Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master OSS review

A super-telephoto zoom with G Master credentials, this lens is reasonably compact but goes large on performance

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS
(Image: © Future)

Digital Camera World Verdict

A sophisticated lens with refined handling characteristics, this is so far the only super-telephoto zoom in Sony’s acclaimed G Master line-up of top-grade lenses for E-mount mirrorless cameras. As such, it’s designed to combine excellent sharpness with soft and dreamy bokeh, and succeeds in its aims. That’s despite a modest aperture rating of f/4.5, shrinking to f/5.6 towards the long end of the zoom range. The size and weight are easily manageable for a super-tele zoom but it’s pretty pricey to buy.

Pros

  • +

    Great sharpness and contrast, with nice bokeh

  • +

    High-end handling characteristics

  • +

    Compatible with 1.4x and 2x tele-converters

Cons

  • -

    Pricey to buy

  • -

    Lacks the reach of Sony’s FE 200-600mm zoom

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There’s no denying the versatility and usefulness of a 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom but you can often find yourself coming up short in telephoto reach. One answer is to add a 2x tele-converter but that’s generally a poor substitute for stepping up to a purpose-built super-telephoto lens. This 100-400mm lens is so far the only super-telephoto zoom in Sony’s G Master stable. As such, it delivers a classic range of powerful telephoto focal lengths, along with a typical variable aperture rating of f/4.5-5.6.

Specifications

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Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.