Sigma 100-400/5-6,3 DG DN OS Sony E vs Sony FE 400 mm f2,8 GM OSS
Sigma 100-400/5-6,3 DG DN OS Sony E vs Sony FE 400 mm f2,8 GM OSS
When comparing Sony FE 400 mm f2,8 GM OSS and Sigma 100-400/5-6,3 DG DN OS Sony E, which one is better?
1. Lens Weight Comparison
Regarding the weight of the lenses, Sigma 100-400/5-6,3 DG DN OS Contemporary - Sony E is the winner with a weight of 1160 g compared to the 2895 g that Sony FE 400 mm f2,8 GM OSS weighs.
Winner: Sigma 100-400/5-6,3 DG DN OS Sony E
Regarding weight: The weight of a lens is something you need to consider, since you have to carry it around on the camera as long as you're shooting. It adds to the total weight of your camera and it's important to keep the weight low if you get tired in your arms when taking photographs or filming.
2. Lens Mount Comparison
These two lenses use the same lens mount, the Sony E. This means that both lenses are compatible with cameras that use this mount.
Winner: Tied
Regarding lens mount: Popular lens mounts are Canon RF and EF, Micro Four Thirds and Nikon Z. Different lens mounts lets you connect different lenses to camera bodies, but some might not be compatible. This can be helped by using an adapter, like a Canon EF to RF adapter.
3. Largest Aperture Comparison
The Sony FE 400 mm f2,8 GM OSS has the largest aperture of the two lenses at 2.8 compared to the 5 - 6.3 aperture of Sigma 100-400/5-6,3 DG DN OS Contemporary - Sony E. This means that you get more light to your sensor using Sony FE 400 mm f2,8 GM OSS wide open, and therefore it might be a better lens in dark situations.
Winner: Sony FE 400 mm f2,8 GM OSS
Regarding largest aperture: A lower aperture number means that the widest aperture on the lens is larger. This means that more light will hit the sensor and also that the depth of field will be shallower, better separating your subject from the background.
4. Anamorphic Comparison
Neither Sony FE 400 mm f2,8 GM OSS or Sigma 100-400/5-6,3 DG DN OS Contemporary - Sony E are anamorphic lenses.
Winner: Tied — Neither have this feature
Regarding anamorphic: Anamorphic lenses are usually used on cinema cameras and squeezes the image when its recorded, which gives the final, stretched out, image oval bokeh and a different angle of view. The most common lenses, however, are not anamorphic but spherical, which gives a spherical bokeh and is a much cheaper lens design.
5. Focus Distance Comparison
Sigma 100-400/5-6,3 DG DN OS Contemporary - Sony E features a minimum focus distance of 112 cm while Sony FE 400 mm f2,8 GM OSS has a minimum focus distance of 270 cm. Depending on your shooting style, the Sigma 100-400/5-6,3 DG DN OS Contemporary - Sony E might be a better choice.
Winner: Sigma 100-400/5-6,3 DG DN OS Sony E
Regarding minimum focus distance: The minimum focus distance of a lens is the smallest distance from the lens to the subject you want to be in focus; subjects closer than the lens' minimum focus distance will not be in focus. Whether or not this is important to you is up for you to decide, but some want to take close photos and videos and in those cases it's important to have a lens with a low minimum focus distance.
6. Lens Type Comparison
The Sigma 100-400/5-6,3 DG DN OS Contemporary - Sony E is a Zoom lens while the Sony FE 400 mm f2,8 GM OSS is a Prime lens. Whether or not a zoom lens or a prime lens is what you need, is up to you to decide; they both have their respective strengths and weaknesses.
Winner: Tied — It depends on your gear
Regarding type: There are two types of lenses; zoom lenses and prime lenses. Prime lenses have a fixed focal length and cannot be zoomed, while zoom lenses have a focal length range and can be zoomed in to get closer to the subject. Prime lenses are usually lighter, cheaper and let in more light. Zoom lenses are more versatile but are more expensive since they require a more advanced lens design.
7. Filter Thread Comparison
The Sigma 100-400/5-6,3 DG DN OS Contemporary - Sony E feature a filter thread diameter of 67 mm while Sony FE 400 mm f2,8 GM OSS feature a diameter of 40.5 mm. Depending on your current gear (like other lenses or filters) one of them might be favorable over the other.
