SIGMA 150-600MM F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | S

Big and heavy, Sigma’s mighty Sport lens literally puts all the other contenders in the shade

Physically longer, wider and heavier than other lenses on test, Sigma’s Sport lens is a bit of a beast. It tips the scales at 2,860g, which is good news if you enjoy a physical workout without paying gym fees. The front section of the lens is particularly large, and has a 105mm filter thread instead of the 95mm in the other lenses.

This lens comes closest of any in the group to the look and feel of a fully prograde optic. Unlike the Nikon and Sigma Contemporary lenses on test, it has a full set of weather seals, rather than just a sealed mounting plate. It also feels very sturdy and robust, from its brass mounting plate to its metal outer barrel and hood. The rear of the barrel also features strap lugs, so you can hang it from your neck without stressing your camera mount.

All of the attractions of the Sigma Contemporary lens are carried through, including an identical set of switches for auto/manual-priority autofocus, a short/ long autofocus range limiter, dual-mode stabilisation, and two custom modes. Both lenses are also supplied with padded soft cases, but the Sport lens also has a padded soft lens cap that encircles the hood when extended or inverted. Handling benefits from a much bigger focus ring than in the Contemporary lens.

The Sport also goes extra-large in terms of image quality and all-round performance. Autofocus is super fast and highly accurate, while sharpness and contrast are better than from any competing lens, throughout the entire zoom and aperture ranges. Colour fringing is minimal and pincushion distortion is fairly negligible.

Far left 600mm At the long end of the zoom range, the Sport lens retains excellent sharpness, edging ahead of the Nikon and Tamron left MEET THE BIGMA This lens takes the attractions of Sigma’s Contemporary lens to a different scale, with a bigger,...