Sony FE 100-400mm G Master Review
With comparison to Sony FE 70-300mm G
Pro
Amazing IQ, sharp wide open across the range
Fast AF
Compatible with teleconverter
Con
Expensive
Big and Heavy
Introduction
I had been using the SEL70300G for a few years, since i got the A6500. I was not interested in shooting telephoto until I have the 2nd body and started shooting landscape, birds…etc. I enjoy the additional reach beyond the 2470GM that I usually use. However, I was never impressed by the IQ of the 70300G, and decided to treat myself with the 100400. This review will focus on the 100400 and compare it against the 70300G. All pictures here are shot with the A7R4.
I was deciding between this lens or the new 200600G. After handling them both in the showroom, I was more comfortable with the 100400GM size and weight. A teleconverter can be added if more reach is needed. Another reason was the pseudo macro ability of this lens with 0.35x magnification ratio @ 0.98m versus the 0.2x @ 2.4m minimum focus distance on the 200600G.
What’s in the box
There is not much in the box. There is just the lens, hood, manual/warranty info, and a carrying bag.
Body
The lens body is 205mm long x 93.9mm in diameter, weight at 1395g. It takes a 77mm filter at the front, and is compatible with Sony’s 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverter. These converters are only compatible with the GM telephoto lens and the 200600G.
There is a bunch of controls on the side. At the front is the focusing ring, then focus hold, zoom ring, then a zoom tightness adjustment. Unlike the 70300G, there is no lock button, so the tightness adjustment ring can be used to prevent zoom creep. Then there is a panel of switches closer to the body. Top is the focus mode switch, focus range limiter, steady shot switch, and stabilization mode at the bottom. Finally there is a lens foot ring and its adjustment knob.
The lens is solidly built, and there is even rubber gasket on the mount to help with the water and dust resistant.
There is a cut out on the lens hood to allow rotating CPL filter without taking off the hood.
Image Quality
This is a variable aperture lens. The aperture starts at f/4.5 at 100mm, f/5 at 120, then f/5.6 starting 160. Below is a comparison on different focal lengths. First with the 100mm comparison, starting at largest aperture @ f/4.5. The center and corner is good already wide open, and gets better at f/5.6.
135mm comparison, starting at largest aperture @ f/5. The center and corner is good already wide open, and gets better at f/5.6. I really had to zoom into 2:1 to see the difference.
200mm comparison, starting at f/5.6, The center and corner is good already wide open, and gets better at f/8.
300mm comparison, starting at f/5.6, center and corner are good. No significant improvement at f/8 even viewing at 2:1.
400mm comparison, starting at f/5.6, the center and corner are good already. No significant improvement at f/8 at 2:1.
Conclusion
The 100400GM is a great telephoto lens. I highly recommend this lens if the goal is to have the best image quality on the Sony full frame or APS-C system. It is sharp wide open starting from 100mm all the way to 400mm. The trade off is huge size, heavy weight and the expensive price of the lens. I do wish for wider aperture to help keep the ISO down, but other telephoto zoom lens on the market with similar focal range has the same aperture. I will explore in future shooting with 1.4x teleconverter vs cropping on the A7R4.
