The Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS (Amazon, B&H) is primarily a photography lens, though it will be used for video.
In this article let’s take a comprehensive look at the important features and specifications of the Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS and see how good it will perform specifically for video, cinematography and filmmaking.
The aim of this article is to provide you with enough information and perspective so you can decide for yourself whether this lens is right for your film or video.
Important: This article is a comprehensive overview of the lens with available information; and an analysis based on our experience shooting for almost two decades. It is not a hands-on review. If and when we get hold of the lens we’ll be sure to publish a detailed review. If this is not your cup of tea you can stop reading.
[show_if not_contact][sony_a7s3][/show_if]
Click to what you want quickly:
- TLDR;
- Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS vs Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS
- Features:
- Control:
- Basics:
- Alternatives to the Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS
TLDR;
What you need to know for video work about the Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS (Amazon, B&H):
- The Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS is a kit telephoto lens. The image quality is not up to par when zoomed in.
- This could be a decent lens for nature documentaries, wildlife filmmaking, sports coverage due to its versatility in focal length, with the caveat about image quality above.
- The variable f/4-5.6 maximum aperture can be problematic for low light work. With Sony’s newer sensors it’s better than it used to be.
- 9 circular blade aperture for smoother, better bokeh.
- Customizable button on the lens body.
- The lens does have image stabilization with Optical Steady Shot. With cameras that have IBIS you can expect even better Image stabilization.
- Sony claims that their motors work together with Eye AF to provide precise and quick autofocus for video. This also supports contrast AF and Phase Detection AF.
- It exhibits breathing.
Can be useful for the following types of filmmaking:
- Wildlife filmmaking
- Sports Filmmaking
- Documentary filmmaking
- Corporate videos and low budget commercials
Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS vs Sony 70-200mm f/4 GM OSS
| Lens | Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS | Sony 70-200mm f/4 GM OSS |
| Filter Thread | 72mm | 72mm |
| Size | 84mm x 143.5mm | 80mm × 175mm |
| Weight | 854g | 840g |
| Closest focusing distance | 0.9m / 2.96ft | AF: 1-1.5m / 3.28-4.93ft MF: 1-1.35m / 3.28-4.43ft |
| Max. Aperture | f/4.5-5.6 | f/4 |
| Min. Aperture | f/22-29 | f/22 |
| Aperture Blades | 9 blades | 9 blades |
| Angle of View (Diagonal) | 34 °–8 °10′ | 34°-12° 30′ |
The Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS (Amazon, B&H) is slightly heavier and bigger but somehow shorter than the Sony 70-200mm f/4 G OSS (Amazon, B&H).
The Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS has a constant closer minimum focusing distance than the FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS. FE 70-200mm f/4 has a constant, bigger aperture of f/4. The FE 70-300mm also has a much larger focal range.
Upon comparing the official MTF charts of both the lenses you can infer that Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS has similar sharpness and consistency than the Sony 70-200mm f/4 G OSS at 70mm.
It falls apart at the other end of the telephoto range. This is one situation where you might want to compare them to know for sure, especially when budget is an issue.
Features
Coverage
The Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS (Amazon, B&H) is a full frame lens. It is designed to completely cover a sensor the size of 36mm x 24mm.
If you are considering this lens for an APS-C sensor or other cinema camera, check out this article:
Focal Length
The minimum focal length is 70mm. This is considered telephoto on a full frame 35mm sensor.
The maximum focal length is 300mm. This is considered super telephoto on a full frame 35mm sensor.
This versatility in focal range can be very useful for telephoto work, interviews, close ups, wildlife filmmaking.
Aperture
The variable maximum aperture is f/4.5-5.6 and the variable minimum aperture is f/22-29.
Having f/4.5-5.6 is manageable for low light. Especially when you pair this with Sony and their sensor’s ISO capacity.
The Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS (Amazon, B&H) has 9 circular diaphragm blades. One expects a smooth bokeh, considering the number of blades, but it’s not always a given.
To know more about bokeh:
Resolution
From Sony’s official MTF charts:
At 70mm, the Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS (Amazon, B&H)) is sharp enough in the center and has a slight falloff towards the end.
Whereas, at 300mm, the Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS is sharp enough in the center and has better than the performance at 70mm.
With the variance in the Sagittal and Tangential lines, you can infer (somewhat) that the bokeh won’t be proportionally smooth as the best prime lenses on the planet.
