Sony’s New FE 100–400mm F4.5 GM OSS

Is Built For Speed, Reach & All-Day Shooting

Preorder yours from B&H for 4,299.99.

In addition to the new a7R powerhouse Sony just announced the new Sony FE 100–400mm F4.5 GM OSS, a super-telephoto zoom aimed squarely at wildlife, sports and photojournalism shooters who need reach without giving up mobility.

At first glance, it looks like Sony took the familiar 100–400mm formula and pushed nearly every part of it further: faster autofocus, a brighter constant aperture and a redesigned internal zoom system that keeps the lens balanced while shooting handheld.

The headline feature is the constant F4.5 aperture across the entire zoom range. Unlike the previous FE 100–400mm GM, which ramps from F4.5 to F5.6, this new version maintains brightness all the way to 400mm. That’s a meaningful upgrade for action shooters working in inconsistent light or trying to maintain shutter speed without pushing ISO higher than necessary.

High rest and super fast.

Sony says autofocus performance is up to three times faster than the previous generation when paired with the Sony Alpha 9 III. The lens uses four XD Linear Motors and updated tracking algorithms designed to keep up with fast-moving subjects like birds in flight or athletes moving unpredictably across a frame.

Physically, Sony kept the lens surprisingly manageable for what it is. The FE 100–400mm F4.5 GM OSS weighs about 1,840 grams (roughly 4 pounds) and uses an internal zoom design, meaning the lens doesn’t extend as you zoom. That keeps the center of gravity stable and makes handheld shooting feel more predictable — especially useful when tracking subjects at longer focal lengths.

Optically, the lens gets the full G Master treatment with ED XA, XA, Super ED and ED elements working together to control aberrations and maintain sharpness edge-to-edge. Sony is also promising the signature G Master rendering and bokeh from its 11-blade aperture design.

For hybrid shooters, the lens supports breathing compensation on compatible Alpha bodies and includes built-in stabilization that works alongside in-body stabilization systems.

The new lens is also teleconverter compatible, stretching reach to 800mm with a 2x teleconverter — or 1,200mm equivalent in APS-C crop mode.

Pricing lands firmly in pro territory: $4,299.99, with availability scheduled for June 2026.

For photographers already invested in Sony’s E-mount ecosystem, this feels less like a niche update and more like Sony refining one of the most important lenses in its lineup for modern action and wildlife shooting. Faster AF, constant brightness and improved handling are the kinds of upgrades that matter in the field — especially when the shot only lasts a fraction of a second.

Sample Photos