Sigma Sports 185956 500mm
A 500mm f/4 optical formula with one SLD and two FLD elements, plus Super Multi-Layer coating, delivers sharp, contrast-rich images, aided by a 4-stop Optical Stabilizer for handholding in dim conditions. Its dust- and splash-proof magnesium-alloy barrel, brass mount, and teleconverter compatibility ensure durability and extended reach options. This lens is ideal for sports and wildlife photographers who rely on fast Hyper Sonic AF with full-time manual override and a bright f/4 aperture to track distant, fast-moving subjects.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong stabilization (83rd percentile) 83rd
- Strong bokeh (80th percentile) 80th
- Strong aperture (70th percentile) 70th
Cons
- Below average build (5th percentile)
- Below average macro (29th percentile)
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Focal Length Min | 500 |
| Focal Length Max | 500 |
| Elements | 16 |
| Groups | 11 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/4 |
| Min Aperture | f/32 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Sigma SA |
| Format | Full-Frame |
| Weight | 3.2 kg / 7.0 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 46 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 3500 |
| Max Magnification | 1:6.67 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Sigma Sports 185956 500mm | Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR | Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 VXD G2 | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 | Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM | Sony G SELP28135G.SYX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 500mm | 18-140mm | 28-75mm | 12-60mm | 28-70mm | 28-135mm |
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/3.5 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/22 | f/4 |
| Mount | Sigma SA | Nikon Z | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Canon RF | Sony E |
| Stabilization | true | true | false | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 3175 | 315 | 540 | 320 | 495 | 420 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | stepping motor | VXD | linear motor | STM | SSM |
| Lens Type | - | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma Sports 185956 500mm | 54.6 | 80.1 | 4.6 | 28.7 | 63.1 | 69.8 | 33.6 | 35.6 | 83.2 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR Compare | 86.9 | 77.7 | 83.8 | 82.6 | 88.5 | 79.7 | 96.2 | 32.2 | 96.6 |
| Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 VXD G2 Compare | 54.6 | 88 | 67.2 | 87.3 | 87.8 | 85.6 | 78.2 | 83.3 | 37.9 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 Compare | 98 | 88 | 83 | 50.2 | 90.2 | 85.6 | 93.1 | 63.9 | 83.2 |
| Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM Compare | 86.9 | 25.9 | 70.2 | 80.3 | 85 | 22.6 | 77.1 | 88 | 98.5 |
| Sony G SELP28135G.SYX Compare | 94.2 | 80.1 | 75.4 | 31 | 86.9 | 69.8 | 92.3 | 50.6 | 92.8 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Price History
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.