Winner: Tied — It depends on your gear
Regarding filter thread diameter: The filter thread diameter is the size of which the lens is compatible with screw-on filters, such as CPL, ND or IR filters. If you have several lenses of a certain size, it might be a good idea to keep the same filter thread size to make sure your filters work on all your lenses. If not, then you may buy step up rings to adapt from a certain diameter to the filter thread diameter of your other lenses.
8. Aperture Blade Comparison
Sony FE 400 mm f2,8 GM OSS has 11 aperture blades, which makes it possible to have smoother bokeh than with the Sigma 100-400/5-6,3 DG DN OS Contemporary - Sony E that has 9 aperture blades.
Winner: Sony FE 400 mm f2,8 GM OSS
Regarding aperture blades: The number of aperture blades makes a difference because the bokeh is smoother the more aperture blades the lens has. Of course, this does not mean the lens is better in other regards, but it can be an interesting aspect when deciding of a lens.
9. Stabilization Comparison
Sigma 100-400/5-6,3 DG DN OS Contemporary - Sony E and Sony FE 400 mm f2,8 GM OSS both feature built-in image stabilization.
Winner: Tied — both have this feature
Regarding image stabilization: When a lens features built-in stabilization, it will actively help you hold the image steady by adjusting the optical elements inside the lens to compensate for movements. Do remember that lens stabilization is not required, but it may be suitable depending on your specific needs.
10. Autofocus Comparison
Both lenses have autofocus, which means that they're both great at focusing targets while taking photographs or filming video. Just remember, most cameras do not offer good autofocus while filming video.
Winner: Tied — both have this feature
Regarding autofocus: Lenses with autofocus help you focus when shooting pictures or video. If a lens only has manual focus it means that you have to focus manually by adjusting the focus wheel on the lens. Most cinema lenses do not use autofocus and are manual focus only.
11. Macro Comparison
Neither Sigma 100-400/5-6,3 DG DN OS Contemporary - Sony E or Sony FE 400 mm f2,8 GM OSS are macro lenses.
Winner: Tied — Neither have this feature
Regarding macro: Macro lenses can focus much closer to your subjects and might be suitable when photographing flowers, insects, wildlife and nature.
12. Weather Seal Comparison
Sony FE 400 mm f2,8 GM OSS features a weather sealed design while Sigma 100-400/5-6,3 DG DN OS Contemporary - Sony E does not. This means that Sony FE 400 mm f2,8 GM OSS is a much better choice if you know that you'll use the lens in harsh environments, where moist, rain or dust is present.
Winner: Sony FE 400 mm f2,8 GM OSS
Regarding weather seal: A lens that is weather sealed will perform better over time if you're using the lens in harsh conditions where it's wet or dusty. It may not matter if you're merely using your lens in a studio or in your home.
13. Full Frame Comparison
Both Sony FE 400 mm f2,8 GM OSS and Sigma 100-400/5-6,3 DG DN OS Contemporary - Sony E cover a full frame sensor and can be used on full frame cameras as well as cameras with smaller sensors.
Winner: Tied — both have this feature
Regarding full frame coverage: All lenses do not cover full frame sensors, but not all cameras are full frame cameras either. If a lens covers a full frame sensor it can be used on all cameras with a matching lens mount, both full frame and crop sensors, except for medium format cameras.
Specifications
Full specifications table of Sigma 100-400/5-6,3 DG DN OS Sony E and Sony FE 400 mm f2,8 GM OSS:
| Sigma 100-400/5-6,3 DG DN OS Contemporary - Sony E | Sony FE 400 mm f2,8 GM OSS | |
 |  | |
| Brand | Sigma | Sony |
| Weight | 1160 g | 2895 g |
| Lens Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Focal Length | 100 - 400 mm | 400 mm |
| Largest Aperture | 5 - 6.3 | 2.8 |
| Anamorphic | No | No |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 112 cm | 270 cm |
| Type | Zoom | Prime |
| Aperture Range | Missing | 2.8 - 22 |
| Filter Thread Diameter | 67 | 40.5 |
| Aperture Blades | 9 | 11 |
| Lens Groups | 16 | 23 |
| Lens Elements | 22 | 17 |
| Image Stabilization | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus | Evet | Evet |
| Macro | No | No |
| Weather Seal | No | Yes |
| Full Frame Coverage | Yes | Yes |
| Lens Hood Included | Yes | Yes |
| Stabilization Type | Sigma Optical Stabilizer (OS) | Sony Optical SteadyShot (OSS) |