OM System Announces a new 150-600mm f/5.0 – 6.3 lens. Is it really a Sigma lens?

OM System recently announced a new M.Zuiko 150-600mm f/5.0 – 6.3 lens. This lens fills a void in OM Systems long telephoto line up providing a lower priced option for a long lens instead of the pricey OM System 150-400mm f/4.5 with a built in 1.25x Teleconverter.

But is this new OM System lens really a Sigma lens with OM System branding? Since its announcement, rumors have surfaced that this lens is just a rebranded version of the Sigma 150-600mm lens built for full frame cameras.

I normally don’t like to write blogs based on rumors circulating on the Internet, but I feel this is important to understand given the higher price point of this lens. Now that the lens is available and there is more information out there on the lens, let’s look at the facts.

**OM System and Sigma L-Mount 150-600mm Comparison**

Lens Appearance

Looking at the above photograph, the OM System 150-600 f/5 – 6.3 does resemble the Sigma 150-600 for the L-Mount and for the Sony. The switches are in a different location and the tripod collar adjustment knob is smaller on the OM System model. Both lenses have an Autofocus Lock (AFL) button.

Sigma does vary the design of the 150-600 lens across the different camera systems. The Canon and Nikon versions of the lens look different than the Sony and L-mount models.

Based on the similarity in the appearance and features of the lenses, it is possible that the OM System lens is manufactured by Sigma.

Specification Comparison

Let’s move on to the specifications of the different 150-600 lenses. In the table below, I have compared the different specifications and features for the OM System lens, the Sigma L-Mount model, and the Sigma for Canon EF Sport model.

Many of the specification are the same across the lens models. The maximum aperture, minimum aperture, filter size, number of diaphragm blades are all identical.

All the lenses have some type of weather sealing and image stabilization (although the OM Systems lens does have Sync IS). The dimensions of the OM System lens is the same as the Sigma L-mount, and the weight is very close to the full frame L-Mount lens. More on the OM System lens dimension and weight below.

It’s looking more and more like this may be the same lens design as the Sigma lens.

150-600mm f/5-6.3 Lens Specification Comparison

	OM System	Sigma L-Mount	Sigma Canon EF Sport
Maximum Aperture	f/5 to 6.3	f/5 to 6.3	f/5 to 6.3
Minimum Aperture	f/22	f/22 – 29	f/22
Image Stabilization	Sync-IS (7 EV Steps wide, 5 EV Steps tele)	Yes – 4 Stops	Yes
Filter Size	95mm	95mm	105mm
Angle of View	8.2° – 2.1°	16.4° to 4.1°	16.4° to 4.1°
Max Magnification	.35x (wide) / .2x (tele)	.34x	0.2x
Min Focus Distance	22.05” / 56 cm	22.8″ / 58 cm	102.36″ / 260cm
Optical Design	25 Elements in 15 Groups	25 Elements in 15 Groups	24 Elements in 16 Groups
Diaphragm Blades	9, Rounded	9, Rounded	9, Rounded
Weather Sealing	IPX1	Yes	Yes
Dimensions (diameter x length)	4.3 x 10.4” / 10.94 x 26.4 cm	4.3 x 10.4” / 10.9 x 26.4 cm	4.76 x 11.43″ / 12.1 x 29.02 cm
Weight	4.55 lb / 2065 g	4.63 lb / 2100 g	6.29 lb / 2860 g
Price	$2,699	$1,499	$1,699

OM System Long Telephoto Zoom Size and Weight Comparison

Below I compare the size and weight of the new OM System 150-600mm with the Olympus 100-400mm f/5 – 6.3 and the OM System 150-400mm f/4.5 with the built in teleconverter.

While the lens is a little bit smaller than the expensive 150-400mm f/4.5 lens, it is heavier than the 150-400 which also has a built in teleconverter. The weight of the new 150-400mm lens seems quite heavy for a micro four thirds lens, leading to the conclusion that the lens design was for full frame.

	150-400mm f/4.5	100-400mm f/5 – 6.3	150-600mm f/5 – 6.3
Dimensions (diameter x length)	4.6 x 12.4″ / 115.8 x 314.3 mm	3.4 x 8.1″ / 86.4 x 205.7 mm	4.3 x 10.4” / 10.99 x 26.4 cm
Weight	4.14 lb / 1880 g	2.46 lb / 1120 g	4.55 lb / 2065 g

First Impressions and Concerns

It doesn’t concern me if Sigma is manufacturing lenses for the OM System brand. This is frequently done in other industries like appliance manufacturing.

I do have a couple of concerns about the new OM System 150-600mm f/5 – 6.3 lens.

First is the weight of the lens. One of the advantages of the Micro Four Thirds system is the size and weight of the equipment. It makes it easier to carry and travel with the equipment. This is especially true for bird and wildlife photographers who use longer telephoto lenses. This lens is heavier than the flagship OM System 150-400mm f/4.5 Pro Lens and over 2 pounds heavier than the Olympus 100-400mm f/5 – 6.3.

The second concern is the price. The lens could be a nice alternative to the 150-400mm f/4.5 or the 300mm f/4 lens but it is priced about $1,200 higher than the Sigma 150-600mm lens for L-Mount or Sony.

Stayed tuned for the next blog on how this new lens fits in the roadmap and considerations for buying the new OM Systems 150-600mm f/5.0 – 6.3 lens.

Written by Martin Belan

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