Sony has announced its new FE 100-400mm f/5.6-8 OSS super telephoto zoom, which sacrifices a faster variable aperture for a smaller and lighter design than the existing FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS.
It is also a more affordable and lightweight alternative to the FE 100-400mm f/4.5 GM OSS Lens that was unveiled earlier in the year.
Unlike the FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS and FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS, the lens is black and not white.
Key features
- E-Mount Lens | f/5.6-8
- Lightweight & Compact Telephoto Lens
- Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization
- Continuous AF/AE Tracking up to 120 fps
- Zoom Lock Switch Prevents Extension
- One Aspherical Element & Two ED Elements
- Dust and Moisture-Resistant Construction
- Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
The FE 100-400mm f/5.6-8 OSS weighs in at just 1.44 lb / 653g. Let’s see how that compares to the FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS and FE 100-400mm f/4.5 GM OSS:
| WEIGHT | |
| FE 100-400mm f/5.6-8 OSS | 1.44 lb / 653g |
| FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS | 3.1 lb / 1.39kg |
| FE 100-400mm f/4.5 GM OSS | 4 lb / 1.84kg |
As you can see, it’s around half the weight of the FE 100-400mm f/5.6-8 OSS and around a third of the weight of the FE 100-400mm f/4.5 GM OSS.
With optics, you can’t have your cake and eat it too, and this is especially true with zooms. If you want something lighter, you are going to have to sacrifice the speed of the f-stop. Having a variable f/5.6-8 aperture would have certainly ruled this lens out for a lot of shooters in the past, but with a lot of the newer mirrorless hybrids and digital cinema cameras having dual and triple base ISOs, that is arguably no longer the case. In saying that, a F/5.6-8 aperture is going to make the lens a better option for outdoor use. It’s important to note that the lens also extends when you zoom.
The lens features an advanced Optical SteadyShot image stabilization system that is claimed to ensure sharp imagery while shooting handheld at even the longest focal lengths. The lens also works with the camera body’s Active Mode image stabilization, and it supports the camera body’s breathing compensation
There is continuous AF/AE Tracking available up to 120 fps. The lens is compatible with both the 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters. The minimum focusing distance is 86cm at the telephoto end and 1.13m at the wide end.
The optical design consists of 15 Elements in 10 Groups inclusing One Aspherical Element & Two ED Elements. There are 9 aperture blades.
It has a front filter diameter of 67mm.
There is a customizable focus hold button, focus mode/range switching dial, and zoom lock switch. The lens features a dust- and moisture-resistant design, and it comes with a lens hood.
Pricing & Availability
The Sony FE 100-400mm f/5.6-8 OSS super telephoto zoom is now available to pre-order for $848 USD. It will start shipping in September.
Below you can see how that price compares to the FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS and FE 100-400mm f/4.5 GM OSS:
| PRICE | |
| FE 100-400mm f/5.6-8 OSS | $848 USD |
| FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS | $2,698 USD |
| FE 100-400mm f/4.5 GM OSS | $4,298 USD |
