Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS C

Summary

The Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS C is a strong optical performer — a telephoto zoom (150mm equivalent) with f/5 maximum aperture. The lens is priced at approximately ~$1250 USD. Please check the official product page for sample images, manuals, and firmware updates.

Genre Suitability

  • Excellent for: Landscape, Architecture, Portrait, Sport, Wildlife
  • Avoid for: Street, Travel, Macro

Strengths

  • Well-controlled aberrations
  • Smooth, pleasant bokeh
  • Negligible distortion
  • Weather-sealed construction
  • Fast linear motor autofocus
  • Built-in optical stabilization

Specifications 19/20

Optical construction 22 elements in 16 groups (1 FLD, 4 SLD)
Coating Super Multi-Layer Coating
Focal length100-400mm
Max aperturef/5
Sweet spot f/5.6
Aperture blades 9 (circular)
Sunstar points 18 (soft — circular blades)
Max magnification 0.24x
Min focus distance1120mm
AF motorLM
OISYes
Weather sealedYes
Aperture ringNo
Clickless aperture—
Focus ringYes
Focus by wireYes
Distance scaleNo
Rotating frontNo
Tripod mountYes
Weight1140g
Diameter86mm
Length199.2mm
Filter thread67mm
Year2020

Optical Quality 12/14

Center (wide open)
1.5
Corner (wide open)
1.0
Center (stopped)
1.5
Corner (stopped)
1.5
Astigmatism
1.0
Longitudinal CA
2.0
Lateral CA
2.0
Distortion
1.5
Vignetting (wide open)
1.0
Vignetting (stopped)
1.5
Bokeh
1.5
Flare resistance
1.0

Sharpness

  • Good center sharpness wide open
  • Acceptable corner sharpness wide open
  • Good center resolution stopped down
  • Good corner-to-corner sharpness stopped down

Aberrations

  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Moderate astigmatism

Rendering

  • Smooth, pleasant bokeh
  • Moderate vignetting wide open, typical for the aperture class
  • Vignetting clears well when stopped down
  • Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings

Distortion

  • Minimal distortion

All optical scores are based on lab measurements and field tests from trusted review sources. For details on how we score lenses, see our scoring methodology.

Genre Fit

✓ Landscape Good ✓ Architecture Good ✗ Street Avoid ✗ Travel Avoid ✓ Portrait Good ✓ Sport Good ✓ Wildlife Good ✗ Macro Avoid

✓ Landscape Photography 4/5

Landscape Photography prioritizes corner-to-corner sharpness at stopped-down apertures and good flare resistance.

Primary
  • Good corner-to-corner sharpness stopped down
  • Good center resolution stopped down
Secondary
  • Minimal distortion
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Vignetting clears well when stopped down
  • Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings
  • Moderate astigmatism

✓ Architecture Photography 4/5

Architecture Photography prioritizes geometric precision with minimal distortion and even corner sharpness.

Primary
  • Good corner-to-corner sharpness stopped down
  • Good center resolution stopped down
  • Minimal distortion
Secondary
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Vignetting clears well when stopped down
  • Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings

✗ Street Photography 1/5

Street Photography prioritizes sharp stopped-down performance and a fast enough aperture for low light.

Primary
  • Good center resolution stopped down
  • Slow f/5 aperture
Secondary
  • Good center sharpness wide open
  • Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration

✗ Travel Photography 1/5

Travel Photography prioritizes balanced image quality in a lightweight package.

Primary
  • Good center resolution stopped down
  • Heavy at 1140g
Secondary
  • Slow f/5 aperture
  • Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration

✓ Portrait Photography 4/5

Portrait Photography prioritizes smooth bokeh and critical center sharpness wide open for subject isolation.

Primary
  • Smooth, pleasant bokeh
  • Good center sharpness wide open
Secondary
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Moderate vignetting wide open, typical for the aperture class

✓ Sport Photography 4/5

Sport Photography prioritizes sharp wide-open center performance to freeze action at fast shutter speeds.

Primary
  • Good center sharpness wide open
Secondary
  • Slow f/5 aperture
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration

✓ Wildlife Photography 4/5

Wildlife Photography prioritizes center sharpness across apertures for distant subjects.

Primary
  • Good center sharpness wide open
  • Good center resolution stopped down
Secondary
  • Slow f/5 aperture
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration

✗ Macro Photography 2/5

Macro Photography prioritizes stopped-down center sharpness and high magnification for close-up detail.

Primary
  • Good center resolution stopped down
  • Low magnification (0.24x)
Secondary
  • Minimal distortion
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Smooth, pleasant bokeh

Reviews

Dustin Abbott

Alternatives

Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD Fujifilm XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR Fujifilm XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS Fujifilm XF 200mm f/2.0 R LM OIS WR Samyang 300mm f/6.3 ED UMC CS Reflex
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