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Sony Announces FE 100-400mm Super-Telephoto Zoom Share This on LinkedIn   Tweet This   Forward This

4 August 2026

Sony has announed its FE 100-400mm F5.6-8 OSS, a new compact and lightweight super-telephoto zoom lens for its E-mount cameras.

"With the needs of a large set of hobbyist photographers in mind, from birders to parents, we used our expertise in professional lens technology to create a high-quality, affordable super-telephoto zoom lens that will go the distance," said Yang Cheng, vice president of Sony Imaging Solutions.

Notable features include a newly-designed optical system with extra low dispersion and aspherical elements, fast and precise linear motor autofocus, Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, impressive close-focusing capabilities with up to 0.41x maximum magnification and compatibility with Sony teleconverters for even greater reach.

HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights of the new zoom include:

  • Full-frame format
  • Apertures: f5.6 to f8
  • Rounded 9-blade diaphragm
  • Lightweight, compact design
  • Dust and moisture-resistant construction
  • Optical SteadyShot image stabilization
  • Continuous AF/AE tracking up to 120 fps
  • Zoom Lock switch prevents extension
  • One aspherical element, two ED elements

SPECIFICATIONS

Specifications for the 100-400mm lens include:

SONY FE 100-400mm f5.6-8 OSS LENS SPECIFICATIONS
Mount Sony E
Focal Length 100mm to 400mm
Aperture Maximum: f5.6 to f8
9 rounded diaphragm blades
Minimum Focus Wide angle: 3.7 feet
Telephoto: 2.8 feet
Magnification 1:2.4 Macro Reproduction Ratio
0.41x magnification
Optical Design 15 elements in 10 groups
One aspherical element, two ED elements
Autofocus Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
Filter Thread 67mm
Dimensions 3.08x6.48 inches
Weight 1.4 lbs.

PRICE, AVAILABILITY

Sony said the FE 100-400MM f5.6-8 OSS will be available for $849.99 in September. Adorama and B&H are both now accepting pre-orders.

Sony Electronics Launches FE 100-400mm f5.6-8 OSS, The Perfect Hobbyist's Super-Telephoto Zoom Len

Delivering Outstanding Mobility and Excellent Image Quality Across the Entire Zoom Range

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Sony Electronics introduces its FE 100-400mm f5.6-8 OSS, a super-telephoto zoom lens for 35mm full-frame Alpha E-mount cameras. Despite its super-telephoto reach of up to 400mm, the lens stays compact and lightweight, weighing just 654g. Its latest optical design incorporates two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements and two aspherical elements, delivering excellent image quality and clear rendering across the entire zoom range no matter how far away the subject is. The lens also features fast, precise AF (autofocus) and built-in optical image stabilization to support handheld shooting, letting you quickly capture moving subjects such as birds, sports, trains and aircraft.

"With the needs of a large set of hobbyist photographers in mind, from birders to parents, we used our expertise in professional lens technology to create a high-quality, affordable super-telephoto zoom lens that will go the distance," said Yang Cheng, Vice President of Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics.

Pricing and Availability

The FE 100-400MM f5.6-8 OSS will be available for a suggested retail price of $849.99/$1,079.99 CAD from September.

Key Features

Compact, Lightweight Design for Easy Handling, Even for First-Time Super-Telephoto Users

The lens delivers a 100-400mm super-telephoto zoom range in a compact, lightweight body weighing approximately 654g, making it easy to carry. That portability also eases handling during handheld shooting and speeds up framing. You can capture powerful images of subjects that are hard to approach, such as birds and sports scenes and use the 'compression effect' (which makes the distance between nearby subjects and distant background elements appear shorter) for landscape work unique to super-telephoto lenses. With an optional SEL20TC teleconverter, you can double your reach, up to 800mm or up to 1,200mm in APS-C mode.

Sharp Detail Through the Entire Zoom Range Means You Can Capture the Details That Matter

Excellent image quality holds whatever the shooting distance, thanks to an optical design with two ED glass elements and two aspherical elements that suppress color bleeding and distortion for clear rendering across the entire zoom range. The subject stands out against natural, soft bokeh, helped by a 9-blade circular aperture and optimization of spherical aberration. Its close-up performance is strong too: a minimum focusing distance of 0.86 m at the telephoto end and 1.13 m at the wide end, with a maximum magnification of 0.41x, lets you shoot flowers, insects and other nearby subjects as easily as distant ones.

Fast, Precise AF and Built-In Optical Image Stabilization for Moving Subjects

The linear motor drive delivers fast, precise and quiet AF (autofocus) to track moving subjects. The lens also supports high-speed continuous shooting with AF/AE (auto exposure) tracking at up to approximately 120 frames per second with the full-frame mirrorless α9 III camera. Built-in optical image stabilization suppresses camera shake during handheld shooting and keeps framing stable, even with distant subjects. The lens also works with the camera body's Active Mode image stabilization and coordinated image stabilization control, for high-quality stills and movies with reduced blur when shooting handheld. It also supports the camera body's breathing compensation function, which corrects changes in angle of view caused by shifts in focus position during movie recording.

Usability and Reliability Built for Outdoor Adventures with Dust and Moisture Resistance

A customizable focus hold button, focus mode/range switching dial and zoom lock switch give you quick operation across shooting scenes and comfortable ultra-telephoto handling. A dust and moisture resistant design helps you keep shooting with confidence when the weather changes unexpectedly. The supplied lens hood helps prevent flare and ghosting that can degrade image quality.

For more information, visit https://youtu.be/n0PeWyK0nV4.


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