The Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS is a full-frame Sony E-mount telephoto zoom lens built for sports and wildlife shooting, covering 100–400mm with a maximum aperture of f/4.5 at the wide end and f/5.6 at 400mm, optical image stabilisation, weather sealing, 9-blade aperture, 22 elements in 16 groups optical design, 77mm filter thread, and a weight of 1395g.
Key Specifications
- Focal length: 100–400mm (full-frame)
- Maximum aperture: f/4.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele)
- Minimum aperture: f/32
- Lens construction: 16 groups / 22 elements
- Aperture blades: 9 (rounded)
- Image stabilisation: Yes (OSS — Optical SteadyShot)
- Minimum focus distance: 0.98m
- Filter thread: 77mm
- Weather sealing: Yes
- Weight: 1395g | Length: 20.5cm | Diameter: 94mm
- Lens mount: Sony E cameras (full-frame FE)
- Lens hood: Included
What makes the Sony FE 100-400mm GM OSS special?
The 100-400 GM sits in a competitive corner of the Sony telephoto lineup. Here's a quick breakdown:
vs. Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN (Sony E): The Sigma is noticeably lighter and considerably cheaper new. The Sony GM gives you a wider maximum aperture at 100mm (f/4.5 vs. f/5), faster and quieter autofocus motors, and the full G Master optical refinement — smoother bokeh rendering and edge-to-edge sharpness that's genuinely useful when shooting at 400mm wide open.
vs. Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS: If pure reach is your goal, the 200-600 covers more telephoto territory and starts at 200mm, making it more specialised for distant wildlife. The 100-400 GM wins on versatility — 100mm is genuinely useful for environmental wildlife shots and indoor sports — and it's more compact, which matters on a long day in the field.
vs. Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS: That's a professional prime in a completely different class. The 100-400 GM is a zoom, lighter, and far more portable. The prime delivers two extra stops of light at 400mm and is designed for elite sports photographers who never need to be anywhere else. Most shooters are much better served by the zoom's flexibility.
The 100-400 GM is also teleconverter-compatible, accepting Sony's 1.4x and 2x TCs to reach 560mm or 800mm — a significant advantage over many competing zooms. The 9-blade rounded aperture also produces noticeably smooth background separation even at f/5.6, which is harder to achieve at longer focal lengths.
Who is the Sony FE 100-400mm GM OSS for?
This lens is ideal for sports photographers, wildlife shooters, and birders who need a versatile telephoto zoom that can switch between subjects at different distances without changing lenses. The 100mm wide end handles environmental shots and indoor work; 400mm reaches distant subjects cleanly. On Sony Alpha full-frame bodies, the combination of AF speed, OSS, and G Master optical quality makes this one of the best all-purpose professional telephoto zooms available.
