Sony announced the upcoming release of the “FE 100-400mm F4.5 GM OSS” super telephoto zoom lens. Release date schedule is on Friday, June 5th. The aperture is fixed at f/4.5 throughout the entire zoom range, delivering the high image quality characteristic of the G Master series.
What is the Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5 GM OSS?
| focal length | 100-400mm |
| Focal length image | 150-600m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.25x |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.64 (W) – 1.5 (T) m |
| filter diameter | Φ95 (front filter) / 40.5 (insert filter section) |
| External dimensions: Maximum diameter × length | Φ119.8×328mm |
| mass | 1840g |
| accessories | Front cap (ALC-F95S), rear cap (ALC-R1EM) , hood (ALC-SH187), soft case (LCS-LTS) |
Fixed Aperture of f/4.5
Exposure changes are minimized during zooming through fixing the maximum aperture across the zoom range, making stable shooting easier. Maintaining shutter speed during zooming also helps reduce camera shake and subject blur when photographing fast-moving subjects such as sports and wildlife. Furthermore, it allows for easy zooming while keeping the aperture and shutter speed fixed during video recording, making it suitable for video production.
The optical design incorporates the latest technology. The lens configuration consists of 20 groups and 28 elements (including one filter), aiming to reduce various aberrations, including spherical aberration and chromatic aberration. In addition to employing two Super ED glass elements and three ED glass elements, it is equipped with one newly developed ED XA (Extra-low Dispersion Ultra-High Aspherical) lens and one XA (Ultra-High Aspherical) lens, achieving stable high-resolution performance from the center to the periphery of the image across the entire zoom range.
ED XA and XA lenses are also effective in suppressing onion ring bokeh. When combined with an 11-blade circular aperture, they make it easier to maintain a circular shape from wide open to slightly stopped down, resulting in natural and smooth bokeh.
Nano AR Coating Applied
The lens employs Sony’s proprietary “Nano AR Coating II.” By applying a uniform thin film to the entire lens surface, it suppresses ghosting and flare even in backlit conditions, resulting in clear image rendering. In addition, the front element is coated with fluorine to make it resistant to dirt and water droplets. Designed with outdoor shooting and long-duration use in mind, it also prioritizes practicality.
High-speed and high-precision AF performance that keeps the subject in focus and captures the decisive moment.
The AF drive employs four XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors optimized for the latest optical design. Furthermore, by combining a floating focus mechanism with the latest control algorithms, high-speed and high-precision autofocus performance is achieved. AF speed is up to approximately three times faster than before, and subject tracking performance is up to approximately 50% better than before.
In addition, it supports high-speed continuous shooting with AF/AE tracking at up to approximately 120 frames per second, the same speed as the full-frame mirrorless camera “α9 III”. It maintains stable focus tracking performance even during high-speed continuous shooting, and is strongly geared towards scenes that require high speed performance, such as sports and wildlife photography.
The lens employs an internal focusing mechanism. Because the overall length of the lens does not change during focusing, it is designed to minimize shifts in the center of gravity, making stable shooting easier. Furthermore, the floating focus mechanism achieves both improved focusing performance and overall lens weight reduction by reducing the weight of the two-part focus lens group.
Furthermore, it is compatible with separately sold 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters. When attached, it is possible to shoot up to 800mm, and in APS-C crop mode, it supports super-telephoto shooting equivalent to up to 1200mm. Even when a teleconverter is attached, it maintains the image quality that is characteristic of the G Master series.
| Telephoto focal length | No teleconverter | 1.4x teleconverter | APS-C 1.4x Teleconverter |
2x Teleconverter | APS-C 2x Teleconverter |
| FE 100-400mm F4.5 GM OSS | 400mm F4.5 | 560mm F6.3 | 840mm equivalent F6.3 |
800mm F9 | 1200mm equivalent F9 |
| FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS | 400mm F5.6 | 560mm F8 | 840mm equivalent F8 |
800mm F11 | 1200mm equivalent F11 |
| FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS | 600mm F6.3 | 840mm F9 | 1260mm equivalent F9 |
1200mm F13 | 1800mm equivalent F13 |
| FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS | 800mm F8 | 1200mm F11 | 1800mm equivalent F11 |
1600mm F16 | 2400mm equivalent F16 |
The lens uses a lightweight magnesium alloy for its exterior, keeping the weight down to approximately 1840g. As a 100-400mm class lens with a fixed f/4.5 aperture, it is designed with portability in mind, reducing strain during long shooting sessions.
Lightweight design and inner zoom structure provide high mobility.
The zoom mechanism employs an inner zoom structure. By minimizing changes in weight balance during zooming, stable handling performance is achieved. In addition, optimized zoom torque enables smooth and quick zoom operation.
The “FE 100-400mm F4.5 GM OSS” lens achieves a weight of approximately 1,840g while maintaining both an inner zoom structure and a fixed aperture of F4.5. On the other hand, the “FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS” employs a retractable zoom structure and weighs approximately 1,395g. Furthermore, the “FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS” also employs an inner zoom structure and weighs approximately 2,115g.
Operability and reliability to meet professional needs
The controls are also designed with professional and advanced amateur users in mind. The layout prioritizes ease of use during shooting, including the four focus hold buttons, focus ring, and zoom ring.
The function ring assigns to any function, allowing you to set frequently used functions such as APS-C/full-frame switching from the camera body. Furthermore, the zoom ring is positioned where the MF ring was located on prime G Master lenses, making it easier to operate without large hand movements.
Furthermore, it is equipped with a focus mode switch, a full-time DMF switch, and a focus range limiter, allowing for fine adjustments according to the shooting situation.
The image stabilization function features a dedicated switch and a mode switch, allowing users to choose between MODE 1 for standard shooting, MODE 2 for panning shots, and MODE 3 for framing stability when shooting moving subjects.
The tripod mount features a click switch that allows you to turn click stops on or off every 90 degrees, as well as a switch to adjust the zoom feel. This allows you to adjust settings according to your intended use and shooting style.
It also features a security slot and a tripod mount lock knob. This design takes into account improved manageability when the unit is permanently installed in press centers, studios, or remote shooting environments.
The Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5 GM OSS also employs a drop-in filter mechanism, and a 40.5mm diameter drop-in filter (normal) is included as standard. Furthermore, a drop-in circular polarizing filter “VF-DCPL1” is available as an optional accessory, with an estimated market price of around 55,000 yen (including tax).
