Sony has officially announced the new FE 100-400mm f/4.5 GM OSS, a super-telephoto zoom designed for wildlife, birding, sports, and photojournalism work.
I recently had the good fortune of spending some time with the new lens on the sidelines of an MLS match, shooting the Seattle Sounders — and in my opinion, this is exactly the kind of constant-aperture, long-reach G Master zoom that Sony's professional sports and wildlife shooters have been waiting for. Let's take a look at what makes this lens such a compelling addition to the acclaimed lineup of Sony G Master lenses.
Key Features
- 100–400mm super-telephoto zoom range with a constant f/4.5 maximum aperture
- 20–28 elements including ED XA (extra-low dispersion extreme aspherical), XA, Super ED, and ED glass
- Nano AR Coating II for reduced flare and ghosting
- 11-blade circular aperture for smooth, refined G Master bokeh
- Four XD (Extreme Dynamic) Linear Motors with up to 3x faster autofocus and up to 50% improvement in subject tracking versus the previous model
- High-speed AF tracking at up to 120 frames per second during burst shooting
- Optical SteadyShot with multiple modes (Mode 2 / Mode 3) for static subjects, panning, and unpredictable motion
- Inner-zoom design with internal focusing and floating focusing groups
- 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverter compatibility, extending reach up to 800mm
- Minimum focus distance of 0.64–1.5m with a 0.25x maximum magnification
- Weight: 1,840 g (65 oz); 95mm front filter / 40.5mm drop-in filter
- Dust and moisture-resistant construction with fluorine coating on the front element
A New Optical Formula for the G Master Lineup
In typical Sony fashion, the FE 100-400mm f/4.5 GM OSS leans heavily on the optical advancements that have come to define recent additions to Sony's premium telephoto lineup. The 20–28 element formula combines ED XA, XA, Super ED, and ED glass to suppress chromatic aberration, spherical distortion, and field curvature across the entire 100–400mm range — which is no small feat in a constant-aperture super-telephoto zoom. The 11-blade circular aperture is engineered to produce the smooth, refined bokeh G Master lenses are known for, with reduced onion-ring artifacts that should be especially welcome at long focal lengths where subject separation is everything.
Just as importantly, the lens utilizes both an internal focusing mechanism and a floating focusing system. That means consistent image quality across varying focus distances and a center of gravity that doesn't shift as you rack focus.
On the Pitch: Shooting an MLS Match With the Seattle Sounders
For me, this is where the new 100–400mm really started to shine. Shooting sidelines at an MLS Sounders match is exactly the kind of run-and-gun environment a super-telephoto zoom has to handle — fast subject movement, constant focal length adjustments between near-side play and far-side goal action, and the relentless pressure to capture decisive moments without missing a beat.
Four XD Linear Motors deliver autofocus performance that Sony rates as up to 3x faster than the previous model, with a 50% improvement in subject tracking accuracy — and on the pitch, that improvement was immediately noticeable. The lens locked onto players quickly, held focus through fast direction changes, and stayed glued to subjects breaking toward goal. Paired with a Sony a9 III body, the lens can track at up to 120 frames per second during burst shooting, and that blazing-fast tracking made nailing keeper shots-on-goal incredibly easy.
The constant f/4.5 aperture also made a meaningful difference for me. Not having to manage exposure shifts as I zoomed in and out of the action kept my workflow consistent throughout the match, and the inner-zoom design kept the lens balanced and predictable in hand from the opening whistle to the final stoppage.
Inner-Zoom Build and Versatile Operability
At 1,840 g (roughly 65 oz), the FE 100-400mm f/4.5 GM OSS sits on the lighter end of the spectrum for what it offers, and the inner-zoom design keeps the lens balanced whether you're shooting handheld in run-and-gun situations or mounted on a tripod or monopod. Operability is where Sony's professional G Master lenses really shine, and this one is no exception: a customizable function ring, four focus hold buttons, an AF/MF focus mode switch, full-time DMF support, a focus range limiter, an OSS on/off switch, and an OSS Mode switch (Mode 2 / Mode 3) give you fine-grained control without ever needing to leave the eyepiece.
