Sony FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS

Bright 400mm reach in a lens made to move.

The Sony FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS combines serious super-telephoto performance with a remarkably lightweight, handheld-friendly design. At just 2.2 pounds without its tripod mount, it gives wildlife, bird, sports, and action photographers the reach and subject separation of a 400mm prime without the size and weight normally associated with a professional super-telephoto lens.

Its f/4.5 maximum aperture supports fast shutter speeds and strong background separation, while G Master optics, responsive autofocus, and built-in Optical SteadyShot help deliver sharp, detailed images in demanding situations. Compatibility with Sony’s optional teleconverters extends the lens to 560mm or 800mm when additional reach is needed.

The Looking Glass Take

The FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS may be one of the most practical super-telephoto primes Sony has made. It is fast enough for challenging light, long enough for birds, wildlife, field sports, and aviation, yet light enough to carry and use handheld for extended periods.

Compared with a telephoto zoom, the fixed 400mm focal length gives up framing flexibility. In return, you get an f/4.5 maximum aperture, G Master image quality, fast autofocus, and a lens that weighs less than many professional telephoto zooms. It also pairs especially well with Sony’s teleconverters, becoming a 560mm f/6.3 or 800mm f/9 without requiring a second large lens.

For photographers deciding between Sony’s new 400mm and 600mm primes, the 400mm is the more versatile choice. Its brighter aperture is useful in lower light and for fast action, while its native focal length makes it easier to locate and track moving subjects. The 600mm remains the stronger choice when maximum reach is the priority.

Lightweight 400mm Performance

The FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS weighs only 994 grams, or 35.1 ounces, excluding its removable tripod mount. Its center of gravity is positioned closer to the camera body, improving balance while following birds in flight, panning with athletes, or holding a composition for an extended period.

At approximately 9.5 inches long, the lens fits more easily into a practical field kit than a traditional large-aperture super-telephoto. Internal focusing keeps its physical length and balance consistent as focus changes.

G Master Detail and Bokeh

Three Super ED elements and one ED element help suppress chromatic aberration and maintain fine detail across the frame. Sony’s Nano AR Coating II reduces flare and ghosting, preserving clarity and contrast when photographing backlit wildlife, sports, or outdoor subjects.

An 11-blade circular aperture and carefully controlled spherical aberration produce smooth, natural-looking bokeh. Combined with the 400mm focal length and f/4.5 maximum aperture, this helps separate a subject from busy or distant backgrounds.

Fast, Precise Autofocus

Two XD Linear Motors provide fast, accurate, and quiet autofocus with responsive subject tracking. The lens is designed to follow unpredictable birds, wildlife, and athletes, including continuous shooting at up to 120 frames per second with the Sony α9 III.

Full-time DMF allows immediate manual focus adjustment without first changing focus modes. A focus-range limiter can restrict focusing to distant subjects, reducing unnecessary focus travel when photographing action.

Optical SteadyShot Stabilization

Built-in Optical SteadyShot helps reduce camera shake and provides a steadier viewfinder image when shooting handheld at 400mm. Multiple stabilization modes support general photography, panning, and the tracking of fast or erratically moving subjects.

Compatible Sony camera bodies can coordinate their in-body stabilization with the lens for improved handheld performance.

Extend Your Reach

The lens is compatible with Sony’s optional 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters:

• With the 1.4x teleconverter: 560mm f/6.3

• With the 2.0x teleconverter: 800mm f/9

On an APS-C Sony camera, the lens provides a field of view equivalent to 600mm on full frame before adding a teleconverter.

Designed for Field Use

Four customizable focus-hold buttons are positioned around the lens barrel for easy access in horizontal or vertical orientations. A customizable function ring can control features such as APS-C/Full-Frame switching, Preset Focus, or Power Focus on compatible cameras.

Dedicated controls are provided for focus mode, Full-time DMF, focus range, and Optical SteadyShot operation. The dust- and moisture-resistant construction is designed for outdoor use, while a fluorine-coated front element helps resist moisture, fingerprints, and debris.

The lens also supports breathing compensation on compatible Sony camera bodies, making it useful for filmmakers who need long reach with smooth, controlled focus transitions.

Key Features

• Full-frame Sony E-mount super-telephoto prime

• 400mm focal length with an f/4.5 maximum aperture

• Lightweight 994-gram design

• Three Super ED elements and one ED element

• Nano AR Coating II

• Two XD Linear Motors

• Optical SteadyShot image stabilization

• Compatible with Sony 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters

• Four customizable focus-hold buttons

• Customizable function ring

• Full-time DMF and focus-range limiter

• 11-blade circular aperture

• Dust- and moisture-resistant construction

• Fluorine-coated front element

• 95mm front filter thread

Specifications

• Mount: Sony E

• Format: Full frame

• Focal length: 400mm

• APS-C equivalent: 600mm

• Maximum aperture: f/4.5

• Minimum aperture: f/32

• Optical construction: 22 elements in 16 groups

• Aperture blades: 11, rounded

• Minimum focusing distance: 8.2 feet / 2.5 meters

• Maximum magnification: 0.18x

• Image stabilization: Optical SteadyShot

• Filter size: 95mm

• Dimensions: 4.25 × 9.5 inches / 108 × 242mm

• Weight: 35.1 ounces / 994 grams, excluding tripod mount

In the Box

• Sony FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS Lens

• ALC-SH189 lens hood

• ALC-F95S front lens cap

• ALC-R1EM rear lens cap

• Removable tripod mount

• Lens strap

• Soft case

• Case strap