Sony launches the FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS and FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS, offering professional-grade optics in the lightest full-frame super-telephoto primes, perfect for long outdoor shoots without the weight burden.
Sony’s FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS and FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS are aimed squarely at wildlife and sports photographers who want reach without the burden of a heavy rig. According to TechRadar’s field testing, both lenses combine professional-grade optics with unusually low weight, making them a rare option for long sessions on foot. They sit below Sony’s flagship 400mm F2.8 and 600mm F4 lenses in price and aperture speed, but they bring the same GM branding and a more portable package, which is the point of the design.
The most striking detail is their mass. The 400mm weighs 994g and the 600mm 995g, which DPReview says makes them the lightest full-frame lenses in their respective categories. That puts them well below Nikon’s comparable super-telephoto primes and far beneath Sony’s own 400-800mm zoom, which is much heavier and less bright at the long end. Sony’s product information also describes the 600mm as the world’s lightest 600mm F6.3 full-frame super-telephoto prime, reinforcing the emphasis on handheld usability rather than absolute speed.
On handling, both lenses are broadly similar: they have a 108mm barrel diameter, a 95mm filter thread, weather sealing, a removable tripod collar and optical stabilisation. TechRadar notes that the controls are practical and extensive, with switches for focus mode, focus range limiting, stabilisation and custom functions, plus four focus-hold buttons. The lenses also support Sony’s 1.4x and 2x teleconverters, although the review suggests they are at their most convincing without added extenders, where the available light is easier to manage at such long focal lengths.
Autofocus performance appears to be a strong point. According to Amateur Photographer, the 600mm uses a complex optical design with extra-low dispersion elements, Nano AR Coating II and twin XD linear motors, while supporting high-speed tracking. In TechRadar’s tests with a Sony A7 V, focus was fast, quiet and dependable on birds, deer and insects, with only occasional softness on larger animals when shooting wide open. Image quality was described as very sharp, with smooth bokeh, restrained chromatic aberration and little obvious vignetting at maximum aperture.
Pricing positions the lenses as expensive, but not inaccessible by top-tier super-telephoto standards. TechRadar puts the 400mm at $2,699/£2,400/AU$3,999 and the 600mm at $3,699/£3,300/AU$5,599, while DPReview reported launch pricing of $2,699 and $3,699 respectively. Sony has said the 600mm is available for pre-order, and DPReview reported that both lenses were expected to reach market in October 2026. For enthusiasts who know exactly which focal length they need, the new primes look like a serious alternative to heavier zooms and vastly costlier professional glass.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
