In this article, we are comparing the Sigma 60-600mm vs 150-600mm lenses, which are hyper-zoom lenses with all the right ticks on the box. These are versatile lenses, and both offer 10x optical zoom, with full-time manual focus.
Also, it does not matter which lens ecosystem you are into; Sigma offers all the native mounts out of the box without the need for any 3rd party accessories. Plus, image stabilization is directly built into the lens, which uses advanced algorithms which the company claims to help you get sharper images in challenging scenarios.
Using these lenses with an APS-C body will effectively increase the focal length, but is still manageable. The Sigma 60-600mm is more versatile among the two since it covers a broader range and incorporates 25 lens elements in 19 groups. This makes the Sigma 60-600mm more costly when compared with the 150-600 model.
The 9 blade diaphragm on both the lenses creates an attractive bokeh to out-of-focus areas of the picture, with built-in optical image stabilization and an effect of 4 stops and an accelerometer for vertical & horizontal panning, and a Hyper-Sonic Motor for fast & quiet autofocusing.
The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary lens targets a similar market as the 60-600mm, but at a cost. However, the larger and more substantial “Sport” edition is something unique to Sigma, with no other competing or equivalent offers from any other manufacturer.
Both these lenses offer a substantial focal range to work with and is no longer a dream to reach 10x optical zoom without spending a bomb. The 60-600mm is useful for photographing static and moving subjects at varying distances quickly. Using a 600mm prime lens is not always feasible due to its weight and haze in specific environments.
Both these lenses have a sports edition, which is more cumbersome and a little bit challenging to carry around. Either way, you will need a carrying case for outdoors 100% of the time.
Now, with that background, lets us compare these two lenses by their specs. See below:
Sigma 60-600mm vs 150-600mm: Specifications Comparison
First, we will look at the Pros & Cons of these lenses. See below:
| Pros & Cons |
Sigma Sports 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens  |
Sigma 150-600mm F 5.0 -6.3 |
| F22 – F32 (Minimum Aperture) | f22 minimum aperture | |
| 25 Elements in 19 Groups | 24 Elements in 16 Groups lens construction | |
| 60-260 cm / 23.6-102.4 in. | 260cm / 102.4 in minimum focusing distance (2.6m vs 2.7m) | |
| 160g lighter – 2.7 kg vs 2860g | 2700 grams | |
| 1:3.3 (200mm) of maximum magnification | 1:5 | |
Comes in Sigma, Nikon and Canon mounts
|
Comes with Hyper-Sonic Motor & designed for APS-C & FF DSLR cameras
|
We will be comparing all the relevant technical aspects and specifications side by side so you can get a better idea. Moreover, we will discuss all the significant differences descriptively and understand how they leave an impact on the overall performance of the lens. So without any more delay, here we begin:
Specs Comparison:
General
| Specifications |
Sigma Sports 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens |
Sigma 150-600mm Sports
|
| Packaged Quantity | 1 | 1 |
| Diameter | 4.7in. x 10.6in | 4.8 x 11.4 in. |
| Length | 120.4mm / 10.6 in. | 290.2mm & 11.4 in. |
| Weight | 2,700g [95.2 oz] | 2.9 KG [100.9 oz] |
| Accessory Type | Lenses | Lenses |
| Manufacturer | Sigma Photo, Inc | SIGMA |
Carrying Case
| Specifications |
Sigma Sports 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens |
Sigma 150-600mm Sports
|
| Included Accessories |
|
dust cap
lens cap lens case lens hood shoulder strap |
Lens System
| Specifications |
Sigma Sports 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens |
Sigma 150-600mm Sports
|
| Type | Telephoto zoom lens | Telephoto Zoom Lens |
| Focal Length | 60 – 600mm | 150 mm – 600 mm |
| Magnification | 1:3.3 / 200mm | 1:5 |
| Image Stabilizer | Optical | Optical |
| Smallest Aperture at minimum Focal Length | F22 | F22 |
| Intended For | FF & APS-C SLR, digital SLR (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Sigma) | FF & APS-C SLR, Digital SLR (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Sigma) |
