The Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM 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 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM 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.
Here is an official showcasing of the FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS when paired with the Sony FS7II
Click to what you want quickly:
- TLDR;
- Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS vs Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 Contemporary
- Features:
- Control:
- Basics:
- Alternatives to the Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS
TLDR;
What you need to know for video work about the Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS (Amazon, B&H):
- The Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS is a great telephoto to super telephoto zoom lens.
- This could be a great lens for nature documentaries, wildlife filmmaking, sports coverage due to its focal length.
- The variable f/4.5-5.6 maximum aperture can be problematic but should be good enough for low light work, especially when pairing it with Sony’s newer cameras.
- 9 circular blade aperture for theoretically smooth bokeh.
- Compatible with Teleconverters.
- A removable tripod mount is provided with the lens.
- Customizable zoom ring.
- Multiple 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 great for the following types of filmmaking:
- Wildlife filmmaking
- Sports Filmmaking
- Documentary filmmaking
- Astronomy filmmaking
- Corporate videos and low budget commercials
Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS vs Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary
| Lens | Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS | Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary |
| Filter Thread | 77mm | 72mm |
| Size | 93.9mm x 205mm | 86.0mm x 199.2mm |
| Weight | 1,395g | 1,140g |
| Closest focusing distance | 0.98m / 3.22ft | 100mm- 1.12m / 3.67ft 400mm- 1.6m / 5.24ft |
| Max. Aperture | f/4.5-5.6 | f/5-6.3 |
| Min. Aperture | f/32-40 | f/22-29 |
| Aperture Blades | 9 blades | 9 blades |
| Angle of View (Diagonal) | 24° – 6°10′ | 24.4° – 6.2° |
| Price | $2,498 | $949 |
The Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS (Amazon, B&H) is slightly heavier and bigger than the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (Amazon, B&H).
The Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS has a constant closer minimum focusing distance than the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3. The. FE 100-400mm also has a bigger aperture of f/4.5 at 100mm.
Upon comparing the official MTF charts of both the lenses you can infer that Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS has slightly better sharpness and consistency than the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary.
It is better to test them yourself to know if the difference is worth it.
If you need that GM quality image, autofocus performance and a wider aperture, your choice is clear. You get what you pay for.
Features
Coverage
The Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM 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 100mm. This is considered telephoto on a full frame 35mm sensor.
The maximum focal length is 400mm. 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, travel filmmaking.
Aperture
The variable maximum aperture is f/4.5-5.6 and the variable minimum aperture is f/32-40.
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 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM 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 100mm, the Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS (Amazon, B&H) is sharp enough in the center and stays rocksteady throughout. Phenomenal performance.
Whereas, at 400mm, the Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS is sharp enough in the center and has better than the performance at 100mm.
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 : 0.98m – 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 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM 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 makes it easier to capture blur-free images, particularly when shooting sports or other subjects that require a fast stabilisation response. Mode 2 stabilisation facilitates dynamic panned shots. 5-axis stabilization becomes available when used with ? series bodies that feature in-body stabilisation.
Sony
Control
Manual focus system
The Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM 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 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM 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 optimal combination of double linear motor and DDSSM (Direct Drive SSM) drive systems is the first of its kind. It also implements precision sensors that provide real-time feedback for extremely high positioning accuracy, allowing the body’s AF system to perform at its best.
Sony
Zoom ring
The Zoom ring allows you to shift the focal range from 100mm to 400mm and anywhere in between.
It also has a ring which lets you control how smoothly or tightly the zoom ring will move.
A zoom lens at this range should not be missing a lens lock, unfortunately the FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS does not have a lens lock.
Basics
Filter Thread
The Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS (Amazon, B&H) has a filter thread diameter of 77mm. This is one of the more 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 a Super ED lens elements.
Size and Weight
The Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 93.9mm and a length of 205mm. It weighs around 1,395 grams, without the tripod ring.
Weather resistance
Sony claims that all GM 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 GM 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 (model): ALC-SH151
- Lens front cap: ALC-F77S
- Lens rear cap: ALC-R1EM
- Case
- Other: Tripod mount
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.
You also get a tripod mount in the box.
What about Teleconverters?
Sony sells two converters for the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS:
You get an effective focal length of:
| Teleconverter | Effective Focal Length | Loss of light |
|---|---|---|
| With the 1.4x | 140-560mm | 1 stop |
| With the 2.0x | 200-800mm | 2 stops |
Sony claims both autofocus and image stabilization work well with the teleconverters.
Alternatives to the Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS Lens
The Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS (Amazon, B&H) is a great utility telephoto zoom lens. The only alternative is the cheaper Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (Amazon, B&H) with a smaller aperture, but you’re not going to get the same autofocus.
I hope you found this overview of the Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.
