E-mount Tele Zoom Comparison for Wildlife - Sony 200-600mm vs Sigma 150-600mm vs Tamron 150-500mm
Check price of the Sony, Sigma and Tamron gear on B&H Photo Video*:
- Sony 200-600mm: bhpho.to/3nZMyyB
- Sigma 150-600mm: bhpho.to/3CS7VpD
- Tamron 150-500mm: bhpho.to/3cUAp7n
Today’s Photo Gear Deals & Rebates on B&H: bhpho.to/2QvHVZy
*Mathieu Gasquet and Heather Broster are participants in the B&H Photo Video affiliate program. If you decide to buy something after clicking the affiliate links above, we will receive a small commission.
Text version on:
mirrorlesscomparison.com/e-mo...
My Birds in Flight Test and Ranking:
mirrorlesscomparison.com/best...
Article mentioned on Sony Alpha Blog:
sonyalpha.blog/2020/07/21/sig...
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction, size and weight
1:58 Design: Sony 200-600mm
3:35 Design: Sigma 150-600mm
7:12 Design: Tamron 150-500mm
9:25 Zoom range and fast. apertures
10:10 Sharpness
13:29 Bokeh
14:28 Flare and Other Characteristics
15:33 Autofocus
17:21 Manual Focus and Min. Focus
18:38 Stabilisation
21:32 Teleconverters
23:13 Prices and Conclusion
Very extensive and full depth comparison, thumbs up! Job well done on this review. I was doubting between the Sigma and the Tamron, but seeing your review makes me want to go with the Tamron.
So pleased your back, you were missed. Your honest and accurate non biased reviews are the tops on KZhead, especially for Bird photographers. Glad to see you in 2022. Keep up the great work..
Thank you very much Philip!
This is the test I have been looking for. Thanks for your work!
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent video as always. Good detailed analysis and presentation. You are the only truly objective source of camera gear around so please keep up your excellent work as I rely on your reviews for wildlife and birds. Thanks.
Thank you very much!
Great to see you again. Very comprehensive comparison. Thanks
Great comparison of the 3 zooms. I am very pleased with the purchase of my Tamron 150-500 which I just got yesterday. Your video helped a lot. Good work. THAMKS. Rodrigo
Thanks Mathieu, I was looking at the Sigma and the Tamron, so you have helped me make a decision!
Thanks for a very informative video! I don't like the big knob on the lens hood of the sigma or the tripod foot that could not easily be used as a handle or completely removed. Just those things alone make it a no-go for me. I'm loving my 200 to 600mm on my Sony.
Your quantification of the relative autofocus performance for the three lenses for birds in flight at 16:14 was extremely useful. I wished more KZhead content producers provided quantitative summary analyses.
Thank you!
Nice review, glad to see the Tamron perform so well at that size and price point. That's going to be my next lens. Tony Northrup's channel also did a shootout amongst this zoom range and the Sigma came in last while Tamron was top 5 and the Sony top 3 which is to be expected.
An excellent very informative review! Thank You!
Best lens comparison video I’ve seen, thanks for the comparison images with great description and commentary. 👍😎
Thanks for watching!
I ended up getting the tamron 150-500! I little bit sad to give up the extra 100mm over the sony or the sigma, but I tested all three at my local camera store fist hand. For reference I was upgrading from the sigma 100-400, which had disappointing autofocus. But the margin between the tamron and sony autofocus compared to the size and price savings sold me. I actually prefer the color rendering out of the tamron, and the bokeh rendering feels comparable. So far I have been very happy with the results and don't mind missing the extra reach, especially when using my A7RIII and have plenty of cropping power.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Glad you’re enjoying the Tamron lens!
I ordered the Tamron as well... I'm curious how it will perform and if I stick with it. currently using 24-105G for almost everything on my a7iv I'm experimenting with macro tubes and an 16-50 on my a6600 to have a super tiny dedicated macro rig.
I did the same, how did you find the Sigma 150-600 compared with the Tamron?
