On 21 February, SIGMA launched the all new SIGMA 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS | Sports. A handu-size 500mm that offers a whole new shooting experience, with clear, sharp images and amazing mobility. 

The SIGMA 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS | Sports is an ultra-telephoto prime lens that features a 500mm focal length with outstanding image quality in a remarkably compact and lightweight body. Thanks to its incredible size, weighing almost 2 kg less that the SIGMA 500mm F4 DG OS HSM | Sports, it´s perfect for hand-held shooting. It offers a whole new photographic experience for wildlife, aviation, sports and other fast-action photographers.

With a high-speed AF with a linear motor HLA (High-response Linear Actuator), it enables fast and accurate autofocus even in ultra-telephoto photography, such as sports and bird, where extremely precise focusing is required. It also has the OS2 algorithm in optical stabilizer that provides an outstanding image stabilization effect. Thanks to its dust and splash resistant structure, you can count on the lens even when the weather fails you. 

Join us for a first look at this powerful lens, for some first impressions from the real world!

What makes the SIGMA 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS | Sports stand out?

The SIGMA 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS | Sports is the srystallization of technology. A whole new ultra-telephoto experience. 

• Top-level optical performance
• Its amazing mobility weighing only 1365 g, almost 2 kg lighter than the 500mm F4 DG OS HSM | Sports 
• Excellent backlight resistance, prevents flare and ghosting
• High-speed AF with a linear motor HLA, enables fast and accurate autofocus
• Optical stabilizer with OS2 algorithm provides an outstanding image stabilization effect
• Dust and Splash resistant
• Arca Swiss compatible tripod socket
• "Made in Aizu, Japan" craftsmanship

Photographer: Santeri Laamanen
SIGMA 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS | Sports, 1/1000, ISO 12 800

Photographer: Guillaume Bily

First Impression by nature and wildlife photographer Olle Nilsson

Swedish nature and wildlife photographer Olle Nilsson loves to photograph nature and real wild animals, and he does it extremely well. Having tried the SIGMA 500mm F4 DG OS HSM | Sports, he was very excited to hear about the lower weight of the new 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS | Sports, and to see how it would perform. 

"- My first thought when I opened the box was how small and handy the lens seemed. And after having used it for a week, I´m still impressed by its size. To have a 500mm almost the same size as a 70-200mm is incredible. I also like how solid it feels, I think it feels well-built and you won´t have to walk on egg shells when handling it, being scared that it will be damaged", Olle says. 

Olle brought the 500mm F5.6 | Sports out in the woods, looking for some birds and wild animals to photograph, and, in our opinion, he managed to capture some amazing photos of the Swedish wildlife with this lens. 

Photographer: Olle Nilsson
SIGMA 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS | Sports

"- The image quality, to me, is very good. I think the sharpness is great and the subject really pops in a way only prime lenses seem to be able to do. Together with some nice micro-contrasts and a lovely and soft bokeh, there is a nice 3D effect to the photos. Especially when the subject is close. Also the built-in Arca Swiss compatibility is a big plus in my eyes", Olle continues. 

"- So with the image quality and the flexibility of the size, I consider it a perfect lens for sports and wildlife, especially if you´re walking around a lot and have to think about the amount of packing, but still have the possibility of professional image quality," Olle ends with.

See more of Olle´s work at his website, Instagram and YouTube.

First Impression by photographer Niklas Virsen

The SIGMA 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS | Sports is perfect for wildlife, sports, aviation and other fast-action photographers who wants to pack a little lighter, without compromising on the optical performance. It´s exclusively for mirrorless cameras, compatible with full-frame cameras and available in Sony E-mount and L-Mount. 

Photographer: Santeri Laamanen
SIGMA 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS | Sports, 1/500, ISO 12 800