Sigma 186969
Weighing just 1400g, this 500mm f/5.6 prime redefines handheld super-telephoto shooting with a High-Response Linear Actuator for fast autofocus and 5-stop optical stabilization. Its durable, weather-sealed construction and advanced optical design with 20 elements minimize flare and ghosting for professional-grade clarity. This lens is best for wildlife and sports photographers who need a portable, high-performance tool for capturing distant action without a tripod.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong stabilization (97th percentile) 97th
- Strong optical (96th percentile) 96th
Cons
- Below average aperture (5th percentile)
- Below average social proof (12th percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (16th percentile)
- Below average bokeh (18th percentile)
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 7 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Prime |
| Focal Length Min | 500 |
| Focal Length Max | 500 |
| Elements | 20 |
| Groups | 14 |
| ED Elements | 5 |
| Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/32 |
| Min Aperture | f/5.6 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11 |
Build
| Mount | Sony E |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 kg / 3.0 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 95 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | Yes |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 3200 |
| Max Magnification | 1:6 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Sigma 186969 | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD | Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Viltrox Pro AF 27mm f/1.2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 500mm | 28-300mm | 17-28mm | 12-35mm | 18-135mm | 27mm |
| Max Aperture | f/32 | f/4 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/1.2 |
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E | Nikon Z | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E | Sony E |
| Stabilization | true | true | false | true | true | false |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | false | true |
| Weight (g) | 1370 | 590 | 450 | 306 | 326 | 560 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | VXD linear motor | Stepping Motor | Autofocus | Linear motor | STM |
| Lens Type | prime | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | prime |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma 186969 | 53.9 | 17.6 | 20.5 | 33.5 | 95.9 | 4.7 | 16 | 33.6 | 12.1 | 96.9 |
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD Compare | 98 | 78.2 | 65.1 | 85.8 | 96.7 | 66.3 | 91.2 | 97.7 | 55 | 82.4 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare | 86.9 | 87.3 | 75.2 | 85.8 | 88.2 | 84.2 | 91.2 | 68 | 69.1 | 36.8 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 53.9 | 82.1 | 85.4 | 51 | 86.5 | 84.2 | 63.7 | 80.6 | 85.1 | 96.9 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 98 | 75.7 | 72.5 | 40.3 | 78.5 | 77.6 | 44.7 | 95.8 | 89.6 | 82.4 |
| Viltrox Pro AF 27mm f/1.2 Compare | 86.9 | 98.5 | 67.4 | 38.5 | 82.2 | 98.6 | 91.2 | 33.6 | 89.6 | 36.8 |
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