Thanks you for providing us this info, maybe helping the rest of us to take a decition - even if not possible to test it in store. I just got my a7 III and want to get into bird and mechanincal bird- photography (also known as planes). Not sure if 500 is too short? Also..can you extend the range which some sort of TC?
hi. after a very tough decision, i also ended up ordering the Tamron 150-500. it will arrive around Dec. i also shoot with A7R III
Best comparison I've seen so far, perfect presentation of results, thanks for video! Superb job!
Thank you very much!
This is exactly the video I needed to see. Thank you!
Thank you for super test! Have a more video and nice photos!
Very helpful and thorough review. Thank you! It helped me decide which lens to go for. I decided for the Tamron. Pretty impressed with it's performance and quality in comparison to the other two, even if I am compromising on length.
Glad to hear! Thanks for the feedback.
This is one of the most detailed and best reviewed videos I've seen, and it helped me a lot with my choice,
Thank you. Glad it was helpful!
Thanks so much for this video! Bought a A9 recently (gave up my old Fuji-system) with the Tamron 28-75 and 70-180 and are looking for a "super-tele-photo" as well. This videos is really useful! ☺
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for the video.Helped me to find my tele lens
Great video! We’ll done comparing the 3 lenses!
Thank you Mathieu, as always very usefull and professional your videos.
Thank you. Great comparison
Outstanding video, thank you for the detailed comparison! New Sony A7iv owner coming from Z6ii purely for the E Mount lens eco-system. Needing a Super Tele is what sold me. Glad to hear to the Tammy is a great option as I've been very impressed with my other 2 Tammy lenses so far. I was shocked to find I preferred the 28-200 over my Superb Nikkor 24-200! (I do miss the 24mm reach, but purchased the Tamron 20/2.8 to compesnate).
Yes, Tamron is doing a good job with the E-mount system!
What a superb review and beautifully produced and presented. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Nice, even-handed, detailed review. I'm now a subscriber.
Thank you!
Really great review, thank you.
This video helped me so much. Thank you!
Iv had the tamron 150-500 for about a year now. Using it for about 12 hours a week. It is a masterpiece. The difference between 500mm-600mm is not something to gripe about. Especially if you are using it on apsc. As it is even less pronounced. The autofocus is very accurate and consistent. The switches feel much nicer than the Sony. Love having that minimum focus distance for what I do.
Thank you for the feedback. Great to hear you're liking the lens!
Great lenses review. Thank you.
really good and structured video 👌
Thank you, excellent review.
I am in between the Tamron and de sigma. I literally don’t know what to do ahahaha I guess the final decision will be after testing in person. Thanks for the amazing review
A recent super-tele comparison review on a different channel mentioned that the Sony has such severe focus breathing that on close subjects (such as small birds) it's actually providing the magnification of about a 350mm lens. Adding extension tubes between the lens and body fixes it but of course that's a giant PITA and puts some big limits on max focusing distance. Would love to see someone else double-check their work.
Can you provide a link.
Really helpful video, thank you so much!
Glad it was helpful!
Great video! I’m saving up for the 70-200 GM II that just came out. It looks like pairing the 70-200 with the 200-600 is the winning ticket because you can get one teleconverter to do both jobs. Really want to get a lens like this that can open up an entire new world of photography beyond 200mm. Excellent video
I read that tele converter is no different than just crop digitally, tele converter is just optical crop, the details won't be as sharp as without tele converter hence better crop digitally
I watched several videos, people in the comments choosing Tamron, I went with Tamron 150-500, I tested all 3 at my local camera shop, I didn’t regret going with Tamron
My 200-600mm on the A7iii creates a really pleasant bokeh when I'm shooting nature and wildlife and there's some distance between the subject and the background. Also when the background is closer I still get some nice dreamy looking layers especially when there's some backlighting. Over all very pleased with the lens.
Useful information. Pls let me know about the video quality. I am planning to buy this lens for Bird photography
Best review of this cameras, hands down
Well explained . Thank you
Another great review! Interesting to see the quality, portability and price of FF options. Although I work with Nikon (apsc and Z), Lumix (m43 only) and Olympus. For wildlife I use Olympus only. A matter of custom and portability. I'm usually more active for Wildlife in European summer (Germany, France and Spain) and South American summer (Brazil and Argentina), always lots of Light! I would like to see a reaction from the m43 system, offering new Cameras, new sensors, new AF and AI technologies, new and excellent lenses (compact and durable), and with more attractive prices compared to FF! My greatest pleasure is being in nature, and the equipment MUST be compact. I don't want Bazookas and tripods. Fingers crossed for the m43 system! If not, I'll just use Nikon.
