SIGMA has announced it’s new 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports Lens, which they are claiming is the World’s first 10x ultra-telephoto zoom for mirrorless camera systems.
The 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS is the second full-frame mirrorless zoom lens in SIGMA’s Sports line. It covers 60mm all the way out to an ultra-telephoto of 600mm. This is a very impressive focal range. The L-Mount version of the lens is compatible with the SIGMA TELE CONVERTER TC-1411 (1.4x) and TC-2011 (2.0x). Using a tele converter, the focal length can be multiplied by 1.4x or 2x, for AF-enabled shooting at ultra-telephoto focal lengths of up to 1200mm.
Sigma’s 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens for Sony E has a pretty decent focal range, but the new 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS gets an extra 90mm extra reach on the wide end. This is an impressive feat of optical engeneering.
The lens weighs in at 5.5 lb / 2.5kg and it will be available in both Sony E-mount and L-Mount. To put that weight in perspective, a Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD Lens for Sony E weighs 2.54 lb / 1.2 kg. Essentially, that extra 200mm you get with the Sigma will cost you another 1.3kg in weight. Sigma’s own 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens for Sony E weighs 4.63 lb / 2.1 kg. So essentially Sigma is giving you an extra 90mm and they only trade-off is 400g.
The lens was essentially designed for travel, outdoor sports, wildlife, and safari where it can cover a wide focal range without you needing to swap lenses. The 60-600mm also features 6 stops of Optical Stabilization at the telephoto end and 7 stops at the standard end. The lens is equipped with two OS modes: Mode 1 is suitable for general shooting, and Mode 2 is best suited for fast panning shots, for example in motorsports. In Mode 2, an acceleration sensor combined with SIGMA’s Intelligent OS, an algorithm specially designed for panning shots, enables effective image stabilization even when the camera is moved vertically or diagonally, regardless of the horizontal and vertical orientation of the lens.
A newly designed HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) focusing motor is claimed to offer fast and precise autofocusing. The lens features a typical push-pull action when you need to zoom. In addition, there are three AFL buttons and a Zoom Lock switch that can be locked at all marked focal distances.
The mount connection, manual focus ring, zoom ring, switches, switch panel, and exterior connection are dust and splash resistant. Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic and Thermally Stable Composite have both been used in the manufacturing of the lens.
The lens body incorporates an Arca Swiss-compatible magnesium alloy tripod socket. The leg can be removed and replaced with other interchangeable tripod sockets (sold separately) or attached to a monopod, allowing for a multitude of different uses and situations.
The optical design of the lens consists of 27 elements in 19 groups. This completely new optical design was created for the lens and it features both SLD and FLD glass elements, as well as a multi-material structure to help with balance, durability, and portability. SIGMA employed the latest optical design to effectively correct chromatic aberrations that tend to occur in the ultra-telephoto range.
The minimum focusing distance is 45cm at the wide end, and at the focal length of 200mm, the lens offers a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.4, allowing users to use the lens as a telephoto macro lens.
Price & Availability
The SIGMA 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports will retail for $1,999 USD and it will be available beginning mid-February, 2023.
Competition
When you release a lens with a focal range of 60-600mm there isn’t going to be any direct competition! The closest competition would arguably come in the form of the Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD Lens for Sony E that retails for $1,299 USD. Sony has the FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens ($1,998 USD) but with a 200mm minimum focal reach, it is a stretch to call it competition.
Specifications
The figures below are for the L-Mount version:
- Lens Construction: 19 groups, 27 elements (2 FLD and 3 SLD)
- Angle of view: 39.6-4.1°
- Number of diaphragm blades: 9 (rounded diaphragm)
- Minimum aperture: F22-32
- Minimum focusing distance: 45-260cm / 17.8-102.4 in.
- Maximum magnification ratio: 1:2.4 (at 200mm focal length)
- Filter size: 105mm
- Dimensions (Max. Diam. x Length): 119.4 x 279.2mm / 4.7 x 11.0 in.
- Weight: 2,495g / 88.0 oz.
