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

The Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 OSS G Lens is a sophisticated piece of optical engineering designed to meet the demands of professional photographers and enthusiasts alike, especially those specializing in wildlife, sports, and action photography. With its remarkable range and built quality, this G series lens brings versatility and precision to the super-telephoto zoom category in the full-frame format. This lens is designed to cover full-frame Sony E-mount cameras, offering superb image quality across the entire image frame, from edge to edge. The maximum aperture of f/6.3 at the 400mm end and f/8 at the 800mm provides a balance between size, weight, and optical performance. The wide range of aperture settings allows for considerable control over depth of field and exposure. Offering an extensive zoom range, this lens is ideal for subjects that are typically out of reach, allowing photographers to capture tight shots of distant subjects without the need to physically move closer.

As part of Sony's prestigious G series, this lens promises superior image quality, resolution, and bokeh characteristics, with an emphasis on maintaining high performance throughout the zoom range. The lens employs dual linear motors to achieve fast, precise, and quiet autofocus performance, essential for capturing fast-moving subjects. The internal zoom mechanism ensures the lens does not change length while zooming, aiding in handling and maintaining balance. A Focus Limiter Switch allows photographers to constrain the range of focus, thereby speeding up autofocus performance in certain conditions by preventing the lens from focusing on subjects outside the predefined range. Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization helps to minimize the appearance of camera shake, enabling sharper imagery when shooting handheld or at slower shutter speeds.

The lens can be used with Sony's 1.4x and 2x teleconverters, extending its reach further to 560-1120mm or 800-1600mm, respectively, with a reduction in maximum aperture. Its rounded 11-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing out of focus quality (bokeh), making subjects stand out distinctly against blurred backgrounds or foregrounds. A short rotational throw allows for quick and precise manual focusing, a critical feature for rapidly changing scenes or fine adjustments. The fixed, rotating tripod collar provides solid support and stability on a tripod or monopod, with the ability to rotate the camera and lens for quick switches between portrait and landscape orientations. The dust and moisture-resistant construction enhances the lens’s durability and reliability in challenging environmental conditions, making it suitable for outdoor shooting sessions.

Product Features in Detail

Zoom to 800 mm for the beauty beyond the reach of the naked eye
The FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS is Sony's first1 α Lens that zooms to 800 mm, with a range that is ideal for distant subjects as well as the creation of telephoto compression. The fast, precise AF lets you capture subjects that can't be approached closely, such as wild birds and wild animals, and draw them into the full picture. The internal zoom design minimizes center-of-gravity shift for smooth handling.

Go long with the first1 α Lens: 400–800 mm super-telephoto zoom
The FE 400–800 mm F6.3–8 G OSS is the first1 α Lens to cover a 400 mm to 800 mm super-telephoto range. An optional 2x teleconverter can extend maximum focal length to 1600 mm. The internal zoom means the length of the lens does not change, and the center of gravity stays within a small range for stable handling. Smooth, easy zoom ring rotation allows precise zooming, while careful design prevents accidental focal length changes.

Cutting-edge optical design gives high resolution and natural bokeh throughout the zoom range
Six ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements effectively control chromatic aberration. Flare and ghosting in backlit conditions are also thoroughly suppressed. An 11-blade circular aperture helps to create beautiful ball bokeh amid exceptionally smooth, creamy background bokeh when shooting with a narrow depth of field.

Fast, precise AF captures even fast-moving subjects
Two precision linear motors drive the lens’s focus group for fast, accurate focusing. Tracking easily keeps up with the 120 fps2 maximum burst speed of the α9 III, and continues uninterrupted even while zooming so important moments are not lost. A focus-range limiter (FULL/10 m–NEAR/∞–8 m) can be used to optimize operation for different subject distances. Focus breathing is suppressed for refined movie quality and quiet operation expands the gamut of possible applications.

Solid support for handheld or tripod-mounted shooting
The optically stabilized FE 400–800mm F6.3–8 G OSS extends to 800 mm, but weighs just 87.4 oz (2475 g) and can be used handheld without shake-induced blur. Stabilization is even better with an α body that includes image stabilization. When using a tripod, the mount foot can be quickly rotated for horizontal or vertical orientation. Durable components, optimized balance, and a non-removable foot maximize reliability and performance.

High-level control and reliability for any situation
Three focus hold buttons at 90° increments around the barrel allow easy access in any orientation. Other functions can be assigned to the buttons as needed. Internal zoom and a dust/moisture resistant3 design maximise reliability. The front element has a fluorine coating that repels contaminants and makes the lens easier to clean. The lens hood is a new design with a lock button and filter opening for easy operation.

