The Sony 70-200mm f/4 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 70-200mm f/4 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.
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- TLDR;
- Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS vs Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS
- Features:
- Control:
- Basics:
- Alternatives to the Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS
TLDR;
What you need to know for video work about the Sony 70-200mm f/4 G OSS (Amazon, B&H):
- The Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS is a great telephoto zoom lens.
- The f/4 aperture is good enough for low light work, especially when pairing it with Sony’s imaging sensors.
- It’s small and lightweight compared to its alternatives, making it a preferred lens for gimbal or drone work.
- 9 circular blade aperture for smoother, better bokeh.
- Removable tripod ring for better handling
- 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
- Corporate videos and low budget commercials
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS vs Sony 70-200mm f/4 GM OSS
| Lens | Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS | Sony 70-200mm f/4 GM OSS |
| Filter Thread | 77mm | 72mm |
| Size | 88mm x 200mm | 80mm × 175mm |
| Weight | 1,480g | 840g |
| Closest focusing distance | 0.96m / 3.14ft | AF: 1-1.5m / 3.28-4.93ft MF: 1-1.35m / 3.28-4.43ft |
| Max. Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 |
| Min. Aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Teleconverter Compatibility | Yes | No |
| Aperture Blades | 11 blades | 9 blades |
| Angle of View (Diagonal) | 34°-12° 30′ | 34°-12° 30′ |
The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS (Amazon, B&H) is heavier and bigger than the Sony 70-200mm f/4 G OSS (Amazon, B&H).
The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS has a constant closer minimum focusing distance than the FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS.
The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 also gives you an extra stop of light with 11 aperture blades for a theoretically better bokeh.
The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS is compatible with teleconverters and thus, provides the user with more versatility. Whereas the Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS lacks this feature
Upon comparing the official MTF charts of both the lenses you can infer that Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS has slightly better sharpness and better consistency than the Sony 70-200mm f/4 G OSS. Keep in mind that the FE 70-200m f/2.8 GM probably performs better at f/4.
For those who need that f/2.8 and the GM quality the choice is clear. You get what you pay for.
Features
Coverage
The Sony 70-200mm f/4 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 200mm. This is considered super telephoto on a full frame 35mm sensor.
This specificity in focal range can be very useful for telephoto work, interviews, close ups.
Aperture
The constant maximum aperture is f/4 and the constant minimum aperture is f/22.
Having f/4 is enough for low light. Especially when you pair this with Sony and their sensor’s ISO capacity.
The Sony 70-200mm f/4 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 70-200mm f/4 G OSS (Amazon, B&H) is sharp enough in the center and has a steep falloff towards the end.
Whereas, at 200mm, the Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G is sharp enough in the center and has better than the performance at 70mm. It still has a sharp decline in quality for f/4.
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. However, it should be decent, and they correlate to each other well so there is some harmony in the design.
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:
- AF: 1-1.5m/3.28-4.93ft
- MF: 1-1.35m/3.28-4.43ft
- From 3m-infinity position: 3 m/1.87 ft
This promotes versatility of the lens which can do close ups, macros and as well as telephoto shots.
Image Stabilization
The Sony 70-200mm f/4 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.
Control
Manual focus system
The Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 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. 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.
Focusing is fast and precise thanks to Dual Linear Motors. The quiet and fluid movement is perfect for shooting movies, fast-paced action, or whenever focus is being changed quickly and often. The use of an internal focusing group, rather than a moving front lens element, makes for a compact design that works well with accessories like lens hoods and polarising filters.
Sony
Basics
Filter Thread
The Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 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 21 elements in 15 groups, including ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass, Super ED glass elements and AA (advanced aspherical) elements.
Size and Weight
The Sony 70-200mm f/4 G OSS (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 80mm and a length of 175mm. It weighs around 840 grams. It is much lighter than its GM variant.
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):
- Lens hood ALC-SH133
- Lens front cap
- Lens rear cap
- Case
- 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 which is removable.
Alternatives to the Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS Lens
The Sony 70-200mm f/4 G OSS (Amazon, B&H) is a great telephoto zoom lens. The only alternative in this focal range is the more expensive Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS (Amazon, B&H), which has more blades and a wider aperture.
I hope you found this overview of the Sony 70-200mm f/4 G OSS (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.
