Sony unveils lightweight 400mm and 600mm super-telephoto lenses

TechRadar’s Timothy Coleman reports that Sony has unveiled two E-mount prime lenses: the FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS and FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS. After extensively testing both for wildlife photography, Coleman describes them as high-quality options for photographers who prioritize optical quality over zoom versatility.

Sony says the lenses deliver superior MTF performance compared with rivals. Weighing 994g and 995g respectively, they are described as the lightest of their kind and each weighs just under 1,000g. The 400mm lens measures 242mm in length, while the 600mm measures 263mm. Both are dust- and moisture-resistant, include Optical SteadyShot (OSS), and support Sony’s 1.4x and 2x teleconverters. The 2x converter doubles focal length while reducing maximum aperture.

In the UK, the FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS costs £2,400 and the FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS costs £3,300. Coleman says US and Australia pricing will be added when available. The lenses sit within the focal-length range of Sony’s 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS, but offer brighter maximum apertures of f/4.5 and f/6.3 and substantially lower weight. Coleman considers the 400mm better suited to larger wildlife and the 600mm to smaller creatures.