Sony FE 400mm F4.5 G Master OSS

An exceptionally compact and lightweight G Master super-telephoto lens

The Sony FE 400mm F4.5 G Master OSS redefines portability in the professional super-telephoto category. Designed for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras, it combines a 400mm focal length, fast f/4.5 maximum aperture, G Master optical quality, and high-performance autofocus in a lens weighing just 994g.

Its remarkably lightweight construction makes handheld shooting much more practical for sports, nature, and wildlife photographers while still providing the long reach required for distant subjects.

At only 242mm long, the FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS is exceptionally compact for a lens in this category. Its dimensions are closer to some professional 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom lenses than to traditional super-telephoto primes.

Designed for handheld shooting

Sony has carefully optimized the weight distribution of the lens to improve balance when mounted on a camera.

The use of a single front element shifts the center of gravity closer to the camera body, reducing front-heavy handling and making prolonged handheld shooting more comfortable.

The f/4.5 maximum aperture also provides an excellent balance between light-gathering capability, physical size, and weight. Combined with the built-in Optical SteadyShot stabilization system, it offers considerable flexibility in a wide variety of lighting conditions.

Compared with the Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS, this f/4.5 model is approximately 1.9kg lighter and around 11.7cm shorter.

Fast autofocus with dual XD Linear Motors

The Sony FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS uses two XD – Extreme Dynamic – Linear Motors to deliver extremely fast, accurate, and responsive autofocus performance.

The system also operates quietly and smoothly, making the lens equally suitable for still photography and video production.

Its autofocus system is designed to keep pace with Sony's fastest professional cameras and supports continuous AF/AE tracking during shooting speeds of up to 120 frames per second with compatible camera bodies.

Internal focusing

Focusing is fully internal, meaning the physical length of the lens does not change during operation.

This design improves focusing speed, handling, and overall balance.

Full-time manual focus override is also supported, enabling photographers to make immediate manual focus adjustments whenever required.

Advanced autofocus controls

A focus range limiter allows the autofocus system to be optimized according to subject distance.

Four focus hold buttons are positioned around the lens barrel so that at least one remains easily accessible regardless of camera orientation.

These controls provide immediate access to focus functions when tracking fast or unpredictable subjects.

Optical SteadyShot image stabilization

The built-in Optical SteadyShot system helps reduce the effects of camera movement when shooting handheld.

Three stabilization modes are available:

• Mode 1: standard stabilization for general shooting and stationary subjects.
• Mode 2: optimized for panning.
• Mode 3: designed for tracking fast or irregularly moving subjects.

Effective stabilization is especially valuable at a 400mm focal length, where even small camera movements can have a noticeable effect on image sharpness.

G Master optical performance

Sony's G Master designation is reserved for lenses designed to deliver outstanding resolution, contrast, bokeh quality, and responsiveness.

The FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS uses an optical construction consisting of 22 elements arranged in 16 groups.

Super ED and ED elements

Super ED and ED low-dispersion glass elements help suppress chromatic aberrations.

They contribute to excellent sharpness from the center to the edges of the image, even when shooting at the maximum f/4.5 aperture.

This high resolving power also provides additional flexibility when cropping photographs, which is particularly useful for wildlife and sports photography when subjects cannot always fill the frame perfectly during capture.

Nano AR Coating II

Sony's Nano AR Coating II helps suppress ghosting and internal reflections when shooting in difficult lighting conditions.

It helps maintain high contrast, rich color reproduction, and clear detail even when strong light sources are positioned inside or close to the frame.

Rounded 11-blade diaphragm

The circular 11-blade diaphragm produces smooth and natural-looking bokeh.

Combined with the 400mm focal length and f/4.5 maximum aperture, it allows subjects to be separated effectively from distracting backgrounds.

Focus transitions are smooth and gradual, making the lens ideal for wildlife portraits, sports, and isolated distant subjects.

Professional handling and controls

The Sony FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS incorporates a wide range of controls intended for professional photographers who need to make adjustments without taking their eye away from the viewfinder.

Customizable Function Ring

A customizable Function Ring can be assigned to a variety of camera or exposure controls according to the photographer's preferences.

Easily accessible controls

Frequently used buttons and switches are positioned directly on the lens barrel for fast adjustment while shooting.

This control layout is particularly useful for sports and wildlife photography where conditions can change rapidly.

Fixed rotating tripod collar

The lens features a rotating tripod collar that allows photographers to switch quickly between horizontal and vertical orientations when using a monopod or tripod.

The included tripod foot can be removed when the lens is primarily used handheld, helping to reduce its overall profile.

Dust- and moisture-resistant construction

The FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS features a dust- and moisture-resistant design.

Rubber seals are used around key barrel joints, while a sealing ring protects the lens mount.

This construction allows greater confidence when shooting outdoors in demanding weather conditions.

The front element also features a fluorine coating that helps repel water, oil, fingerprints, and other contaminants while making the surface easier to clean.

95mm front filter thread

Unlike some super-telephoto lenses that rely on specialized internal filter systems, the FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS uses a conventional 95mm front filter thread.

This makes it easy to attach screw-in filters such as polarizers, protection filters, or creative filters.

Hybrid metal and composite construction

Sony combines metal and composite components to achieve a balance between structural strength, rigidity, and low weight.

This hybrid construction contributes directly to the exceptionally low overall weight of just 994g.

Compatible with Sony 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters

The Sony FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS is compatible with the optional Sony FE 1.4x and FE 2.0x teleconverters.

With the 1.4x teleconverter, the lens provides an effective specification of:

560mm f/6.3

With the 2.0x teleconverter, it becomes:

800mm f/8

Autofocus and automatic exposure remain available when using either compatible teleconverter.

This significantly expands the versatility of the lens for wildlife, bird photography, and sports where subjects may be positioned at very long distances.

Technical Specifications Summary

• Type: Professional super-telephoto prime lens
• Lens mount: Sony E
• Format coverage: Full-frame
• Focal length: 400mm
• Maximum aperture: f/4.5
• Minimum aperture: f/20
• Optical construction: 22 elements in 16 groups
• Special elements: Super ED and ED
• Lens coating: Nano AR Coating II
• Diaphragm: 11 rounded blades
• Autofocus: Dual XD Linear Motors
• Focusing: Internal
• Continuous AF/AE tracking: Up to 120 fps with compatible cameras
• Image stabilization: Optical SteadyShot
• OSS modes: Mode 1, Mode 2, Mode 3
• Full-time manual focus override: Yes
• Focus range limiter: Yes
• Focus hold buttons: 4
• Customizable Function Ring: Yes
• Tripod collar: Rotating
• Tripod foot: Removable
• Weather resistance: Dust and moisture resistant
• Front element coating: Fluorine
• Filter diameter: 95mm
• Dimensions: Approx. 108 x 242mm
• Weight: Approx. 994g
• With Sony FE 1.4x teleconverter: 560mm f/6.3
• With Sony FE 2.0x teleconverter: 800mm f/8
• Autofocus with teleconverters: Yes
• Automatic exposure with teleconverters: Yes