Key Features
Combining serious super-telephoto reach with an exceptionally portable design, the Sony FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS is a high-performance prime lens built for wildlife, sports, aviation, trainspotting, and other subjects that demand long focal lengths. Its 400mm f/4.5 configuration delivers impressive subject isolation and low-light capability, while the remarkably compact 9.5" length and 35.1 oz (994g) weight make it practical for handheld shooting. With G Master optical performance, advanced autofocus, Optical SteadyShot stabilization, and extensive customization, the SEL400F45GM brings professional-level super-telephoto performance to a highly mobile Sony E-mount system.
400mm f/4.5 G Master prime for powerful reach and excellent subject separation
Lightweight 994g (35.1 oz) design and approximately 242mm (9.5") length for comfortable handheld shooting
Super ED and ED glass elements help minimize chromatic and other optical aberrations for high-resolution images
Nano AR Coating II suppresses flare and ghosting while maintaining contrast in challenging backlit conditions
Individually optimized spherical aberration and an 11-blade circular aperture produce smooth, attractive bokeh
Two XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors provide fast, precise, and quiet autofocus and subject tracking
Optical SteadyShot image stabilization provides greater stability when shooting handheld
Compatible with Sony's optional 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters, extending the lens to 560mm or 800mm respectively
Focus breathing suppression and quiet AF operation make the lens well suited to video
Four focus hold buttons, a customizable function ring, Full-time DMF, and a Focus Range Limit switch provide extensive control
Dust- and moisture-resistant construction and a fluorine-coated front element provide additional protection for outdoor use
The FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS gives Sony E-mount photographers a compelling combination of long reach, fast aperture, and portability. At just 994g (35.1 oz.), it is considerably easier to carry and handle than many conventional 400mm super-telephoto primes. Its overall length of approximately 242mm (9.5") also makes it unusually compact for a lens in this class, while its balanced design is intended to reduce fatigue during extended handheld shooting.
At the heart of the lens is a sophisticated G Master optical design incorporating Super ED and ED glass elements to control aberrations and maintain high resolution across the frame. Sony's Nano AR Coating II further suppresses flare and ghosting, helping preserve detail, contrast, and clarity when shooting toward bright light or in other demanding outdoor conditions. The result is a lens designed to deliver the fine detail expected from a high-end 400mm prime without requiring the bulk normally associated with this level of reach.
The lens is also designed to produce attractive rendering beyond its sharpness. Sony individually calibrates the spherical aberration of each lens to optimize bokeh, while the 11-blade circular aperture helps create smooth out-of-focus areas and rounded highlights. At 400mm, the combination of long focal length and f/4.5 aperture can produce strong subject separation, making it particularly effective for isolating wildlife, athletes, birds, and other distant subjects against uncluttered backgrounds.
Autofocus performance is equally important for a super-telephoto lens, and the FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS uses two XD Linear Motors together with a refined control algorithm for fast, accurate, and quiet focusing. The system is designed to keep pace with unpredictable subject movement, including high-speed continuous shooting with compatible Sony camera bodies. This makes the lens particularly well suited to wildlife and sports photography, where a momentary loss of focus can mean missing the shot.
Optical SteadyShot image stabilization provides additional support for handheld shooting, with selectable stabilization modes and coordination between the lens and compatible camera bodies for enhanced stabilization performance. The lens can also be paired with Sony's optional teleconverters when greater reach is required. A 1.4x teleconverter extends the focal length to 560mm, while a 2.0x teleconverter takes it to 800mm, providing additional flexibility for distant wildlife and other subjects.
The lens offers extensive controls for photographers who want to tailor operation to their shooting style. Four focus hold buttons provide convenient access regardless of shooting orientation, while the customizable function ring can be assigned to functions such as APS-C/Full Frame switching, Preset Focus, or Power Focus. A dedicated switch provides control over Optical SteadyShot operation and stabilization modes. The Full-time DMF function allows the focus ring to be used for immediate focus adjustment when autofocus has locked onto the wrong subject, while the Focus Range Limit switch can restrict the focusing range to help improve focusing response.
For video applications, the FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS incorporates technology designed to effectively suppress focus breathing for smoother-looking footage. Its XD Linear Motors and circular aperture mechanism also operate quietly to minimize the risk of distracting recording noise. Linear Response MF provides direct and intuitive manual focus control for filmmakers who need precise adjustments during recording.
Built for demanding outdoor use, the lens features a dust- and moisture-resistant design and a fluorine coating on the front element. The fluorine treatment helps resist contaminants on the front glass and makes the surface easier to clean, while the overall construction provides additional confidence when photographing in challenging outdoor environments.
Wildlife and bird photography
Sports and action photography
Aviation and trainspotting
Outdoor and nature photography
Handheld super-telephoto shooting
Professional and enthusiast telephoto video
Photographers who want 400mm reach without the size and weight of a traditional super-telephoto prime
