Sony launches $1399 100-400mm F5.6-8 super-telephoto zoom

Sony has announced a new compact super-telephoto zoom lens for its full-frame Alpha mirrorless camera system, aimed at photographers looking for extended reach without the size and weight typically associated with 400mm lenses.

The new Sony Electronics SEL100400, also known as the FE 100-400mm F5.6-8 OSS, covers a versatile 100-400mm focal range while weighing approximately 654g.

The lens is designed for handheld shooting and targets photographers photographing subjects such as birds, wildlife, sports, trains and aircraft.

Sony says the lens uses a new optical design featuring two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements and two aspherical elements to reduce colour fringing and distortion across the zoom range.

A nine-blade circular aperture is used to produce smoother background blur, while the lens offers a minimum focusing distance of 0.86m at the telephoto end and a maximum magnification of 0.41x.

The lens includes built-in optical image stabilisation to help reduce camera shake when shooting at longer focal lengths. It also supports Sony’s Active Mode stabilisation and coordinated image stabilisation features in compatible cameras.

Autofocus performance is handled by a linear motor system, which Sony says provides fast, accurate and quiet focusing for moving subjects. The lens supports high-speed continuous shooting with autofocus and auto exposure tracking on compatible cameras, including the Sony α9 III.

For photographers wanting additional reach, the lens is compatible with Sony’s SEL20TC teleconverter, extending the focal length to 800mm. When used on an APS-C camera or in crop mode, the equivalent reach can extend further.

The lens has been designed with outdoor use in mind, featuring dust and moisture resistance, a customisable focus hold button, focus mode and range controls, and a zoom lock switch. A supplied lens hood helps reduce flare and ghosting in bright conditions.

The Sony FE 100-400mm F5.6-8 OSS will be available from September 2026 with a suggested retail price of $1399.