Sony FE 100-400mm f5.6-8 OSS Lens

What's new?

The Sony FE 100-400mm f5.6-8 OSS introduces a more accessible route into Sony's 100-400mm telephoto range. While Sony's G Master 100-400mm lenses prioritise brighter apertures and more advanced optical formulas, the FE 100-400mm f5.6-8 OSS focuses on reducing size and weight without sacrificing the versatility of the 100-400mm focal range. Measuring just 78.2 × 164.5mm and weighing only 654g, it is less than half the weight of the FE 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 GM OSS, making extended telephoto photography available in a significantly smaller and lighter package that is considerably easier to carry and shoot handheld.

To achieve this, Sony has simplified the optical construction to 15 elements in 10 groups, replacing the more complex G Master designs while retaining internal focusing, dual Linear Motor autofocus, Optical SteadyShot, teleconverter compatibility, and dust- and moisture-resistance. The result is a telephoto lens for mirrorless cameras that prioritises portability and accessibility yet maintains the core features photographers need for nature photography.

Optical design and image quality

To balance portability with image quality, Sony's simplified optical design incorporates two Extra-low Dispersion elements and two aspherical elements. These special elements suppress chromatic aberration, minimise distortion and maintain sharp, clear images throughout the zoom range. Paired with multi-coating to reduce flare and ghosting, this lens preserves contrast across a variety of lighting conditions. Complementing the optical design, a 9-blade circular aperture produces smooth, rounded background blur that helps separate subjects from their surroundings, allowing wildlife, birds and other distant subjects to remain clearly defined against naturally defocused backgrounds.

The FE 100-400mm f5.6-8 OSS also offers impressive close-up performance for a super-telephoto zoom. Focusing from 1.13m at the wide end and 0.86m at 400mm, it achieves a maximum magnification of 0.41×. This allows flowers, insects and other smaller subjects to fill more of the frame while maintaining a comfortable working distance.

Autofocus and stabilisation

Whether photographing flowers at close range or birds in flight, the FE 100-400mm f5.6-8 OSS uses Dual Linear Motors to deliver fast, precise and quiet autofocus. Designed to lock onto and track moving subjects throughout the zoom range, the autofocus system also supports continuous shooting at up to 30fps on the Alpha 7 V and up to 120fps on the Alpha 9 III with AF/AE tracking on supported cameras.

To further improve autofocus performance, a Focus Range Limiter allows focusing to be restricted to a selected distance range. By preventing the lens from searching across its full focus range, autofocus acquisition is quicker and more consistent when photographing subjects within predictable distances. Once focus is acquired, Optical SteadyShot helps maintain stable framing during handheld shooting at longer focal lengths, where camera movement becomes more noticeable. On compatible Sony cameras, it also works alongside in-body image stabilisation for additional handheld support.

Compact design and handling

One of the defining characteristics of the FE 100-400mm f5.6-8 OSS is its compact, lightweight construction. Measuring just 78.2 × 164.5mm and weighing 654g, the lens is considerably smaller than many lenses covering the same focal range, making it easier to carry for longer periods and more comfortable for handheld photography. Sony complements the compact design with dedicated controls positioned around the lens barrel, including a programmable Focus Hold button alongside AF/DMF/MF, Optical SteadyShot, Focus Range Limiter and Zoom Lock switches. The external zoom mechanism also makes quick adjustments easier throughout the 100-400mm focal range, while the Zoom Lock switch prevents unwanted extension during transport.

What's in the box?

• 1 x Sony FE 100-400mm f5.6-8 OSS Lens
• 1 x Front Cap
• 1 x Rear Cap
• 1 x Lens Hood