E-mount 400–800 mm super-telephoto zoom
The FE 400–800 mm F6.3–8 G OSS is the first2 α™ Lens that covers the 800 mm super-telephoto zoom range. Optional 1.4x and 2x teleconverters are available, with the 2x teleconverter able to extend that range up to 1600 mm. Super-telephoto focal lengths are ideal for birds and wildlife, sports, aircraft, and other subjects that can’t be approached closely, as well as scenes that benefit from telephoto compression.

Internal zoom and optimized zoom control
Internal zoom means the length of the lens does not change while zooming, and the center of gravity stays within a small range for stable handling. Smooth, easy zoom ring rotation allows quick zooming to any focal length in the range, while careful design reduces the possibility of accidental focal length changes.

Superb quality throughout the zoom range
Six ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements effectively control chromatic aberration that can be a problem at super-telephoto focal lengths. Flare and ghosting are also thoroughly suppressed. An 11-blade circular aperture helps to create beautiful ball bokeh amid exceptionally smooth background bokeh when shooting with a narrow depth of field.

Precise manual focus
Full-time DMF automatically engages manual focus when the focus ring is operated, making it easy to apply fine manual adjustments or change the focus entirely. Linear Response MF ensures that the focus ring responds directly to manual focus control, with focus ring rotation translating directly to a corresponding change in focus.

1.7 m minimum focus at 0.23x magnification
Offering remarkable close-up capability for a super-telephoto zoom, the FE 400–800 mm F6.3–8 G OSS features a minimum focusing distance of just 5.58 ft (1.78 m) at the wide end of the zoom range and a maximum magnification of 0.23x. This level of close-up performance dramatically expands the potential uses of this versatile lens.

Fast, precise AF captures quick subjects
Two precision linear motors drive the lens’s focus group for fast, accurate focusing. Tracking easily keeps up with the 120 fps3 maximum burst speed of the α9 III, and continues uninterrupted even while zooming so important moments are not lost. A focus-range limiter (FULL/10 m–NEAR/∞–8 m) can be used to optimize operation for different subject distances. Focus breathing is suppressed for refined movie quality and quiet operation expands the gamut of possible applications.

Built-in Optical SteadyShot™
Shooting handheld at super-telephoto focal lengths is made easier by the built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization. MODE 2 is ideal for panned shots, while MODE 35 provides improved viewfinder stabilization for easier framing of active subjects. Even better stabilization plus enhanced body-lens communication and control are available when used with compatible α bodies6.

Minimal focus breathing for movies
Advanced lens technology reduces focus breathing as well as focus and axial shift when zooming. Changes in angle of view and other image shifts are minimised for smooth, high-quality movie footage. The breathing compensation function4 provided in compatible α bodies is also supported, further reducing unwanted image shifts while focusing.

Durability and ease for tripod shooting
The tripod mount foot provides 1/4-20 UNC and 3/8-16 UNC screw sockets for compatibility with a wide range of tripods, and can be quickly rotated for horizontal or vertical orientation. Durable components, optimized balance, and a non-removable design maximize reliability and performance in challenging conditions.

Extra reliability for outdoor shooting
Internal zoom coupled with a dust- and moisture-resistant7 design provide ample reliability when shooting outdoors. The front element features a fluorine coating that repels contaminants and makes the lens easier to clean. The lens hood is a new design with a lock button for easy attachment and removal, and a filter opening for easy operation.

Focus hold buttons offer flexible control
Three focus hold buttons at 90° increments around the lens barrel allow instant focus hold operation in either horizontal or vertical orientations, whether the camera is being held normally or upside-down. Functions other than focus hold can be assigned to the buttons as needed.

Environmentally conscious
Sony's environmental plan "Road to Zero" aims for a zero environmental footprint by 2050. The environmental footprint of this product has been minimized from development through supply chain, production, and packaging. We are also transitioning to non-plastic packaging materials. Plant-based non-woven fabrics are used for product bags.

1 With interchangeable-lens digital camera incorporating APS-C type image sensors.
2 As of the February 2025 product announcement.
3 Sony test conditions. Maximum continuous shooting speed may be lower in some conditions. Continuous shooting speed may vary in the AF-C focus mode.
4 For compatibility information see: https://www.sony.net/dics/breathing/ Not available when shooting stills. Angle of view and image quality may change slightly when this function is used. Effective compensation may not be achieved in all situations.
5 MODE 3 is supported by the latest body software version. Please refer to the appropriate support web pages for information on body compatibility.
6 Please refer to the support page: https://www.sony.net/dics/fnc1002/ for details of compatible cameras. Correction effect depends on the lens.
7 Not guaranteed to be 100% dust and moisture proof.
8 Actual color and dimension may differ from the screen image.
9 Colors & features of the product shown may differ by model and country.
10 4K: 3,840 x 2,160 pixels.
11 Services availability depends on region. A part or whole of software/services installed into or accessible through the product may be changed, discontinued, removed, suspended, or terminated without notice.
12 Features and specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
13 The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Sony Group Corporation and its subsidiaries is under license.