Thank you! Let’s hope the new camera teased by OM System will have new exciting specs.
Vidéo très complète et très éclairante ...malheureusement j'avais déjà acheté le Sigma et le Tamron me fait plus que de l'œil car le Sigma est vraiment difficile à employer à main levée.
EXCELLENT COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Great video! Thank's for sharing! Just rented the Tamron 150-500 for use with my A7III. No matter what I did, I couldn't get a single image sharp and clearly focused past 300mm. It was a rental lens so I'm hoping that was the issue - but the image quality I got was NOWHERE near what I'm seeing in your demos. I'm new to bird photography but know a thing or two about cameras so I don't think it was any settings issues on my part. Wondering if you have any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks!
Hi Jack, sorry to hear you had a bad experience with the Tamron. It is possible you rented a bad copy, these things happen with lenses. Recently I had to ask a second sample of a Fuji lens because the first had an optical quality issue. Sony cameras are not difficult to configure for wildlife, so I doubt there was something wrong on your camera. The only thing I can think of is maybe you were using shutter speeds that were too slow for the camera/lens IS to handle past 300mm?
Thanks for the great video.
Mathieu thanks for this professional video!!
Glad you liked it!
Went owl photography the last couple with days with my 70-200mm, and it's not cutting it, I'm going to upgrade to this one
Buen video, para una sony a 6700, cual de los tres recomiendas teniendo en cuenta calidad precio, thanks.
Welcome back ! Almost 6 months... trust you & your Wife/ Partner are well and OK.
Thank you, we’re fine 😊
Fine review, I have got the Sony 200-600, but I do not like zoom Lenses and this are too heavy and big. I wish for prime tele Lenses like 300mm 4.0, 400mm 4.5 and 500mm 5.6.
Yes! Following Nikon’s example would be great.
Thanks Mathieu for this extensive and deep review of the three big zooms for Sony!! I just got tha Tamron 150-500 and it is working very well as you say, but I have noticed a continuous whinning noise audible only in a silent place, not outside. The noise can be listened from the very on of the camera, without touching anything and no matter the AF or the VC are on or off. Did you notice something similar when you used the Tamron?
Hi Javier, no I didn't really notice any unusual noise. Is it quite loud?
@@MathieuGasquetMirrorLessons Thank you very much Mathieu for your answer! No, the noise is not loud, I can only hear it when everything is quiet. Not outside, where the noise of nature is louder and prevents from hearing it. I have seen that other people have notice the same noise, but not everybody. It may be dependent on the specific unit of the lens. At any rate, th lens performs very well, as you say. I am very happy with it.
as someone with an a6000 and a tight budget ill probably settle for the tamron. whilst the 70-350 is even cheaper i think its not tight enough for me :(
Thank you for the video, definitely leaning towards Tamron!
Let me know how you find the Tamron lens.
good review, thank you
Thanks for watching!
Hello I own an A7iii I'm planning to buy either 200-600 or Sigma 150-600 since it's 40 percent cheap where I stay what do you recommend
Perfect review! I was comparing the Sony with the Sigma, another review said that the Sony was better at subjects moving towards the camera and that the 1.4x tc is not worth it since the sharpness gets a lot worse, but you actually said the sharpness doesn't get affected a lot with the tc so it might be a QC issue. I never thought I'd give the Tamron a chance since it let's in less light and is 500mm instead of 600mm. After this review I'm wondering if I should buy the Sony or the Tamron 😂
Thanks. I guess it depends if you need (or will need) the teleconverters.
@@MathieuGasquetMirrorLessons Yeah i'm planning on using the lens to photograph wildlife of any kind, also on safari's. So I guess I'll need the TC.
Do you always shoot with stabilization on when you shoot BIF? Great review. Thanks. If so # 2 for panning or # 3 ?
The honest answer is that often, I forget to check which setting I have :-) More seriously, I choose #2 for panning, or #3 for static subjects. That said, if you are working with a shutter speed of 1/2000s, or similar, it doesn't make a lot of difference having OSS on or off.