| Optical Zoom | 12x max. | 12x max. |
| Series | DG OS HSM Sports | DG OS HSM |
| Lens Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating
Water and oil-repellent coating on the front & rear lens elements |
Super Multi-Layer Coating
Water and oil-repellent coating on the front & rear lens elements |
| Mounting Type | Nikon F (Canon EF, EF-S, Nikon, Sigma) | Nikon F (Canon EF, EF-S, Nikon, Sigma) |
| Special Functions | Tele, zoom | Tele, Zoom |
| Lens Aperture | f/4.5-6.3 | f/5.0-6.3 |
| Minimum Aperture | F22 – F32 | F22 – F32 |
| Min Focal Length | 60 mm | 150 mm |
| Max Focal Length | 600 mm | 600 mm |
| Min Focus Distance | 60-260 cm / 23.6-102.4in. | 260cm / 102.4 in |
| Focus Adjustment | automatic, manual (Full time) | Automatic, Manual |
| Zoom Adjustment | manual | Manual |
| Max View Angle | 16.4 degrees (16.4º-4.1º)
(Varies with APS-C & FF DSLRs) |
16.4 degrees (16.4º-4.1º) |
| Min View Angle | 39.6º – 4.1º | 4.1 degrees |
| Group Qty | 19 | 16 |
| Element Qty | 25 | 24 |
| Filter Size | 105 mm | 105 mm |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 | 9 |
| Features | ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glass
FLD glass Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass Sigma USB dock compatible Dustproof Splash-proof |
ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glass
FLD glass Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass Sigma USB dock compatible Dustproof Splash-proof |
Note that we will only be discussing the differences in the above table, and not the similarities; since it does not simply make any sense to discuss in what criteria these lenses are similar.
We found the 150-600 lens to be quite limiting when the subject is too close is fast-moving. Overall, we like the 60-600’s long focal range, which offers more flexibility to shoot action at both close & long-distance subjects. However, the high price and the extra weight concerns are always there, making such lenses cost-prohibitive for budget-conscious enthusiasts and professionals. They prefer shooting hand-held most of the time.
The Sigma 150-600mm f5.0-6.3 Contemporary directly competes with the Tamron 150-600mm f-5-6.3 VC, because both these lenses offer the same focal length and aperture ranges with similar pricing. In addition to this, both the two lenses practically measure & weigh the same, with slight differences here and there.
The lens optics are also constructed with a lot of similarities. It comes with a total of 20 lens elements & 9 diaphragm blades. We have already compared the Tamron 150-600mm g2 Vs. Sigma 150-600mm on a different post. Do check it out to find out more. Sigma claims the 60-600mm to be the world’s first 10x optical zoom telephoto lens with a tele end of 600mm. Except for the high-price, we like the lens a lot!
Conclusion:
The new Sigma 60-600mm f 4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports is definitely a versatile lens, given its range and maintaining its sharpness throughout its focal range, at least in daylight conditions. The build quality and weather coating are good for wildlife photographers. The lens comes with an in-built accelerometer, which helps you to reduce camera shakes and works pretty well.
While the 60-600mm is very similar to the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports optics, it also offers a much more versatile focal range at the short end.
With almost two kilograms in weight, you will definitely need a tripod, since this definitely isn’t for handheld photography. There is a tripod mount-collar, which is much improved on the one that ships with Sigma 150-600mm Sports lens, and it also ships with a high-quality lens hood, shoulder strap, and a padded case.
Overall, if you want a long-range, go with the 60-600mm. If the high price is an issue, we definitely recommend you to go with the 150-600mm lens from Sigma.
We hope you like our comparison of the Sigma 60-600mm vs 150-600mm lenses. Feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments section below. Thanks for visiting!