Sony's NEW 100-400mm lens! Could this replace my 200-600mm?
Tony & Chelsea Northrup
Expert Pick #04
Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS.
The wildlife and sports super-telephoto for E-mount. Compatible with both 1.4x and 2x teleconverters for serious reach.
The Verdict.
9.2/ 10
Gavler Meta-Score
“The E-mount wildlife zoom that gets almost everything right except the price: near-flawless autofocus, GM sharpness to 400mm, and 1.4x/2x teleconverter support that reaches 800mm with AF intact. Buy it if you shoot Alpha bodies and want one travel-light reach lens for life; skip it if the cheaper 200-600 G's extra 200mm matters more than compactness, since this is the priciest lens in its focal range.”
The Gavler Verdict
Where to Buy.
Prices checked regularly
Best price$2,498
90-day price history
Price History
Steady at $2,498 for the entire 90-day tracking window — no increases, no discounts, across 67 tracked days.
Tracked daily across retailers. Vote Want itabove and we’ll alert you the moment the price drops.
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Precision Engineering
Near-Perfect Autofocus
Dustin Abbott rated the AF "pretty close to perfect" — fast, silent, and accurate enough to track wildlife and sports on the Alpha 1 and A9 III without reservation.
800mm With the 2x TC
Fully compatible with Sony's 1.4x and 2x teleconverters — reaches 560mm or 800mm while retaining autofocus, unusual flexibility for a 400mm zoom.
1,395g and 22 Elements
A 22-element/16-group design (1 Super ED + 2 ED) that stays light for a 400mm f/5.6 GM, making it genuinely hand-holdable for a full day in the field.
Technical Specifications
Focal Length100-400mm
Max Aperturef/4.5-5.6 (f/5.6 from 162mm)
Filter Thread77mm
Min. Focus Distance0.98 m (0.35x max)
Optical Design22 elements / 16 groups (1 Super ED, 2 ED)
Aperture Blades9 (rounded)
StabilizationOSS, up to 5 stops
Teleconverters1.4x and 2x (AF retained)
Weight1,395 g
MountSony E (full-frame)
The Scoreboard
Expert Consensus91%
Community Rating92%
Expert 91 / community 92 track closely: pros and owners agree the autofocus and cross-range sharpness are class-leading, and the near-tie reflects that the only consistent knock — premium pricing versus the 200-600 G — is a value complaint, not a performance one.
Cast Your Vote
Do you think Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS deserves the #4 spot in Best Telephoto Zoom Lenses?
Global Critique
“Autofocus is pretty close to perfect here. Fast, silent, and accurate. I have zero reservations on this front.”
Dustin Abbott
“you are getting a professional grade lens with a premium build and feature set at a remarkably low weight overall.”
Dustin Abbott
“Overall, my experience leaves me doubting the lens's ability to be a workhorse in challenging shooting environments.”
Photography Life
“the 100-400GM is priced like a premium lens – easily the most expensive lens with this focal range.”
Dustin Abbott
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