Sony has just announced a new groundbreaking lens that marks the longest focal length ever in a Sony lens. Introducing the new Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G Lens, a new lens designed to fulfill the needs of the most demanding wildlife, bird, sports, and event photographers who need more reach without sacrificing features or resolution. The new lens is equipped with a balanced internal zoom, an impressive autofocusing system, and focus breathing suppression. It is compatible with Sony’s 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters, giving it a maximum reach of 1600mm. Today’s announcement has a lot to cover, so let’s jump right into it.
Key Features of the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G Lens
- 800mm, Longest Reach Ever on Sony Lens
- 2475g/4.66lbs
- Minimal Chromatic Aberration
- Balanced Internal Zoom
- AF System Capable of Subject Tracking Up to 120 FPS
- Dust and Moisture Resistant
- Compatible with 1.4x and 2.0x Teleconverters
- Focus Breathing Suppression
- Optical Image Stabilization
What’s New About the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G Lens?
This groundbreaking new lens is equipped with the longest focal length ever on a Sony lens. Indeed it can even be brought out to an astounding 1600mm with the 2.0x teleconverter. Extra-low dispersion elements are included in the build that help offer incredible optical quality across the range and throughout the image frame. Internal zoom increases the versatility and usability of the lens for filmmakers, in addition to a quick and quiet autofocus that is perfect for video and photo creators alike. Let’s take a closer look at some of this new lens’s best features.
Sony’s Longest Reach Ever
This brand-new lens offers an 800mm reach, the longest of any Sony lens on the market. Combined with the compatible 1.4x or 2.0x teleconverters, you can reach an astounding 1600mm focal length without sacrificing image quality or functionality. For photographers capturing birds and wildlife, this new focal length enables high-resolution images that were not possible before. Additionally, those capturing events, films, and landscapes can experience more reach than ever before to create unique images. The focal length ranges from f/6.3 at 400mm to f/8 at 800mm, which can still offer decent performance in low light and provide ample bokeh behind the subject.
Excellent Optical Quality
Six extra-low dispersion elements help give this lens top-notch image quality at all focal lengths, with minimal chromatic aberration and sharpness across the whole frame. Focus breathing suppression minimizes focus breathing, helping filmmakers capture cinematic-quality footage. An 11-blade circular aperture provides a smooth and beautiful bokeh. Finally, a minimum focusing distance of 1.7m offers creators excellent macro-style capability to shoot detailed images of up-close objects.
Balanced Internal Zoom
Internal zooming and focusing mechanisms balance the lens across the focal range, improving the device’s use by creators relying on gimbals to stabilize their footage. This also adds to the camera’s weatherproofing since no element protrudes beyond the barrel at further focal ranges. This helps keep the center of gravity balanced for shooters who find themselves using the lens on extended shooting days, reducing fatigue when shooting handheld.
High-Performance Autofocus
Two linear motors provide fast, precise, and quiet autofocus, making them perfect for both still and video shooting. When used with a compatible Sony Alpha camera, the autofocus system can track subjects at up to 120 frames per second during burst shooting. This is ideal for action, sports, and wildlife photographers who need to capture the best moments. The near-silent operation allows for audio capture without background noise. Additionally, focus breathing suppression enables filmmakers to make smoother transitions from front to back focus. Finally, the lens is compatible with in-body breathing compensation on Sony cameras that support this feature.
Who Should Buy the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G Lens?
This lens is perfect for any Sony creator who demands the absolute highest reach available. Wildlife, bird, and sports photographers will particularly benefit from the extended reach of the Sony FE 400-800mm G Lens. It is also well-suited for filmmakers who need more reach in their bag, with fast and near-silent autofocus and in-body breathing compensation. For Sony shooters who already own the 100-400mm lens, this new lens is an extension to their kit that doubles their focal length. If you need to photograph anything far away in immense detail, the new Sony FE 400-800mm G Lens is the perfect addition to your kit.
Comparable Sony Lenses
The Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens is the slightly lighter sibling of the new Sony FE 400-800mm G Lens with a little less reach. The 200-600mm is 2115g/74.7oz and offers creators an additional stop of light at the maximum focal length of 600mm. This lens is popular worldwide for wildlife, bird, sports, and event photographers for its high-quality optics and excellent reach. For those who are looking to capture more than just the super telephoto shot, the minimum focal range of 200mm on this lens may be a bit more versatile than 400mm on the new 400-800mm, but obviously, it lacks a little bit of reach on the longer end. Both lenses are a great choice, but the decision comes down to how much you value extra reach over extra light and more versatility on the wide end of the lens.
Final Thoughts
No matter who you are or what you capture, any creator who needs the most range will love the new Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G Lens. With just as many impressive features for filmmakers as there are for photographers, and the 2.0x teleconverter enables the lens to extend its reach to 1600mm, this new lens is truly a dream come true for wildlife, sports, and bird photographers across the Sony ecosystem.
