The new Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS/Sports, available for L-Mount and Sony E-mount, is the company’s first sports lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras. Although Sigma has two lenses designed for DSLRs with similar specifications, (the150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary and the 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports), the new model implements a number of improvements. Sure, the 150-600mm Sports lens may not be your everyday wedding lens but might come in useful for high school senior portraits, photos of athletes, dynamic sports shots and nature shots. And, if you’ve ever wanted a super-telephoto zoom for your L-mount or Sony E-mount camera at a reasonable price, this lens should pique your interest. And at its widest angle, it focuses as close as about 23 inches.

One goal for the new lens was enhanced optical quality to match (or come close to) a 600mm prime lens. MFT charts appear to show improvements over the other two super-telephoto models in terms of suppressing anomalies such as coma and lateral chromatic aberrations as well as astigmatism. In addition to 25 elements in 15 lens groups (including 4 FLD and 2 SLD elements), the lens is water- and dust-resistant and the front element is coated to repel water and oil. All practical features for outdoor use.

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Physically, Sigma has managed to shrink the size and weight while maintaining a solid build thanks to the use of aluminum and TSC (Thermally Stable Composite) parts. At about 4.6 pounds and measuring approximately 10.3 inches in length, the new mirrorless Sports lens is now smaller and lighter than its DSLR peer by about 2 pounds. And it’s much closer in size and weight to its contemporary sibling. With 4-stops of optical image stabilization, the lens can be handheld.

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Sigma promises fast and accurate autofocus and has equipped the lens barrel with several useful controls. In addition to a MF/AF switch, there’s a trio of AFL buttons, a focus limiter (full, 10m to infinity, minimal distance to 10m), an OS switch with two modes and an off option. You’ll also find two custom options to control the optical image stabilization view (this can be turned off). The zoom ring can be adjusted for smooth turning, a tighter torque (which also helps to prevent lens creep) and a lock setting.

The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS/Sports will be available on August 27 for $1,499. For more information, go to: sigmaphoto.com