Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C

£699/$799 This Sigma super-tele is a downsized delight

Filling the gap between conventional 70-300mm telephoto lenses and 150-600mm supertelephoto zooms, this Sigma lens is in direct competition with the Tamron 100-400mm. As such, it weighs in at just over a kilo, making it about half the weight of most super-tele zooms.

There’s a generous provision of on-board controls. The fast, ring-type ultrasonic AF system can be switched to give priority to autofocus or manual override and comes with a focus range limiter that operates either side of six metres. There are also two switchable optical stabilization modes. The latter works when panning in landscape, portrait and even diagonal orientation. Furthermore, two switchable custom modes are available, which you can set up via Sigma’s optional USB Dock.

Performance

Helped by the deployment of four SLD (Special Low Dispersion) elements, the lens produces good sharpness and contrast with minimal colour fringing. Stabilization gives up to a 4-stop benefit, but there’s no optional tripod mounting collar.

N-photo verdict

Max telephoto reach is modest, but the upside is a relatively compact and lightweight build, and there’s no shortage of switchable controls.

Sharpness It’s one of those lenses that looks unimpressive with close-range test charts, but is better in real life.

Fringing Colour fringing is only slightly noticeable at 100mm and even less so at longer zoom settings.

Distortion Pincushion distortion increases at longer zoom settings, but remains well controlled overall.