Sigma 738109 50-500mm
The 500mm reach with built-in 4-stop optical stabilization makes handheld super-telephoto shooting practical without a tripod. Its HSM autofocus motor and three ED glass elements deliver quiet, sharp results at a budget-friendly price point for the focal range. This lens is best for Pentax DSLR wildlife and motorsport photographers who need affordable 500mm reach and can manage its 1780g weight.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong versatility (97th percentile) 97th
- Strong stabilization (93rd percentile) 93rd
- Strong social proof (68th percentile) 68th
Cons
- Below average build (8th 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 15 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 50 |
| Focal Length Max | 500 |
| ED Elements | 3 |
| Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/4.5 |
| Min Aperture | 4.5-6.3 |
| Constant | No |
Build
| Mount | Pentax KAF3 |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weight | 2.0 kg / 4.3 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 95 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | HSM |
| Stabilization | Yes |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 500 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Sigma 738109 50-500mm | Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 | 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 | 50-500mm | 17-28mm | 28-75mm | 12-60mm | 28-70mm | 28-135mm |
| Max Aperture | f/4.5 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/22 | f/4 |
| Mount | Pentax KAF3 | Nikon Z | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Canon RF | Sony E |
| Stabilization | true | false | false | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 1970 | 450 | 540 | 320 | 495 | 420 |
| AF Type | HSM | Stepping Motor | VXD | linear motor | STM | SSM |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma 738109 50-500mm | 54.6 | 60.4 | 7.5 | 55.8 | 54.9 | 60.9 | 63.3 | 97.3 | 67.7 | 92.8 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare | 87 | 88.1 | 73.6 | 86.3 | 87 | 85.8 | 90.8 | 68.1 | 64.6 | 38 |
| Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 VXD G2 Compare | 54.6 | 88.1 | 67.2 | 87.3 | 87.8 | 85.8 | 80.4 | 78.2 | 83.1 | 38 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 Compare | 98 | 88.1 | 83.1 | 50.4 | 90.2 | 85.8 | 44.2 | 93.1 | 63.5 | 83.2 |
| Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM Compare | 87 | 25.9 | 70.2 | 80.4 | 85 | 22.6 | 98.1 | 77.2 | 87.9 | 98.5 |
| Sony G SELP28135G.SYX Compare | 94.2 | 80.2 | 75.5 | 31.2 | 87 | 69.9 | 63.3 | 92.4 | 50.2 | 92.8 |
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.