I finally pulled the trigger on a Lumix S5II and I am so pumped to get out there and start shooting some birds this spring! Im heading up to Olympic National Park next month so the clock is ticking to find a lens. Ive been looking at the Sigma 150-600mm Sport which everyone says is the king of reach but man it looks like a literal brick to carry on a trail. Then theres the Panasonic 70-300mm which is way cheaper and lighter but I saw some reviews saying 300mm is way too short for small stuff... my budget is capped at $1200 so I cant go for the Leica stuff. Which L-mount telephoto zoom actually gives the best value for wildlife?
Honestly, I think you might want to consider the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary for your trip to Olympic. I have spent a lot of time out on those trails and they are no joke when you are lugging heavy gear around all day. Tbh, the reach on the Panasonic Lumix S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. is definitely going to leave you wanting more when you spot a bald eagle or some smaller birds in the brush. 300mm just doesnt cut it for wildlife unless you are shooting in a zoo, basically. But be careful with the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports... it is a total beast. While the 600mm reach is incredible, carrying that weight on a hike will wear you down fast. I would suggest the 100-400mm as the best value because it hits a sweet spot of portability and performance for around $900. It is much easier to handhold for long periods while waiting for a shot. One thing to watch out for tho is the slower aperture. Since you are using the S5II, you will need to keep an eye on your ISO in those dark Olympic forests. The Phase Hybrid AF on your camera is a game changer for these lenses but it still needs decent light to nail bird eye detection. Make sure to test the autofocus tracking settings before you head out so you dont miss the action.
