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Sigma

100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary

Sony E Mount

100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary — 100–400mm f/5-6.3 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sigma lineup.

$949

Launch price

Released Jul 2020

vs

Sony

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Sony E Mount

The ultimate standard zoom — incredibly sharp, exceptionally compact, and built for professionals.

$2,299

Launch price

Released Apr 2022

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is 1.8 years newer.

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Wins

2categories

100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary

WildlifeVideo & Hybrid

Wins

6categories

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

LandscapeSports & Action

TL;DR — Key differences

100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary wins 1 categories·FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II wins 4 categories
  • A100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/6.3)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Min focus distance (21 cm vs 38 cm)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/5)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Length (120 mm vs 210 mm)

Key specs at a glance

100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS ContemporaryFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Focal Length100-400 mm24-70 mm
Max Aperturef/5-6.3f/2.8
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight1140 g695 g
Min Focus38 cm21 cm
Filter Size77 mm82 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use case100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS ContemporaryFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Portrait
5.5Fair
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
5.0Fair
Landscape
3.0Limited
7.0Good
Travel
5.0Fair
5.5Fair
Wildlife
9.5Excellent
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary supports it

  • Diameter

    81 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED…

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/6.3 — lower is better

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II supports it

  • Min focus distance

    21 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/5 — lower is better

  • Length

    120 mm vs 210 mm — lower is better

  • Weight

    695 g vs 1140 g — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.32 × vs 0.25 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use
  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Pros

  • Outstanding sharpness across the entire zoom range
  • Remarkably small and lightweight for an f/2.8 zoom
  • Four XD Linear focus motors provide blazing-fast AF tracking
  • Excellent close-up magnification
  • De-clickable aperture ring and customized function buttons

Cons

  • No built-in optical image stabilization (relies on body IBIS)
  • High launch price
  • Aperture ring can be easily bumped if not locked

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary and FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II at major authorized retailers.

Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

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Full specifications

= category winner

100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Focal length (Min)
100 mm
24 mm
Focal length (Max)
400 mm
70 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/5
f/2.8+1.7 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/6.3
f/2.8+2.3 stops wider
Elements
23
20
Groups
17
15
Special elements
Aspherical
2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED, 2 Super ED
100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Min focus distance
38 cm
21 cm−17 cm less
Max magnification
0.25 ×
0.32 ×+28%
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
4 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Weight
1140 g
695 g−445 g less
Length
210 mm
120 mm−90 mm less
Diameter
81 mm−7 mm less
88 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Lens mount
Sony E
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.