Sigma 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS Sports
Sigma · 500 mm · f/5.6 · Sports · Image Stabilization
Score Breakdown
Scores combine our editorial testing with published lab data.
71
SCORE /100
What We Like
+Remarkably compact and lightweight for a 500mm prime (1,365g), making it handholeable
+Exceptional sharpness corner-to-corner at f/5.6 with minimal improvement when stopped down
+Fast and accurate HLA autofocus system ideal for wildlife and sports photography
+5.0 stops of image stabilization with dual OS modes for general shooting and panning
+Rich feature set including aperture ring (clickable/declickable), three AFL buttons, and focus limiter
+Dust and splash-resistant construction with weather-sealed design suitable for field use
Worth Knowing
−F5.6 aperture is slower than f/4 alternatives, limiting low-light sports performance (requires higher ISO)
−Fixed 500mm focal length lacks zoom flexibility; no compositional adjustment possible
−E-mount version lacks teleconverter support (L-mount only); Sony restricts third-party teleconverter compatibility
−Minimum focus distance of 3.2m is quite far for close-up work; not suitable for macro or insect photography
General | |
|---|---|
About This LensThe Sigma 500mm f5.6 DG DN OS Sports is a light and compact super-telephoto prime lens measuring 235mm long and weighing just under 1.4kg. The lens delivers exceptional image quality, with impressive sharpness from full-frame corner to full-frame corners at wide-open f/5.6 aperture. The latest OS2 optical stabilization algorithm provides an outstanding image stabilization effect of 5.0 stops, while the HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) enables fast and accurate autofocus even in ultra-telephoto photography such as sports and bird photography. Price-wise this pitches it roughly between a variety of super-telephoto zooms and super-high-end prime lenses, while beating them all on portability. | |
| Brand | Sigma |
| Release Year | 2024 |
Production Status ⓘCurrent status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued). |  In Production |
Pro Branding ⓘSpecific branding codes used for professional-tier lenses. | Sports |
Lens Mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. | Leica L |
System ⓘIndicates which camera system the lens is designed to attach to. | Leica L |
Maximum Format ⓘLargest sensor size compatible with the lens. |  Full Frame |
Physical92/100 | |
| Lens Weight | 1365 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point | 108 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. | 236 mm |
Front Filter Compatible ⓘSome lenses are compatible with front filters, some are compatible with back filters and some are compatible with both. Front filters are usually more convenient to add and remove. |  Yes |
Front Filter Size ⓘDiameter of attachable filters. | 95 mm |
Optics65/100 | |
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) | 500 mm |
Aperture Range ⓘLargest aperture at the lens's shortest focal length to longest focal length (aperture range start - end) | 5.6 |
| Focal Length Angle of View | 5° |
Flange Focal Distance ⓘDistance from lens mount to sensor. | 20 mm |
Diaphragm Type ⓘStructure and design of the aperture |  Automatic |
Blades ⓘNumber of diaphragm blades in aperture | 11020 |
Zoom Lens ⓘZoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups | No |
Closest Focusing Distance ⓘMinimum distance for a subject to be in focus. | 320 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced | 0.17x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes |
Features78/100 | |
Weather Sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |  Yes |
Fluorine Coating ⓘCoating to repel water and oil from lens elements. |  Yes |
| Built In Lens Hood | No |
| Lens Hood Type |  Round |
Teleconverter ⓘA teleconverter (extender) is an extra piece of equipment that fits between the lens and the camera body to enhance magnification |  Yes |
| Image Stabilization | Yes |
IS Efficiency ⓘIS efficiency refers to the effectiveness of the image stabilization system in compensating for the blurring effects of camera shake, quantified by the number of stops of stabilization it provides. | 5 stops |
Construction38/100 | |
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. | 20 |
| Groups | 14 |
Bi Aspherical Elements ⓘElements with two non-spherical surfaces | 0 |
Low Dispersion ⓘElements that reduce chromatic aberration | 5 |
Super Low Dispersion ⓘAdvanced elements further reducing chromatic aberration | 0 |
CA Reduction ⓘBuilt-in features to reduce chromatic aberration | 0 |
Internal Focusing ⓘInternal Focusing means that the lens does not change in size during focusing, and the front element does not rotate. |  Yes |