The lens also features a tripod collar with a ring-clicking select switch, a 40.5mm drop-in filter slot to complement the 95mm front filter thread, and full compatibility with Sony's 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters — pushing the reach all the way out to 800mm while maintaining AF performance and image quality. Weather sealing, sealed seams, silicone rubber gaskets at the switches, and a fluorine-coated front element round out a build that's clearly purpose-built for working in less-than-ideal conditions.
Pricing and Availability
The Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5 GM OSS is expected to retail at approximately $4,299 USD ($5,599 CAD), with availability beginning in early June.
Final Thoughts
After spending time with the new FE 100-400mm f/4.5 GM OSS on the sidelines of an MLS match, I can confidently say this lens is set to become a serious new workhorse in the G Master telephoto lineup. A constant f/4.5 aperture, a substantial improvement in autofocus and tracking over the previous model, an inner-zoom design that doesn't shift weight, and the kind of weather-sealed build you can take out into the field for an entire shoot day.
For me, this lens checks every box that working wildlife, sports, and photojournalism shooters care about. Sony Alpha shooters who demand reach, speed, and reliability in a single super-telephoto zoom should look no further than the new Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5 GM OSS.
What's your take on Sony's new FE 100-400mm f/4.5 GM OSS? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
7 Comments
What was the impact of the extra weight? The original 100-400 was easy to handle.
No impact for me personally. I handheld the lens the entire game and it didn't feel heavy to me at all. I'm used to hand holding the 200-600 so this is much lighter than that for my use. The additional weight over the V1 is more than worth my exposure not shifting as I zoom, the dust getting into the elements from the pumping of an external zoom, and overall speed, design, and optical improvements. Definitely go test drive it if you can. It's a stellar update IMHO.
Reza...Im thinking of moving to the E-Mount Family.
I was looking at the Sony SEL-2470 GM2 F2.8, then SEL-70200 GM2 F2.8 and the Sony SEL-200600 G F5.6-6.3 .but I don't want a ton of lenses or having to switch all the time. Would you think the A7V coupled with Sony SEL-2470 GM2 F2.8 and a Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5 GM OSS with the option of a 2x converter is doable? Is the 100-400 manageable from the size?
Hi there! The A7V with the 24-70 GM II and 100-400 F4.5 GM OSS will make for an excellent setup! The only change I would make is to start with the 1.4x TC, as that will still extend your reach enough, without too much of a penalty on aperture and sharpness.
The 70-200 is a fantastic lens. I noticed that you chose 24-70 F2.8 and not the the 28-70 F2 and I think that is a wise choice. The F2 was too heavy and I did not feel you get anything extra for higher price.
Thanks for this review. I have ordered this lens for a very similar use case: photographing our granddaughters’ soccer matches where, as you pointed out, you need to be able to zoom rapidly throughout the full range. My purpose is not to only shoot the action around the goal. But to be able to capture good action that includes players both near and further down the pitch. I tried to use a 300 2.8 for a couple of years and it was far too limiting. I have tried the 200-600 but it isn’t as wide as I would like when the action is closer. For the past two years I have been using a 70-200 GM II with a 2x extender and it has worked well enough. But as our granddaughters get older they are now moving to larger fields and 400mm is not always long enough. I have the 1.4x extender and will use that to give me a bit more reach when capturing action further down the pitch or along the far sidelines. My camera is an A1 II which has sufficient cropping room for that to work well. It will be heavier and I am older now. But I expect it will work well with a monopod. And to cover the cost I will sell my 70-200 and 200-600 as in my case they become redundant.
Excellent strategy Dan! The 1.4x TC is my personal favorite for extending my 300 GM as well. I also shoot the A1 II, and given the additional resolution and your workflow, this new setup will make for an excellent upgrade. The new 100-400 is much lighter than the 200-600, so you will love being able to have a faster and lighter lens that can still be extended to reach the focal lengths beyond 400mm ;)