Sigma 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS | Sports (L-Mount)
Launch MSRP
$2,999- Weight
- 1,370g
- Filter
- ⌀95mm
- Min focus
- 3.20m
- Max mag.
- 0.17×
- Formula
- 20E / 14G
- Released
- 2024
Also made for
The L-Mount version is 5g heavier than the Sony E-mount version.
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 3x FLD
- 2x SLD
- Water & Oil Repellent Coating
- Aperture range
- f/5.6 — f/32
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 1,370g
- ⌀ × length
- 107.6 × 234.6mm
- Filter
- ⌀95mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- Yes · de-click
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Optical
- Teleconverter
- 1.4x · 2.0x
- AF speed score
- 8.9 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 3.20m
- Max magnification
- 0.17× (1:6.0)
Optical character
Sigma's 500mm F5.6 is a super-telephoto prime built to be carried and used handheld: 1,370g and 234.6mm long on L-Mount. Large FLD and SLD elements at the front (three FLD and two SLD among 20) let Sigma shorten the optical path without diffractive optics, and it suits bird, wildlife, aviation and field-sport photographers who want prime sharpness without a monopod.
OS2 stabilisation is rated at 5 stops and has a panning mode, and an HLA linear motor drives focus. The L-Mount version is the one that works with Sigma's TC-1411 and TC-2011 teleconverters (up to 1,000mm with AF) and with the USB Dock for custom settings. The Sports-line barrel is dust- and splash-resistant, with an aperture ring with click and lock switches, three AFL buttons, a focus limiter and a detachable Arca-Swiss-compatible magnesium foot.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers found it optically outstanding: very sharp in the centre at f/5.6 and very good to the full-frame edges, with sharpness consistent from f/5.6 to f/11. Longitudinal and lateral colour fringing are negligible, distortion is effectively zero, and coma correction is excellent. Autofocus is quick, silent and accurate and tracks moving subjects well, and stabilisation measured about 4 stops, a little under the claim but still very good.
The main criticisms are strong focus breathing (the measured focal length at infinity is a little under 500mm), a list price that is higher than Sigma's own 150-600mm and 60-600mm zooms, and a tripod collar ring that stays on when the foot is removed. Close-range chart sharpness was less impressive than at normal shooting distances. Reviewers praise the low weight for long handheld sessions and note that teleconverters are supported only on L-Mount.
Owner sentiment
Owner feedback will appear once we have verified real-world reports for this lens.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +1,370g, practical to shoot handheld
- +Sharp from f/5.6 across the frame
- +Negligible colour fringing and distortion
- +Fast, silent HLA autofocus
- +L-Mount version takes 1.4x and 2x teleconverters
Weaknesses
- −Strong focus breathing
- −Costs more than Sigma's 150-600mm and 60-600mm zooms
- −3.2m minimum focus distance
- −Tripod collar ring stays on when the foot is removed
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 9.3
- Bokeh Rendering
- 8.5
- Autofocus Speed
- 8.9
- Flare Resistance
- —
- Build / Sealing
- 9.0
- Value / Size
- 7.8
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | L-Mount (FF) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 500mm |
| Category | Super-Telephoto |
| Maximum aperture | f/5.6 |
| Minimum aperture | f/32 |
| Construction | 20 elements in 14 groups |
| Special elements | 3x FLD · 2x SLD · Water & Oil Repellent Coating |
| Aperture blades | 11 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) |
| Minimum focus | 3.20m |
| Max magnification | 0.17× |
| Stabilisation | Optical |
| Teleconverters | 1.4x, 2.0x |
| Weight | 1,370g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 107.6 × 234.6mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀95mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | Yes |
| De-clickable aperture | Yes |
| Release year | 2024 |
| Launch MSRP | $2,999 USD |
Sources
Verified against the pages below. Specifications come from the maker; summaries only reflect reviews and owner reports we actually read.
Specifications
- sigma-global.com› en/lenses/s024_500_56/
- sigma-global.com› en/news/2024/02/21/010253/
- sigmaphoto.com› 500mm-f5-6-dg-dn-os-s
Launch price
- digitalcameraworld.com› reviews/sigma-500mm-f56-dg-dn-os-sports-review-he-aint-heavy
Professional reviews
- digitalcameraworld.com› reviews/sigma-500mm-f56-dg-dn-os-sports-review-he-aint-heavy
- lenstip.com› 667.11-Lens_review-Sigma_S_500_mm_f_5.6_DG_DN_OS_Summary.htm
- lenstip.com› 667.3-Lens_review-Sigma_S_500_mm_f_5.6_DG_DN_OS_Build_qualit
Similar focal length alternatives
- VS500mm F5.6 DG DN OS | Sports (L-Mount) vs 300-600mm F4 DG OS | Sports (L-Mount)
- VS500mm F5.6 DG DN OS | Sports (L-Mount) vs 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports (L-Mount)
- VS500mm F5.6 DG DN OS | Sports (L-Mount) vs LUMIX S 100-500mm F5-7.1 O.I.S.
- SigmaSports
300-600mm F4 DG OS | Sports (L-Mount)
300–600mmF4- WT
- 3,985g
- FLT
- —
- MFD
- 2.80m
- MSRP
- $5,999
AFSTABWR - SigmaSports
150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports (L-Mount)
150–600mmF5–6.3- WT
- 2,100g
- FLT
- ⌀95mm
- MFD
- 0.58m
- MSRP
- $1,499
AFSTABWR - Panasonic
LUMIX S 100-500mm F5-7.1 O.I.S.
100–500mmF5–7.1- WT
- 1,285g
- FLT
- ⌀82mm
- MFD
- 0.80m
- MSRP
- $2,100
AFSTABWR