If you are curious and want to read the MTF chart for yourself. Here’s a guide on how to read them easily.
Close Focus
The closest focusing distance has two modes and can be controlled by a close focus switch on the lens. The two modes are
- in full position : 0.9m – infinity
- in 3m-infinity position: 3m – infinity
This promotes versatility of the lens which can do close ups, macros and as well as telephoto shots.
Image Stabilization
The Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS (Amazon, B&H) lens does have 5 axis Optical Steady Shot image stabilization. Using it with a camera that has IBIS (like the Sony Alpha 1 or the a7S III) you get even better stabilization.
Built in Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilisation minimises the effects of camera shake when shooting handheld, making it easier to capture crisp, clear images that realise the lens’s full potential. Optical SteadyShot™ is effective at all focal lengths, and significantly increases your opportunities for great shots even in low-light conditions.
Sony
Control
Manual focus system
The Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS has an infinite turn ring for its focus ring and can turn infinitely one way or the other. Sadly, it does not have the option to switch from focus by wire to fly by wire.
What is the meaning of focus by wire and fly by wire?
Focus by wire: Let’s say you turn the focus ring to change focus from point A to B. You’d expect the focus to shift accordingly. When you stop point B will be in focus. Now bring the focus point back to A and try again, but at a different speed. Slower or faster, doesn’t matter. Now, even if you precisely rotate to the exact same degree, the focus will not be on point B! The speed of rotation determines which point it is focused on. That’s just completely useless for follow focus work. If an actor or person moves at a different speed, evens lightly, you’ll never get the same focus. Avoid focus by wire lenses like the plague (for video work).
Fly by wire: The distance of focus shifted is directly proportional to the speed at which the ring is turned. This is how a manual focus ring is supposed to operate for video and cinematography.
This decision to exclude fly by wire or linear MF by Sony could lead to cinematographers and videographers thinking twice before choosing this lens for their next shoot.
Autofocus system
Sony’s Autofocus is, without a doubt, one of the most revered video autofocus systems in the world. Sony claims that the FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS is faster and more precise than other lenses. They claim that this lens supports contrast AF and Phase Detection AF. The switch on the side of the body to switch from autofocus to manual focus is very useful too.
The advanced actuator maximises autofocus speed and precision with the widest possible range of subjects and shooting situations. Focus operation is smooth and quiet too, making it an advantage for movies as well as stills.
Sony
Zoom ring
The Zoom ring allows you to shift the focal range from 70mm to 300mm and anywhere in between.
There is a zoom lock which will help you carry the lens with ease. It will keep the lens locked at 70mm. The lens does extend by approximately 3 inches at 300mm.
Basics
Filter Thread
The Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS (Amazon, B&H) has a filter thread diameter of 72mm. This is a common filter diameter.
Build Quality
The majority of the lens exterior is plastic, though the lens doesn’t feel cheap.
The optical design consists of 16 elements in 13 groups, including ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass and aspherical lens elements.
Size and Weight
The Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 84mm and a length of 143.5mm. It weighs around 854 grams.
Weather resistance
Sony claims that all G lenses are weather resistant. But again this only holds true if the camera body you will be using is also weather sealed. No camera is truly and officially weather sealed, so the best you can hope for is reliable weather resistance.
This is a G series lens and we can expect it to perform as such.
What’s in the box
This is what you get in the box (other than the lens):
- Hood (ALC-SH144)
- Lens front cap
- Lens rear cap
- Case
The hood might be useful for photography, but the shape and design makes it mostly vestigial for video work. Some people like to put it on to protect the front element in case of a fall. The hood takes the impact and shatters, but saves the lens. I’d keep it on unless you have good reason not to.
Alternatives to the Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS Lens
The Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS (Amazon, B&H) is a kit telephoto zoom lens. There are no alternatives to this lens at least in this focal length. Taken by itself I won’t recommend it for professional work but it can come in handy under some situations.
If you don’t need the 70-300mm focal length range, then you can consider:
- Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS (Amazon, B&H) – Expensive, more blades, wider and constant aperture, compatible with teleconverters.
- Recommended: Sony 70-200mm f/4 G OSS (Amazon, B&H) – Around the same price range, wider and constant aperture, slightly lighter and longer.
I hope you found this overview of the Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.
Super info. Many thanks. I like it.
You are welcome!