Sigma 70–300mm f/4-5.6 is 890 g lighter. Sony 70–400mm f/4-5.6 has a longer reach.

The Sigma 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 DG OS is a 70–300mm f/4-5.6 zoom, and the Sony 70-400 mm f/4-5.6 G SSM II is a 70–400mm f/4-5.6 zoom. On paper the Sigma 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 DG OS comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Sigma 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 DG OS better than the Sony 70-400 mm f/4-5.6 G SSM II?

  • 890 g lighter (610 g vs 1500 g)
  • 70 mm shorter (126.5 mm vs 196 mm long)
  • Has optical image stabilization
  • Smaller filter thread (62 mm vs 77 mm)

Why is the Sony 70-400 mm f/4-5.6 G SSM II better than the Sigma 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 DG OS?

  • Longer reach (400mm vs 300mm)
  • Newer design (2013 vs 2009)
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • portrait For portrait photography, the Sigma 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 DG OS has the edge: it is 890 g lighter to carry.
03

Specification

16 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationSigma 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 DG OSSony 70-400 mm f/4-5.6 G SSM II
Focal length70–300mm 70–400mm
Maximum aperturef/4-5.6 f/4-5.6
Minimum aperturef/22 f/22-32
Lens typeZoom lens Zoom lens
FormatFull frame Full frame
Weight610 g (21.52 oz) ◆1500 g (52.91 oz)
Dimensions76.5 x 126.5 mm 94.5 x 196 mm
Minimum focusing distance1.5 m (59.06 inches) 1.5 m (59.06 inches)
Image stabilizationYes ◆No
Weather sealing—Yes
Aperture ringNo No
Aperture blades9 9
Optical construction16 elements / 11 groups 18 elements / 12 groups
Filter size62 mm ◆77 mm
Lens mountCanon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Sigma SA, Pentax K Sony A
Released2009 2013
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · Sigma
  • B · Sony
  • 126.5 × 76.5 mm
  • 196 × 94.5 mm

The Sony 70-400 mm f/4-5.6 G SSM II is 69 mm longer and 890 g heavier than the Sigma 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 DG OS.

05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

Sigma 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 DG OS

Red Shouldered Hawk Scoping Lunch
Red Shouldered Hawk Scoping Lunch by BrightGarden
Here's Me Lookin' at You Lookin' at Me - and you look delicious from up here.
Here's Me Lookin' at You Lookin' at Me - and you look delicious from up here. by BrightGarden
Shooting Jupiter Handheld - and Getting the Moons
Shooting Jupiter Handheld - and Getting the Moons by BrightGarden
Nightmare 3
Nightmare 3 by Arthur Brown PHOTOGRAPHY
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Sigma 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 DG OS review 1
Video thumbnail for Sigma 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 DG OS review 2
Video thumbnail for Sony 70-400 mm f/4-5.6 G SSM II review 1
Video thumbnail for Sony 70-400 mm f/4-5.6 G SSM II review 2
07

Questions

Which is lighter, the Sigma 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 DG OS or the Sony 70-400 mm f/4-5.6 G SSM II?
The Sigma 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 DG OS weighs 610 g, 890 g less than the Sony 70-400 mm f/4-5.6 G SSM II (1500 g).
Do the Sigma 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 DG OS and the Sony 70-400 mm f/4-5.6 G SSM II have image stabilization?
Only the Sigma 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 DG OS has optical image stabilization.
Is the Sigma 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 DG OS or the Sony 70-400 mm f/4-5.6 G SSM II better for portrait photography?
For portrait photography, the Sigma 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 DG OS has the edge: it is 890 g lighter to carry.
08

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