Sigma’s new 150-600mm mirrorless Sports lens offers both push-pull and ring zoom mechanisms
Aug 4, 2021
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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Well, we knew it was coming but now it’s official. Sigma has now launched the new 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports lens for mirrorless cameras. Specifically, that means the Leica L mount (utilised by Sigma’s fp and fp L cameras) and the Sony E mount. Still no word on any Nikon Z or Canon RF mount lenses coming from Sigma yet.
The new lens marks Sigma’s first ultra-telephoto zoom Sports lens designed specifically for mirrorless cameras. They say it offers much-improved performance and functionality over using a mount adapter with the old 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Contemporary for DSLRs, with fast accurate autofocus, better stabilisation and Dual Action Zoom system.
The new lens, which Sigma says is “ideal for wildlife, sports, landscapes, motorsports and countless other photographic endeavours”, offers some notable improvements over its 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary predecessor. Not least of which is better weather sealing with a dust and scratch resistance and aluminium housing.
Sigma’s approach with the new Sports series lens is more towards professionals and serious enthusiasts shooting in more demanding conditions, whereas the contemporary was targeted more towards casual long-range shooting needs. This difference is definitely reflected in the price, with the Contemporary lens priced at $1,089 (and currently available for $899) vs the $1,499 price tag of the new Sports version.
| Focal Length | 150-600mm |
| Mount | Leica L, Sony E |
| Format | Full Frame |
| Focus Type | Autofocus |
| Optics | 25 elements in 15 groups |
| Min Focus Distance | 58cm @ 150mm, 2.8m @ 600mm |
| Max aperture | f/5-6.3 |
| Min Aperture | f/22-29 |
| Angle of view | 16.4° to 4.1° |
| Aperture Blades | 9, rounded |
| Stabilisation | Yes |
| Filter Size | 95mm |
| Dimensions | 109.4 x 263.3mm |
| Weight | 2,100g (including tripod mount) |
The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports offers up to four stops of optical image stabilisation with two different selectable modes. It also features dust and splashproof construction with a water and oil-repellent front coating. The Dual Action Zoom is interesting, offering users the choice of either a push-pull zoom capability for rapid response or via the use of a more standard zoom ring mechanism. A new Zoom Torque switch allows the user to select resistance and lock the lens securely.
The lens comes with a removable lens hood and padded protective lens cap, as well as a TS-121 tripod socket with a removable and replaceable foot. It’s also compatible with the separately purchased TS-81 tripod socket. As well as the OS mode switch, you also get a focus limiter switch, custom switch and three customisable AFL buttons.
For firmware updates, the new lens is compatible with the Sigma UD-11 dock for Leica L and it’s also compatible with both the Sigma TC-1411 1.4x and TC-2011 2x L mount teleconverters.
Overall, It’s a decent looking lens, which one would hope, given its price premium over the 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary. Let’s hope it lives up to the expectations once it gets into the hands of reviewers. I am curious what they’ll make of that hybrid Dual Action Zoom mechanism and whether they’ll find the ability to use either a ring or go push-pull to actually be a useful feature.
The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens is available to pre-order now for $1,499 for Leica L and Sony E mounts and is expected to start shipping at the end of August.
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John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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5 responses to “Sigma’s new 150-600mm mirrorless Sports lens offers both push-pull and ring zoom mechanisms”
I do not understand the desire for such a large focal length range on a telephoto zoom. Since the range up to 600 mm is primarily used for wildlife photography, it seems to me that a 300-600mm constant f5 would be much more useful.
Versatility – however as they have now made a Sport with Contemporary weight and dimensions, a constant aperture Sport should be possible within the 2.9kg mass of the old 150-600mm Sport
Didn’t we call that lens creep like in the 50-500. You could push-pull to zoom there too.
I have been using the EF version for a couple of years now and love it. My go to lens for birding/aircraft lens.
To be honest, the 150-600mm Sport has always had push-pull zooming (speaking as an F-Mount owner) .
But losing 800g and 10mm of filter diameter while retaining the other Sport attributes – not bad, just need an F-Mount version for the other shooter in my life.