Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
Launch MSRP
$2,500- Weight
- 1,395g
- Filter
- ⌀77mm
- Min focus
- 0.98m
- Max mag.
- 0.35×
- Formula
- 22E / 16G
- Released
- 2017
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 1x Super ED
- 2x ED
- Nano AR Coating
- Fluorine Coating
- Aperture range
- f/4.5–5.6 — f/32
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 1,395g
- ⌀ × length
- 93.9 × 205.0mm
- Filter
- ⌀77mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Optical
- Teleconverter
- 1.4x · 2.0x
- AF speed score
- 8.9 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.98m
- Max magnification
- 0.35× (1:2.9)
Optical character
The original G Master super-telephoto zoom set the template for compact wildlife lenses on Sony E: 1395g, 77mm filters, and a 205mm barrel that extends as it zooms. It focuses down to 0.98m for 0.35x magnification, which makes it as useful for dragonflies and flowers as for birds and field sports.
One Super ED and two ED elements control longitudinal colour, and a double linear motor combined with a DDSSM unit drives focus. The zoom ring has adjustable torque, the front element is fluorine coated, and both Sony teleconverters are supported for 560mm or 800mm at the long end.
Reviewer consensus
Testers rate it sharp across the range, with strong centre resolution wide open and corners that tighten by f/8. Chromatic aberration is low and bokeh is smooth for a zoom. Performance with the 1.4x converter holds up well; the 2x costs more contrast and AF speed.
The main criticisms are the f/5.6 long end and the price, which stayed high once the 200-600 G arrived. Newer lenses, including Sony's own constant-F4.5 replacement, focus faster, but reviewers still consider this one of the best-balanced 100-400s for mirrorless.
Owner sentiment
Owners value the size: it hand-holds easily for hours and fits in a normal backpack. The close focus and the adjustable zoom-ring torque get frequent mentions, and many pair it with the 1.4x for birding.
Complaints focus on the price, the extending design pulling in dust over time, and the tripod foot, which many replace with an Arca-compatible part. Some find AF tracking a step behind newer XD-motor lenses on fast birds in flight.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +Sharp across the range
- +1395g, hand-holdable
- +0.35x close focus
- +Works with 1.4x and 2x converters
- +Adjustable zoom torque, fluorine coating
Weaknesses
- −f/5.6 at 400mm
- −Extending zoom
- −Expensive versus the 200-600 G
- −Stock tripod foot is basic
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 9.0
- Bokeh Rendering
- 8.4
- Autofocus Speed
- 8.9
- Flare Resistance
- 8.5
- Build / Sealing
- 9.0
- Value / Size
- 7.6
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Sony E (FE) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 100–400mm |
| Category | Super-Telephoto |
| Maximum aperture | f/4.5–5.6 |
| Minimum aperture | f/32 |
| Construction | 22 elements in 16 groups |
| Special elements | 1x Super ED · 2x ED · Nano AR Coating · Fluorine Coating |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | Double Linear Motor + DDSSM |
| Minimum focus | 0.98m |
| Max magnification | 0.35× |
| Stabilisation | Optical |
| Teleconverters | 1.4x, 2.0x |
| Weight | 1,395g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 93.9 × 205.0mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀77mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2017 |
| Launch MSRP | $2,500 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- electronics.sony.com/imaging/lenses/full-frame-e-mount/p/sel100400gm
- sony.co.uk/electronics/camera-lenses/sel100400gm/specifications
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_FE_100-400mm_F4.5-5.6_GM_OSS
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSFE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS vs 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Contemporary
- VSFE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS vs FE 100-400mm F4.5 GM OSS
- VSFE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS vs FE 100-400mm F5.6-8 OSS
- SigmaContemporary
100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Contemporary
100–400mmF5–6.3- WT
- 1,140g
- FLT
- ⌀67mm
- MFD
- 1.12m
- MSRP
- $949
AFSTAB - SonyG Master
FE 100-400mm F4.5 GM OSS
100–400mmF4.5- WT
- 1,840g
- FLT
- ⌀95mm
- MFD
- 0.64m
- MSRP
- $4,300
AFSTABWR - Sony
FE 100-400mm F5.6-8 OSS
100–400mmF5.6–8- WT
- 654g
- FLT
- ⌀67mm
- MFD
- 0.86m
- MSRP
- $850
AFSTABWR