Can you also test Tamron 150-600 G2 version please
Thank you very mucho for the review. 2 years later, considering all the software updates releases, do you still thinking that the sigma is "the worse" of these 3 lenses? I was thinking about buying the sigma because of the 600mm focal, not considering the Tamron, but now I don't know what to do. Here in Spain, there is about 500e difference between the Sony (1560e) and the Sigma (1100e), being the Tamron the cheapest one at 1019e. What would you do looking this price difference? (Sony a7iii user) Thanks again!
Man cant wait to get the fuji telefoto review, when they finally become available.
I’ll work on Fuji 100-400 vs 70-300 next.
Hi Mathieu, have you had a chance to review the Sigma 150-600mm after it got it's firmware update to version 3? One of the changes is "Improved tracking performance when the camera’s focus mode is set to AF-C". Would be cool to see, if the only real minus on the Sigma lens is gone now. But anyway, thanks for the good video
No, unfortunately I haven't found the chance to test the lens again.
Thank you very much for ur video 👏
Great review!
Thanks!
I managed to get an amazon return deal on the 200-600 for less money even than the tamron. Fingers crossed everything is alright with the lens
Let me know when it arrives!
@@MathieuGasquetMirrorLessons Probably today 👀
14:15 AWESOME SHOT!
Excellent, thanks 👍
A very nicely made video, with helpful and clear informations. My choice - already a view days ago - was the Sony 200-600 mm in combo with my A7RIII 😇
Thanks. I own the 200-600mm too. Great lens!
@@MathieuGasquetMirrorLessons Sure 😇🍻
Nice video, thank you!
Thank you for watching!
Native lenses are always going to work better with the camera, however not everyone can afford the native lens. I tried the Tamron and it’s not a horrible lens but it wasn’t for me. I wasn’t happy with the results I was getting. If you can swing it, go with the native lens.
Great comparison! Probably best over internet. Is tamron with firmware update or without? Because stabilization got little improvement after update
Not sure, when did the firmware come out?
ok sorry for question, didn't read date, firmware update was this month, so you couldn't test with update :D
Oh I see, I missed the news. If they improved the stabilization, that’s a good thing. Unfortunately, I don’t have the lens anymore so I can’t double check myself.
Nice review. I think that m43 still has an edge. In my opinion for full frame cameras 600mm is the minimum requirement for serious wildlife shooting.
Having used both, I’d say full frame is still my preference. I think 500mm is more than enough, especially with an A1 or A7RIV where you have tons of crop. The advantage in low light performance and huge advantage in AF have me way happier than I was with my EM1ii and PL100-400. Far more keepers. I wish I preferred MFT for sure, it’s a fair bit lighter.
As usual, Best lens Review. As a M43 user, this tamron plus A7iii are getting very close In price to the last M43 arena where still wins. Zoom / price/ size.
Thank you. Yes the 150-500 was a smart move from Tamron. Although the 2x crop factor of m4/3 is useful for wildlife.
excellent review
Thanks!
Thank you
Really good video!
thanks!
Sigma is currently developing a firmware update to improve the auto focus and image stabilization on the 150-600. Should do a retest afterwards.
Nice from Sigma to do that. Not sure when I’ll have the chance to test the lens again though.
@Mathieu Gasquet Indeed, it is. They promise 5-6 stops of image stabilization with the update and improved AF.
Can you do review on Sony 200-600 mm vs Nikon 200-500mm lens
I'll keep your suggestion in mind. Thanks!
There is an update available for the sigma for better autofocus speed. Would be interesting, if you could add this to your test.
Thanks, I'm aware but to be honest, I don't know when I'll have the chance to test the lens again.
this info here at 9:47 was very helpful
Thanks!
Which one should i to buy for birding Sigma 150-600mm or Tamron 150-600mm?
Do you mean Tamron 150-500mm? There is a 150-600mm for DSLRs.
$1299 DG DN sale today at B&H!
Sorry, I have an important question, is it possible to use the sony 2x teleconverter in the Tamron 500mm lens? I'll use it for surf photography & the tanrom likes me cause it's light & portable. But really I want to know if there's a chance to use the teleconverter on it
No unfortunately, the Tamron lens is not compatible with teleconverters.
