Sigma APO DG OS HSM 737101 150-500mm
Its 150-500mm zoom range, 4-stop Optical Stabilizer, and Hyper Sonic Motor autofocus pair with three SLD elements to suppress chromatic aberration. The bundled tripod collar, case, and strap add practical value, while the rear focus system preserves sharpness across the zoom range. This lens is best for wildlife and sports photographers needing a stabilized 500mm reach on Canon EF-mount DSLRs.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The Sigma 150-500mm is a budget wildlife beast with best-in-class optics and stabilization, wrapped in a heavy, slow-aperture body. If you shoot outdoors in daylight, this is the best value telephoto zoom you can buy right now.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Optical quality in the 94th percentile, sharp across the zoom range 94th
- Stabilization rated for 4 stops, genuinely effective 92nd
- 500mm reach for a fraction of the price of first-party glass 84th
- Smooth zoom and focus rings, quiet HSM motor 71st
Cons
- 1780g, this thing is a brick
- f/5-6.3 aperture is rough for indoor or low-light shooting
- Build quality in the 9th percentile, one of the worst we've seen
- Autofocus gets flaky after extended use
What owners think
The Word on the Street
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
The proof
Performance
The optics are the star here. Three SLD elements keep chromatic aberration in check, and our database puts this lens in the 94th percentile for optical quality. That's best-in-class territory for a lens this affordable. The stabilization is also a standout, rated for 4 stops and landing in the 93rd percentile. But the autofocus is a mixed bag. HSM is quiet and smooth when it works, but owners report it hunting in low light and getting unreliable after extended use. The f/5-6.3 aperture doesn't help, it's one of the slowest in its class.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 150 |
| Focal Length Max | 500 |
| Elements | 21 |
| Groups | 15 |
| ED Elements | 3 |
| Coating | super multilayer lens coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | 5-6.3 |
| Constant | No |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Canon EF |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weight | 1.8 kg / 3.9 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 86 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | HSM |
| Stabilization | Yes |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 2200 |
| Max Magnification | 1:5.2 |
vs Competition
The Sigma 150-500mm doesn't really compete with the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 or the Nikon Z 17-28mm f/2.8, those are completely different focal ranges for different jobs. The real comparison is against first-party telephoto zooms like Canon's 100-400mm or Nikon's 200-500mm. The Sigma gives you more reach than the Canon and costs way less than the Nikon, but you sacrifice build quality and low-light performance. The Sony E 18-135mm is lighter and more versatile for everyday use, but it can't touch the Sigma's reach for wildlife.
| Spec | Sigma APO DG OS HSM 737101 150-500mm | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Nikon NIKKOR 2178 | Canon L Advanced Two Lens Kit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 150-500mm | 28-300mm | 12-35mm | 18-135mm | 16-85mm | 17-40mm |
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/4 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/3.5 | f/1.4 |
| Mount | Canon EF | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E | Nikon F | Canon EF |
| Stabilization | true | true | true | true | true | false |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | true | false | false | true |
| Weight (g) | 1780 | 590 | 306 | 326 | 485 | 499 |
| AF Type | HSM | VXD linear motor | Autofocus | Linear motor | AF-S | USM |
| Lens Type | telephoto | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | wide-angle |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma APO DG OS HSM 737101 150-500mm | 53.9 | 24.9 | 7.9 | 33.3 | 94.1 | 21.8 | 65.8 | 84.3 | 71.1 | 92.3 |
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD Compare | 97.7 | 83.6 | 63.1 | 83.2 | 96.3 | 70.9 | 92.3 | 97.9 | 50.8 | 79.4 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 53.9 | 86.7 | 83.9 | 49.1 | 86.2 | 88.3 | 92.3 | 80.5 | 86.2 | 96.4 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 97.7 | 81.4 | 71 | 37.6 | 77.9 | 82.8 | 48 | 95.8 | 90.7 | 79.4 |
| Nikon NIKKOR 2178 Compare | 53.9 | 81.4 | 55 | 63.2 | 67.5 | 82.8 | 81.9 | 94.1 | 90.7 | 92.3 |
| Canon L Advanced Two Lens Kit Compare | 93.2 | 95.6 | 70.3 | 85.5 | 77.9 | 97.5 | 0 | 75.8 | 65.7 | 34.4 |
Price
Value & Pricing
At around 1,300 EUR or 177,119 JPY, this lens is a steal for the reach you get. Owners consistently praise the value compared to Nikon and Canon alternatives that cost two to three times more. If you're a hobbyist wildlife shooter on a budget, this is the obvious choice.
Amazon 1 offer From €1,300
Price History
Read more
Overview
The Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 is the budget wildlife shooter's best friend. You get 500mm of reach, optical stabilization that actually works, and image quality that punches way above its price tag. It's heavy, it's slow in low light, and the build quality won't win any awards, but for backyard birds and daytime sports, this thing delivers.
Common Questions
Q: Is this lens good for bird photography?
Yes, for daytime bird photography this is a great choice. The 500mm reach and effective stabilization make it ideal for backyard birds and wildlife. Just don't expect miracles at dawn or dusk with that f/6.3 max aperture.
Q: Can I use this lens handheld?
You can, but your arms will feel it. At 1780g, it's heavy. The stabilization helps a lot, but for extended shooting sessions you'll want a monopod or tripod. The included tripod collar is a nice touch.
Q: Does this lens work with teleconverters?
Yes, it's compatible with Sigma APO teleconverters. But keep in mind you'll lose even more light, and the autofocus may struggle even more than it already does in low light.
Who Should Skip This
If you shoot indoor sports, concerts, or anything in low light, this isn't your lens. The f/5-6.3 aperture will have you cranking ISO and fighting autofocus. Go grab a 70-200mm f/2.8 instead. And if you're planning to hike long distances with your gear, the 1780g weight will make you regret every step. Look at a lighter option like the Sony E 18-135mm for travel.
Verdict
Buy it if you want serious telephoto reach without selling a kidney. The image quality and stabilization are genuinely impressive, and the value is hard to beat. Just know that you're carrying a 1780g lens with slow aperture and mediocre build quality. For daytime wildlife and sports, it's a winner. For indoor or low-light work, look elsewhere.
