{"id":94237,"date":"2026-11-11T09:10:59","date_gmt":"2026-11-11T08:10:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=94237"},"modified":"2026-11-12T09:59:07","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T08:59:07","slug":"review-sigma-100-400mm-f-5-6-3-dg-os-hsm-contemporary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-sigma-100-400mm-f-5-6-3-dg-os-hsm-contemporary\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Sigma 100-400mm f\/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/span><\/h2>\n

Today we’re looking at a somewhat older autofocus telephoto zoom, the Sigma 100-400mm f\/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary, introduced in 2017.<\/p>\n

As part of Sigma’s Contemporary line, it was designed to combine refined optical performance with a compact and lightweight construction.<\/p>\n

After testing Nikon’s AF-S 200-500mm f\/5.6E ED, I decided to go with this lens, mainly because of its lighter and more compact design. I also appreciated the 100mm focal length at the short end, which makes it more versatile when using the same lens for landscape photography. This meant giving up 20% of the telephoto reach, but without making too many compromises in optical quality. It also works perfectly well on APS-C cameras, where the crop factor gives it an equivalent field of view of 150-600mm.<\/p>\n

Let’s see how well it holds up today.<\/p>\n

\"camera-icon2\"I tested this lens on a 46 Mp<\/a> Nikon Z7ii<\/a> (Sample images were taken with a Nikon Zf <\/a>and a Nikon D7200)
\n\"\"You can see this review as\u00a0a\u00a0YouTube\u00a0video\u00a0here<\/a>!
\n\"\"Sample images in high resolution here<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Disclosure<\/span><\/h2>\n

I purchased this lens with my own funds at retail price. No manufacturer or distributor was involved in this review, and all opinions are our own.<\/p>\n

Sample Images<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"\"
Nikon D7200 | Sigma 100-400mm f\/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary | @400 f\/6.3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon D7200 | Sigma 100-400mm f\/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary | @250 f\/6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon D7200 | Sigma 100-400mm f\/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary | @130 f\/5.6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Nikon D7200 | Sigma 100-400mm f\/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary | @240 f\/6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Nikon Zf | Sigma 100-400mm f\/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary | @400mm f\/6.3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Sigma 100-400mm f\/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary | @400mm f\/6.3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\"
Nikon D7200 | Sigma 100-400mm f\/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary | @100 f\/8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Nikon D7200 | Sigma 100-400mm f\/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary | @270 f\/6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Nikon D7200 | Sigma 100-400mm f\/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary | @400 f\/6.3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Nikon D7200 | Sigma 100-400mm f\/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary | @400 f\/6.3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Nikon D7200 | Sigma 100-400mm f\/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary | @400 f\/6.3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Nikon D7200 | Sigma 100-400mm f\/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary | @200 f\/5.6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon D7200 | Sigma 100-400mm f\/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary | @100 f\/5<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Most of the sample images in this review and many more can be found in higher resolution here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Specifications<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Focal Length<\/td>\n100 to 400mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Angle of View<\/td>\n24.4\u00b0 to 6.2\u00b0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
# of Aperture Blades<\/td>\n9, Rounded<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max Aperture<\/td>\nf\/5 to 6.3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Min Aperture<\/td>\nf\/22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Min Focus Distance<\/td>\n1.6\u00a0m<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Filter Size<\/td>\n67 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lens Mount<\/td>\nCanon EF \/ Nikon F \/ Sigma<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/td>\n1160\u00a0g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Size (D x L)<\/td>\n86.4 x 182.3\u00a0mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Elements\/Group<\/td>\n21 Elements in 15 Groups<\/p>\n

4 SLD glass elements<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\"\"
Lens construction | Sigma 100-400mm f\/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Sigma 100-400mm f\/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary on a Nikon Zf via a FTZ II adapter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Where to Buy:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Used: <\/strong>YouTube\u00a0video\u00a0here<\/a>, ebay.de<\/a>, eBay.co.uk<\/a> from $600\u00a0
\n<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Variations<\/span><\/h2>\n

Handling and Build Quality<\/span><\/h2>\n

It is quite compact for a telephoto zoom lens. It is made mostly of plastic, which helps keep the weight down to 1.16 kg. That’s relatively light for a lens with such a wide zoom range. The mounting plate is metal, with a weather-sealing gasket around it.<\/p>\n

Moving from the lens mount towards the front, the first things you encounter are a distance scale window on top of the barrel, showing the focusing distance in both meters and feet, and four switches on the left side of the lens.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Distance scale window | Sigma 100-400mm f\/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first is the FOCUS switch, with AF, MO and MF positions. The focus ring turns smoothly, and you can override autofocus at any time when the switch is set to MO.<\/p>\n

The second switch is the focus limiter, which helps the autofocus work faster and reduces hunting. It has three positions: 1.6m\u20136m, 6m\u2013infinity and Full.<\/p>\n

The third switch controls the OS (Optical Stabilizer), with three positions: OFF, Position 1 and Position 2. Position 1 provides standard, balanced stabilization, while Position 2 disables one axis of stabilization for improved panning.<\/p>\n

The fourth switch allows you to customize some of the functions we just mentioned. You can change the focus limiter range, select one of three AF speed settings (Fast, Balanced or Smooth), and choose between different stabilization modes. However, customization requires Sigma’s dedicated USB Dock, which must be purchased separately.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Switches<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The lens also features a zoom lock switch between the focus and zoom rings. It only locks the zoom mechanism when the lens is fully retracted, at the 100mm position.<\/p>\n

Autofocus is quite fast at the shorter end of the zoom range, but becomes slow at 400mm when racking focus from MFD to near infinity. However, setting the focus limiter to 6m\u2013\u221e makes autofocus very fast.<\/p>\n

The image stabilization also shows its age. It helps, but its effectiveness is rather limited. In our testing, we achieved approximately 1\u20132 stops of stabilization, occasionally reaching 3 stops under the best conditions.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Sigma 100-400mm f\/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Updating the firmware and selecting a different stabilization mode might improve performance. However, I don’t have the required Sigma USB Dock, so I haven’t been able to try either.<\/p>\n

The zoom ring is very large and rubberized, with focal length markings at 100, 135, 200, 300 and 400mm.<\/p>\n

There is no aperture ring on the lens, so aperture has to be controlled through the camera. The maximum aperture varies throughout the zoom range as follows:<\/p>\n