Sony has announced two new G Master super telephoto prime lenses for its full-frame E-mount system, the FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS and FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS. Both weigh less than 1kg and are designed for photographers who want long focal lengths in a package that is easier to carry and use handheld.
Sony describes the lenses as everyday super telephoto primes and says they are the world’s lightest lenses in their respective categories, as of the September 2026 announcement. The FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS weighs approximately 994g and the FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS approximately 995g, excluding the tripod mount.
Wildlife and bird photographers are an obvious audience, but Sony is also targeting sport, aviation and other subjects where photographers may spend long periods walking and shooting handheld. The centre of gravity has been positioned closer to the camera body to make it easier to maintain framing, follow moving subjects and pan smoothly.
Read Our Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5 GM OSS Review
The FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS combines a 400mm focal length with a maximum aperture of f/4.5. It measures approximately 108mm at maximum diameter and 242mm in length, making it a relatively compact option for photographers who want plenty of reach without stepping up to one of Sony’s larger super telephoto primes.
In some ways, the 400mm is the more versatile of the two new lenses. It can fill the frame with a distant subject while still making it possible to include some of the surrounding environment, which could be useful for wildlife photography where the habitat forms an important part of the image.
Its optical construction consists of 22 elements in 16 groups. Sony says the optical design uses three Super ED elements and one ED element to help suppress chromatic aberration and maintain resolution from the centre of the frame to the edges.
The FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS has a maximum aperture of f/6.3 and is designed for subjects that are more difficult to approach. Its longer focal length makes it particularly suited to photographing birds, nervous wildlife and distant sporting action or where it’s important to maintain a physical distance from the subject.
It measures approximately 108mm at maximum diameter and 263mm in length, and weighs approximately 995g excluding the tripod mount. The optical construction uses 24 elements in 17 groups, with Sony again using Super ED and ED glass to control aberrations.
The difference of just 1g between the two lenses is interesting given the 600mm offers an extra 200mm of focal length.
Both lenses use Sony’s Nano AR Coating II to reduce flare and ghosting, including when shooting in backlit conditions. They also feature an 11-blade circular aperture, with spherical aberration optimisation to produce the smooth background blur associated with Sony’s G Master range.
This combination is intended to help photographers isolate birds, animals and sports subjects from busy backgrounds while retaining fine detail in feathers, fur and clothing.
Both lenses feature two XD linear motors and a control algorithm developed specifically for them to deliver fast, precise and quiet autofocus. Sony says the lenses are fully compatible with the Alpha 9 III’s continuous shooting at up to 120fps with AF/AE tracking, making them suitable for fast-moving and unpredictable subjects.
Four customisable focus hold buttons are positioned around each lens barrel. There is also a function ring, focus range limiter, Full-time DMF switch, focus mode switch and image stabilisation mode switch, giving photographers access to key settings without having to move away from the lens.
Both lenses include built-in optical image stabilisation with three modes to help reduce camera shake when shooting handheld. They also support the camera body’s Active Mode image stabilisation and coordinated image stabilisation control with compatible cameras.
For video, the lenses support Sony’s breathing compensation function on compatible camera bodies. This corrects changes in the angle of view caused by moving the focus position, although Sony notes that the angle of view and image quality can change slightly when the function is used.
Sony has put particular emphasis on handheld use with these lenses. Their weight and balance are intended to make it easier to walk with them for long periods, search for subjects and shoot in locations where using a tripod or monopod may not be practical.
The two new lenses are compatible with Sony’s optional 1.4x and 2x teleconverters. With the 2x teleconverter attached, the FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS can reach 800mm while the FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS extends to 1200mm.
The 1.4x teleconverter turns the 400mm into a 560mm f/6.3 and the 600mm into an 840mm f/9. With the 2x teleconverter, they become an 800mm f/9 and 1200mm f/13 respectively.
Both lenses are dust- and moisture-resistant and have a fluorine coating on the front element to help resist water, oil and hingerprints. As usual, the lenses are not completely sealed against dust or water droplets.
A tripod mount is also supplied with each lens, although the quoted 994g and 995g weights exclude it.
The Sony FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS (SEL400F45GM) is expected to go on sale at the end of September 2026, with a price of approximately £2,400 / €2,800.
The Sony FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS (SEL600F63GM) is also expected to go on sale at the end of September 2026, with an anticipated price of around £2,600 / €3,900.