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amazon Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS reviews
The Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Lens is the latest Contemporary lens launched recently for full-frame mirrorless cameras.
The Sigma name has long enjoyed a great reputation in the market concerning high-quality third-party lenses and has always received ample appreciation from the community. With the lenses seeming to have blurring boundaries in terms of quality with first-party lenses, it can be said that Sigma provides them at reasonable prices.
Definitely, there’s a huge price difference; Sony lenses will have better-quality components. This article will focus on analysis strictly from a perspective of Sigma lenses only.
The Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS is not an entirely new lens designed by Sigma. Previous incarnations used for DSLR cameras were given slight modifications to meet the requirements of users of full-frame mirrorless cameras specifically for E-mount Sony and L-mount Leica.
Sigma distinguishes its Contemporary series as the line of lenses to be made compact but maintain optical excellence. This lens is composed of 22 elements arranged in 16 groups, including one FLD element and four SLD elements. It features a stepping motor for auto-focus, operates between F/22 and F/29 for a nine-blade diaphragm, has a front filter diameter of 67mm, and at 500mm focuses at a minimum distance of 112cm, while 400mm being 160cm. This lens is 86mm in diameter, 197mm long, and weighs 1,135g.
Besides the zoom lenses, Sigma also released another two Teleconverters, namely TC-1411 (1.4x) and TC-2011 (2x), with dust and splash resistance built for Sigma’s Sports lens line for your enjoyment.
In terms of a good price, the Sigma 100-400mm isn’t coming with a tripod mount that you would need to purchase if you wished to use it on a tripod. Weighing in at 1,135g, the Sigma is around 250g “lighter” than the Sony lens, which could be considered just the right weight to take along for a hike.
With approximately four stops of stabilization, the Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary lens is fully compatible with the 5-axis stabilization system within Sony cameras.
where can you get a Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS online
Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary Lens 750969 for L-Mount Full Frame Mirrorless Cameras Bundle w/Deco Gear Photography Backpack Case + Filter Kit + 64GB Card + Monopod + Accessories: Buy it now
Performance
1. Autofocus:
The Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS has a fast and reliable autofocus system driven by a stepping motor for smooth and quiet focus. Important points relating to autofocus performance are:
Speed: The autofocus system is agile and fast in locking onto subjects. Unless working with high-speed subjects, it becomes advantageous in nearly all working situations.
Accuracy: It is accurate, with virtually no hunting or focus errors. This accurate focusing is essential in wildlife or sports photography.
Tracking: The lens tracks moving subjects well, though there is variability depending on camera body and camera AF system.
2. Image Quality:
The optical performance of the Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS is really impressive for its class. Below are detailed specifications for imaging quality:
Sharpness: This lens is capable of producing sharp images across the range of zoom. Generally, highest sharpness is observed close to f/8. At a focal length of 400mm, the sharpness is still quite good but there could be some soft corners.
Chromatic Aberration: LD glass does a good job of minimizing chromatic aberrations of all kinds. While some purple fringing may appear in very high-contrast scenes, it is generally well controlled.
Distortion: There is very little barrel distortion, and absolutely no pincushion distortion. These properties will be advantageous for landscapes where straight lines must be conserved.
Bokeh: The bokeh produced is pleasing, with a soft, creamy background that will help to isolate the subject. The out-of-focus elements are smooth and unobtrusive, keeping the images pleasing to the overall look.
Flare and Ghosting: The Super Multi-Layer Coating minimizes flare and ghosting, ensuring clear images with contrast even under less favorable lighting conditions.
Comparative Analysis
An understanding of the Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS is augmented through a comparison with other lenses in the same category.
1. Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM (for DSLR):
Mounting: The DG OS HSM is for DSLR cameras, while the DG DN OS is for mirrorless systems. The shorter flange distance makes the design of the mirrorless version more compact.
Size and Weight: The mirrorless option has shorter and lighter configurations for easy handling, unlike the bulkier DSLR version.
Optical Performance: Both lenses display similar optical characteristics but the mirrorless may have certain advantages in handling stabilization mainly due to the design improvements.
2. Tamron 100-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di VC USD:
Aperture: The Tamron lens provides a marginally larger maximum aperture of f/4.5 at 100mm, whereas the Sigma’s aperture is f/5. It is a tiny difference, but it may matter in low-light conditions.
Optical Stabilization: It has its Vibration Compensation system, hence the two systems are in strong competition. The stabilization systems of both the lenses perform fairly equally.
Pricing: There is a good case for the Tamron being good value for money.
3. Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM:
Focal Length: The Canon shines at 500mm with extra reach over the Sigma 100-400mm; however, the Canon is bulkier and pricier.
Build Quality: Premium construction and weather-sealed, the Canon offer better durability; the Sigma 100-400mm is more compact but lacks a little in this department.
Optical Performance: Both lenses yield good optical quality with an edge to the Canon in longer reach in more uses.
Strengths Weaknesses
Strengths:
Compact and Lightweight: The Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS is easy to handle for shooting handheld and for travel since it is relatively compact for a telephoto zoom lens.
Versatile Focal Length: The 100-400mm zoom range is highly versatile to capture distant subjects, and it is suited for wildlife, sports, and landscape photography.
Optical Performance: Sharp images with minimum distortion and aberrations, others due to optical stabilization that is great in suppressing shake.
Great Value: The Sigma 100-400mm offers solid performance against those prices, thus making a great buy from the category.
Weaknesses
Largest aperture: The smallest makes it difficult for low light performance, and creates more of a problem in shallow depth-of-field effects for some other telephoto lenses.
Material: The lens is still well-made, although it doesn’t share the higher price premium materials weather-sealed mountings in some other top models. Will be definitely be felt in the prolonged used subjecting it to extreme conditions of site.
Focus Breathing: Minor focus shift-a.k.a. “focus breathing” during zooming might bug some users. This is a consideration for video work where control in focus is critical.
Conclusion
Sigma’s new super telephoto release, the 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS, may be the first of its kind. It is a nifty little lens that strikes all the chords of versatility, performance, and price for high-end mirrorless camera systems. Because it is compact and lightweight, photographers on the go can easily carry a long focal length without the nuisance of traditional telephoto lenses. A very nice optical performance gets along with minimum distortions producing sharp and clear photographs.
As far as aperture goes, the maximum would have fettered performance under very low ambient light, but it proved strong in every other angle, making it a top address in a field defined as telephoto zoom. For everyone, from wildlife nuts to active sportsmen and landscape lovers, the Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS extends long reach and value image quality in fulfilling all needs.
The Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS is simply the best buy of high-class tele-zoom optics per se, despite being an optic for mirrorless cameras. It is designed to be compact, has excellent range with its versatile focal lengths, and has a compelling price tag at which, if invested in, becomes another asset in any photographer’s armory.