Sony FE 100-400mm G Master vs Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS
Announced - Apr 2017
Pro
Amazing IQ
Build quality
Fast AF
Compatible with teleconverter
Con
Expensive
Big and Heavy
Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS (SEL70300G)
Announced- Mar 2016
Pro
Size and Weight
Price
Con
Soft corner
Body
The 100400GM is 6cm longer, and 550g heavier than the 70300G. The length difference makes it difficult to store in the bag. The size is not a huge issue, and still ok to shoot handheld without a monopod. However, I definitely felt the weight after shooting for a few minutes. There is no tripod collar and foot on the 70300G, and it also doesn’t have the rubber gasket on the lens mount. However, 100400GM is more than double the price of the 70300G.
The 100400GM is better built with rubber gasket on the lens mount to help with dust/weather sealing. The rear element is more recessed in the 100400GM to accommodate the teleconverter.
These are variable aperture lens, and the table above shows the largest aperture at various focal lengths. There is no significant aperture advantage on 100400GM to 70300G.
Image Quality
This is comparing the 2 lens shooting at their widest/narrowest focal length at the largest aperture. This also shows the difference between 70mm vs 100mm, and 300mm vs 400mm. At the widest focal length, the 70300G looks acceptable at the center, but the 100400GM has more details. Then moving to the corner, the 100400 is significantly sharper with less chromatic aberration. At the narrowest focal length, the center of both lens looks good. The 70300G improve significantly compared to at 70mm.
100mm comparison, starting at largest aperture (f/4.5 on 100400GM vs f/5 on 70300G), the 100400GM is sharper than the 70300G. 70300G corner is really soft. At f/5.6, the center is very similar, but 70300G is still soft. The 70300G corner finally improves at f/8, but is still weaker than the 100400GM.
135mm comparison, starting at largest aperture, the centers are really similar between the lens. 70300G corner is a bit better than at 100mm but still soft. At f/5.6, the centers are very similar, but 70300G is still soft. The 70300G corner finally improves at f/8, but is still weaker than the 100400GM.
200mm comparison, starting at f/5.6, the centers are really similar between the lens. 70300G corner is still soft, improves at f/8 but is still weaker than the 100400GM.
300mm comparison, starting at f/5.6, the two lens are really similar at center and corner.
Conclusion
The 100400GM is definitely the lens to go for ultimate image quality. It is sharp wide open across the entire range, while 70300G is soft at the corner. On the other hand, it is 2x more expensive, 40% longer and heavier than the 70300G. Depending on the budget and the requirement, both are valid full frame telephoto zoom lens options. However, I think the newly E 70350G is probably a better choice for APS-C than the 70300G, as it seems to have good reviews and is even lighter.
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.
