Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports Lens

Durable high performance, redesigned with the photographer in mind

A broader world of photography. A deeper level of expression. Thanks to the high-performance telephoto zoom that feels right in every situation.

The Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM | S is a unique lens in the photo industry. Its design is based around high speed superior optical performance. Created for Full Frame sensors, it may also be used with APS-C sized sensors as well. It has an array of technology to guarantee the highest level of image quality. This technology includes a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM), an Optical Stabilizer, Inner Focusing and Zooming System, SLD and FLD Glass Elements (FLD has a performance equal to fluorite).

The HSM ensures quiet, high speed, accurate autofocusing while the OS allows for use of shutter speeds approximately 4 stops slower than would otherwise be possible. Super Multi-Layer coating reduces flare and ghosting working together with the SLD and FLD glass elements for maximum correction of chromatic aberrations. An inner focusing and zooming system produces sharper images throughout the entire zoom range. With a large fixed aperture of F2.8 the 120-300 is capable of handling any lighting scenario.

A professional 300mm F2.8 telephoto with powerful zoom capability, this lens allows complete customization, so you can tackle tough situations with ease.

Offering excellent image expression and a low F-number, the large-aperture 300mm F2.8 lens is a favorite piece of equipment among professional photographers. With the idea of taking this spec to the next level with powerful zoom capability, SIGMA developed the 120-300mm F2.8 zoom lens. It is difficult to compose shots with traditional 300mm lenses. In the case of sporting events, performances on stage and other situations in which it is difficult to change your position, you often lose the desired shot in the process of changing lenses. A large-aperture 120-300mm F2.8 zoom lens, however, eliminates the need for most lens changes, allowing the photographer to adjust zoom and easily achieve the desired framing. Even in the most difficult of situations, this lens truly empowers photographic expression.

Embodying the concept of our Sports line of lenses, this lens responds directly to photographers' needs with outstanding action-capture performance.

In addition to the highest levels of optical performance and photographic expression, SIGMA's new Sports line of lenses offers the kind of action-capture performance that precisely executes the intentions of the photographer. Uncompromising optical performance and photographic expression allow the photographer to shoot fast-moving and distant subjects, while exceptional functionality makes possible excellent shots even in the most challenging of situations. The SIGMA 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM｜Sports is the first lens to embody the concept of the Sports line. Fully customizable, it allows the photographer to create his or own specification. It is an ideal choice for photographing many different subjects; birds, wild animals, airplanes, motorsports, and even portraits. And SIGMA's exclusive software makes the lens extremely easy to customize.

Enhanced usability in every way

Take the photo you want - even in the most challenging situations. Enjoy the highest levels of durability and usability.

This lens features durability that stands up to challenging photographic situations and hard use demands along with the intuitive and enjoyable usability that photographers need. Since the lens uses SIGMA's inner focus and inner zoom technologies, adjusting the focus and zoom rings does not change the length of the lens, resulting in excellent hold for the selected ring positions. Since the front of the lens does not move, the lens is compatible with a circular polarizer. In every way, SIGMA has designed the lens for exceptional usability. The zoom ring is textured to allow fingers to find the correct position easily. Designed for seamless integration with the rest of the lens, the four control switches feature carefully placed lettering and buttons and specially shaped screws. The lens hood has also been completely redesigned, even down to the screws that connect it to the lens, and the newly designed tripod collar provides for connection to a camera strap.

A powerful tool for handheld photography of distant subjects Optical Stabilizer

This lens features SIGMA's proprietary OS (Optical Stabilizer) offering superior stabilization. Thanks to this technology, the lens is a powerful ally to photographers shooting distant subjects without a tripod. Two OS modes are available: Mode 1 for regular photography, and Mode 2 for use in shooting motorsports and other situations in which subjects are moving quickly. By connecting the lens to the separately sold USB dock, users may adjust OS function in detail.

Note: This function is not available with film SLR cameras with the exception of the Nikon F6 and Canon EOS-1v.

TSC (Thermally Stable Composite)

Conventionally it is considered essential to leverage the qualities of metal and polycarbonate in camera and lens layout design. A first for the industry, the barrel of the new series of SIGMA lenses features a new TSC (Thermally Stable Composite)* that offers minimal thermal shrinkage combined with exceptional hardness. It also offers 25% greater elasticity than polycarbonate. Since its thermal shrinkage is low, TSC matches well with metal parts, further contributing to the high-precision construction of the lens.

*TSC (Thermally Stable Composite) offers thermal expansion characteristics similar to those of aluminum. Parts made with TSC deform less, making possible lens construction of extremely high precision. Compared to polycarbonate containing 20% glass, a commonly used material, TSC offers approximately 70% higher elasticity, and compared to polycarbonate containing 30% glass, it offers 25% higher elasticity. (Comparison is between SIGMA-produced components.)

Specially designed cam for smooth zooming

The specially designed cam makes possible smooth and rhythmical zooming, allowing photographers to find the right focus instantly and shoot with perfect timing.

Compatible with the newly developed tele converters.

Tele Converters that are newly designed to match the new lens line-ups (optional) can be attached. The addition of SIGMA’s TELE CONVERTER TC-1401 or TELE CONVERTER TC-2001 produces a 168-420mm F4 AF telephoto zoom lens or a 240-600mm F5.6 AF telephoto zoom lens respectively. SIGMA 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM｜Sports equipped with the firmware version 1.0.1 for SIGMA, version 1.0.2 for NIKON, version 1.0.3 for CANON or later is fully compatible with the SIGMA TELE CONVERTER TC-1401 and SIGMA TELE CONVERTER TC-2001. You can confirm or update the firmware version using the SIGMA USB DOCK. Otherwise, please refer to our World Network of service centers.

