Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS

Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS Lens Review

The Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS is a professional-grade telephoto zoom lens designed for full-frame E-mount cameras. As part of Sony's G Master series, this lens delivers good image quality with a robust build. It is versatile for sports, wildlife, and action photography.

Build Quality

The lens exhibits a solid construction, combining metal and high-quality plastic components. It features a dust- and moisture-resistant design, making it suitable for challenging shooting environments. The front element is coated with fluorine to resist fingerprints and smudges, facilitating easier cleaning.

Measuring approximately 8.07 inches (205 mm) in length and weighing about 3.1 pounds (1,395 grams), the lens is relatively lightweight for its class. It includes a removable, rotating tripod collar for improved balance when mounted on a tripod. The zoom ring offers adjustable tension to prevent lens creep, and the lens barrel extends when zooming from 100mm to 400mm.

Optical Performance

The lens comprises 22 elements in 16 groups, including one Super ED and two ED elements, aimed at minimizing chromatic aberrations and ensuring high-resolution images across the zoom range.  At 100mm, the lens delivers solid sharpness, with a decrease in edge performance at 400mm, though still maintaining very good image quality. Some copies may experience issues with decentering. 

While some vignetting and distortion are present at wider apertures, these are generally well-controlled and can be corrected in post-processing.  The optical image stabilization system provides up to five stops of shake reduction, enhancing handheld shooting capabilities. 

Bokeh and Background Rendering

Despite its variable aperture, the lens produces pleasing bokeh, characterized by smooth out-of-focus areas and minimal outlining of highlight discs. Mechanical vignetting can affect the shape of bokeh highlights towards the image corners, but stopping down by one stop mitigates this effect.

The nine-blade circular diaphragm contributes to the lens's ability to render attractive background blur, making it suitable for isolating subjects in sports and wildlife photography.

Autofocus and Handling

Equipped with a Direct Drive SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) and a double linear motor system, the lens offers fast, precise, and quiet autofocus performance.  It includes three customizable focus hold buttons and a focus range limiter switch, enhancing its usability in dynamic shooting scenarios. 

The lens's minimum focusing distance of 0.98 meters (3.22 feet) and maximum magnification of 0.35x allow for semi-macro capabilities, adding to its versatility. 

Specifications

• Focal Length: 100-400mm

• Maximum Aperture: f/4.5-5.6

• Minimum Aperture: f/32-40

• Lens Mount: Sony E-mount

• Format Compatibility: Full-Frame

• Angle of View: 24° to 6°10'

• Minimum Focus Distance: 0.98 m (3.22 ft)

• Maximum Magnification: 0.35x

• Optical Design: 22 elements in 16 groups

• Diaphragm Blades: 9, rounded

• Image Stabilization: Yes (Optical SteadyShot)

• Filter Size: 77 mm

• Dimensions: 93.9 x 205 mm (3.7 x 8.07 in)

• Weight: 1,395 g (3.1 lb) 

Competitors

In the realm of telephoto zoom lenses for Sony E-mount, the FE 100-400mm GM OSS faces competition from several alternatives:

• Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS: Offers extended reach, making it a contender for wildlife and bird photography. While it provides comparable sharpness at 400mm, it is larger and heavier than the 100-400mm GM. 

• Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary: A more affordable option with comparable performance at the lower end of the zoom range. 

• Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS: A lighter and less expensive lens, suitable for those who do not require the extended reach of 400mm. 

Price

As of April 2025, the Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS is priced at approximately $2,498. While it represents an investment, the lens's combination of build quality, optical performance, and versatility may justify the cost for professionals and serious enthusiasts.

Final Impression

The Sony FE 100-400mm is a versatile telephoto zoom lens. Its robust construction, image quality, and effective image stabilization make it a valuable tool for photographers specializing in sports, wildlife, and action photography. While its maximum aperture may be limiting in low-light conditions, the lens's performance and features may make it a worthy addition to the quiver.

Updated: January 2026