Sony E Autofocus OIS

Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS

Focal length: 400–800 mm
Aperture: f/6.3–8
Weight: 2475 g
Filter diameter: 105 mm
Min. focus distance: 170 cm
Length: 346 mm

Overview

The Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS is a super telephoto zoom for Sony E-mount full frame cameras. Sony announced it in February 2025 and calls it the first Alpha lens to reach 800 mm. It is aimed at bird, wildlife, aviation and sports photographers who need reach beyond 600 mm without switching to a prime.

Optical design

The lens has 27 elements in 19 groups. According to Sony, six ED elements control chromatic aberration and advanced coatings suppress flare and ghosting. An 11 blade circular aperture shapes the background blur. The maximum aperture is F6.3 at 400 mm and F8 at 800 mm, with a minimum aperture of F36 to F45. Close focus is 1.7 m to 3.5 m with a maximum magnification of 0.23x.

Autofocus and handling

Two linear motors drive autofocus; Sony says the system keeps pace with 120 frames per second on the Alpha 9 III. Built-in Optical SteadyShot offers three modes. The zoom is internal, which keeps length and balance steady, and the zoom ring has a short rotation throw. Controls include three focus hold buttons at 90 degree intervals, a focus range switch and full-time direct manual focus. The lens works with the 1.4x SEL14TC and 2x SEL20TC for up to 1600 mm.

Build and size

The lens weighs 2,475 g including its non-removable, rotating tripod foot, measures 119.8 mm in diameter and 346 mm in length and takes 105 mm filters. The design is dust and moisture resistant (not guaranteed fully sealed), and the front element has a fluorine coating.

Where it fits

It extends beyond the Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS. Smaller or lighter zooms include the Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS, the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports and the Tamron 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD. The Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS offers a wider zoom range.

Pros and cons

Pros

800 mm reach in a zoom
Optical stabilization and internal zoom
Teleconverter compatibility
Dust and moisture resistant design

Cons

Slow F6.3 to F8 aperture
2,475 g with a fixed tripod foot
400 mm at the short end limits flexibility

Verdict

The FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS targets users who need maximum reach in daylight conditions and accept the slow aperture and weight. Based on the data, it is a specialist lens, more suited to dedicated wildlife and sports work than to general travel.

Technical Specifications

min focal length: 400 mm
max focal length: 800 mm
max f (min zoom): f/6.3
max f (max zoom): f/8
min. aperture: f/36
Elements: 27
Groups: 19
Weight: 2,475 g (5.46 lb)
Filter diameter: 105 mm
min focus distance: 170 cm (66.93 in)
Length: 346 mm (13.62 in)
Diameter: 119.8 mm (4.72 in)

Simulate depth of field and angle of view

Which cameras does the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS fit?

The Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS is a full-frame lens for Sony E-Mount cameras. On full-frame bodies it uses the whole sensor; on APS-C Sony E-Mount cameras its field of view equals 600-1200 mm in full-frame terms.

Sony E-Mount cameras

Full frame:: Sony A7R VI, Sony A7 V, Sony FX2, Sony A1 II, Sony A9 III, Sony A7C II, Sony A7CR, Sony ZV-E1, Sony A7R V, Sony A7 IV, Sony A1, Sony FX3, Sony A7S III, Sony A7C, Sony FX6, Sony A7R IV, Sony A9 II, Sony FX9, Sony A7 III, Sony A7R III, Sony A9, Sony A7R II, Sony A7S II, Sony A7 II, Sony A7S, Sony A7, Sony A7R
APS-C:: Sony ZV-E10 II, Sony A6700, Sony FX30, Sony ZV-E10, Sony A6600, Sony A6100, Sony A6400, Sony A6500, Sony A6300, Sony A6000, Sony A5100, Sony A5000, Sony A3000, Sony NEX-5T, Sony NEX-3N, Sony NEX-6, Sony NEX-5R, Sony NEX-F3