Designed for exceptional resistance to dust and water

Ready for the toughest photographic conditions, this extremely durable lens gives you peace of mind - and results.

This lens is ready for all the tough situations that pros encounter. The mount connection area, manual focus ring, customization switch and other controls, switch panels and cover connection areas are all designed to be dust and water-resistant. The zoom and focus rings are also designed for exceptional usability in real-world circumstances.

A refined, integrated design made with the photographer in mind.

All lenses in SIGMA's new Sports line come with a hood with a high-quality rubberized connector and feature a newly designed lens cap and AF/MF switch, and are designed for intuitive use and superior functionality. Inside, HSM (hypersonic motor) delivers high AF speed and extremely quiet performance. An enhanced algorithm offers even smoother automatic focusing. Full-time manual focus override is another key feature that leaves the artistic touches in the photographer's hands.

F2.8 brightness throughout the entire zoom range

This lens incorporates two FLD (“F” Low Dispersion) glass elements, which have performance equal to fluorite, and one SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass element to minimize chromatic aberration. Since it also minimizes sagittal coma flare and coma at the edges of the image, it is able to rival a fixed-focus lens in image quality.

Exclusive low-dispersion glass

The degree to which light is refracted by glass depends on the light's wavelength. This fact causes different colors of light to focus at slightly different points. The result is chromatic aberration, the color fringing that is particularly noticeable in telephoto lenses. Most chromatic aberration can be removed by combining a high-refractivity convex lens element with a low-refractivity concave element. Yet residual chromatic aberration known as “secondary spectrum” may still remain.To minimize this secondary spectrum, which can be a serious issue with conventional lenses, SIGMA lenses feature up to three types of exclusive low-dispersion glass offering superior performance: ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion), SLD (Special Low Dispersion) and FLD (“F” Low Dispersion). In particular, FLD glass offers ultra-low dispersion in combination with high transmittance and the anomalous dispersion characteristics of fluorite. Meticulous deployment of these types of exclusive low-dispersion glass and optimization of power distribution gives SIGMA lenses superlative image rendition undiminished by residual chromatic aberration.

An all-new, all-premium lineup

Superior functionality across the lineup, thanks to SIGMA's proprietary new A1 MTF measuring system. There are three requirements for outstanding lenses: fine design, precise manufacturing and inspection that ensures compliance with all specifications. SIGMA lenses are born of well-thought-out design concepts and sophisticated, advanced Japanese manufacturing technology; the final clincher is our lens performance evaluation. We used to measure lens performance using conventional sensors. However, we've now developed our own A1* proprietary MTF (modulation transfer function) measuring system using 46-megapixel Foveon direct image sensors. Applying this system, we check each lens in our new lines at our Aizu factory, our sole production site. Even previously undetectable high-frequency details are now within the scope of our quality control inspections, allowing us to deliver consistently high lens performance. Our MTF system has the capability to test lenses for full-size 20+ megapixel 35mm digital SLR cameras. 
*A1：Aizu １

Rivaling a fixed-focal length lens in image quality

Featuring F2.8 brightness and rivaling a fixed-focal length lens in image quality throughout the entire zoom range

Offering excellent image expression and a low F-number, the large-aperture 300 mm F2.8 lens is a favorite piece of equipment among professional photographers. While taking this spec to the next level with powerful zoom capability, SIGMA has also used two lens elements made of fluorite-equivalent FLD (“F” Low Dispersion) glass and one element made of SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass, which help minimize chromatic aberration and provide image quality that rivals that of a fixed-focus lens.

46-megapixel Foveon direct image sensor

The 46 effective megapixel (4,800 × 3,200 × 3 layers) and 44 recording megapixel (4,704 × 3,136 × 3 layers) 23.5 × 15.7mm APS-C X3 direct image sensor captures all primary RGB colors at each and every pixel location, ensuring the capture of full and complete color. Using three silicon-embedded layers of photo detectors, stacked vertically to take advantage of silicon's ability to absorb red, green and blue light at different respective depths, it efficiently reproduces color more accurately, and offers sharper resolution, pixel for pixel, than any conventional image sensor. Since color moiré is not generated, the use of a low-pass filter is not required, meaning light and color, generated by the 46-megapixel APS-C X3 direct image sensor is captured with a three-dimensional feel.

Ultra-high precision and quality—all made in Japan

Optimizing quality with our integrated production system, SIGMA is focused on making things right, with our own hands and our own techniques. We are now one of the very few manufacturers whose products are solely "made in Japan." We like to think our products are somehow imbued with the essence of our homeland, blessed as it is with clean air and water, and focused, hard-working people. We pride ourselves on the authentic quality of SIGMA products, born of a marriage between highly attuned expertise and intelligent, advanced technology. Our sophisticated products have satisfied professionals and lovers of photography all over the world, because our manufacturing is based on genuine craftsmanship, underpinned by the passion and pride of our experts.
 

Performance Data

Sample Photos

What's in the box:

• Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Lens
• Lens Case
• Lens Hood
• Front Lens Cap
• Rear Lens Cap
• Shoulder Strap
• Tripod Socket