In terms of videography, which one do you think is better?
Get a cine lens
The dust is a problem in the tamron, never seen anything like it
I use the Tamron with my A6600 and get a great photo at 750 with stabilisation in the camera and lens. I am very pleased.
Thanks for the feedback. It's a very nice lens!
Had you tested the tamron 50 400?
Not yet, I'm afraid.
Im getting Tamron 35-150 f2-2.8 and this.
How can I use Sigma 500 or 600 mm lens , with canon eos , 4000 D ?
You need the EF version of those lenses, and they should work with the 4000D.
Nice comparison.
Thanks!
Hello, is it possible to use Sony a mount lens on canon eos r ?
Technically, I don't think it would be impossible, but I'm not aware of any adapter designed for that specific combination.
I have canon eos 4000d how can I use this Len on this camera ?
You can’t, these are designed for mirrorless cameras, the 4000d is a DSLR.
Just picked up a mint 150-600 for $1100. Waiting on my A7iv.
Good price! I received my A7 IV yesterday. Let me know how do you find the combo after you start using it.
where did you buy it???
@@vivash2785 Quan Tran is my go to guy from Dallas. Highly recommended.
@@vivash2785 $1299 deal on B&H today only.
It's nice having a comparison between 3 comparable lenses but using the Sony with A1 or A7R4 but the Sigma and Tamron always with A7M3 dosen't give a fair comparison ! Between 24, 50 and 61mp it's completely logical to see a difference in sharpness and details ! This comparison should be done again, but all lenses tested with the same camera, at best with the A7R4 so we could see how they all handles the resolution.
This comparison doesn't need to be done again. The sharpness test was made using the A7R III. Not only I say it in the video, I even show a picture of the camera! The A7 III was used for the AF test, and that is also stated in the video. The A1 and A7R IV images are just a few extra samples.
Is this Sigma Sports? Or Sigma Contemporary?
1:19 But it's the Sports version designed for mirrorless cameras, not the one available for DSLRs.
Hi Mathieu.... superb & indepth review..i loved your honest & impartial comparison which many don't do...I have been hearing some users facing some focusing issues with Sigma...since I am planning to buy one of these Zoom lens for mainly Landscape photography with some Bird & Wildlife photography which would be your final recommendation...currently there is a discount scheme on Sigma 150-600 so its infact slightly cheaper than Tamron 150-500 but that doesn't matter since i consider lens as long-term investment. I use a Sony A7RIII currently with Sony 24-105 G & Sigma14-24mm... looking at the build quality & performance of Sigma 14-24mm i was actually tilting towards Sigma but I am little confused now frankly between Sigma 150-600 DG DN OS SPORT & Tamron 150-500 Di III VXD...Thanks in advance!!
I would buy the Tamron. It has a faster AF and the quality is fantastic. Plus, you have an A7R III so you can crop a little when 500mm is a bit short.
@Mathieu Gasquet Thank you so much for your recommendation ❤️ In your video you had mentioned that except for Autofocus performance on fast moving subjects, Sigma had good image quality, easier manual focus [used in Landscape photography] and of course has 100mm more on the long end so any information on filmware update on Sigma which could nail the autofocus bit...thanks
I have not heard of any firmware update for the Sigma yet.
Glad to inform you that my Tamron 150-500 Di III VXD VC lens finally arrived today...this was direct result of your great review and comparison plus advice 👍 Cheers !!!
That's great! Enjoy the lens and let me know how do you like it!
I do not see any differences in the performance of the lenses!!
I'm comparing the tamron with the sigma.. the only thing good on the sigma is that it has 100mm more length... but also heavier...
Sony blocks Sigma and Tamron to sell TC. I don't see how this is legal, but the current business laws state this - the bigger and stronger dictate what the smaller and weaker can do.
2:22 I have been using 200-600 for a long time. There is absolutely no chance for 200-600 to zoom creep from gravity, due to its inner zoom design. From lots of practical usage, I can confidently say a zoom lock is useless
What psychos are taking off the tripod mounts?
The same psychos who design lenses with removable tripod mounts, I guess.
Haha!