Sigma’s 150-600 Mirrorless-First Zoom Launches, Meets Expectations

The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports zoom lens arrived on time, at the expected price, and with all the image quality expected of a higher-end-yet-slower zoom. It is, in essence, a compromise lens with the image quality of the Sony first party 200-600mm lens, but with slightly slower autofocus and a price that is about 30 percent less.

It also has an innovative way of handling the “push versus twist” issue of these cheaper wildlife zooms. In addition to having a zoom tension setting switch (which we like better than the dial used by some companies, like Canon), Sigma raised a ridge where the lens hood meets the barrel, allowing for a forward-placed hand to trombone the lens in and out. If the tension is set to “smooth,” the lens focal length adjusts seamlessly with gentle pushes and pulls.

The minimum focus distance is a very good 0.58 meters at the wide end, making this lens a quite good 1:3 ratio shooter for semi-macro shots. The Sony 200-600 had mostly good 1:5 ratio.

The lens comes in Sony’s FE mount as well as the L mount that full frame Panasonic cameras use. It is available for pre-order now.