Sony FE 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 GM OSS § 03 Head to head
Sony FE 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 GM OSS vs Sony FE 100-400 mm f/4.5 GM OSS
Sony 100–400mm f/4.5-5.6 is 445 g lighter. Sony 100–400mm f/4.5 has a brighter maximum aperture.
Both lenses are made for the Sony E mount: the Sony FE 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 GM OSS is a 100–400mm f/4.5-5.6 zoom, and the Sony FE 100-400 mm f/4.5 GM OSS is a 100–400mm f/4.5 zoom. On paper the Sony FE 100-400 mm f/4.5 GM OSS comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Sony FE 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 GM OSS 
Sony FE 100-400 mm f/4.5 GM OSS 01
Key differences
Why is the Sony FE 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 GM OSS better than the Sony FE 100-400 mm f/4.5 GM OSS?
- 445 g lighter (1395 g vs 1840 g)
- 123 mm shorter (205 mm vs 328 mm long)
- Smaller filter thread (77 mm vs 95 mm)
Why is the Sony FE 100-400 mm f/4.5 GM OSS better than the Sony FE 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 GM OSS?
- Brighter maximum aperture (f/4.5 vs f/4.5-5.6)
- Focuses 34 cm closer (0.64 m vs 0.98 m)
- More aperture blades (11 vs 9)
- Newer design (2026 vs 2017)
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Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the Sony FE 100-400 mm f/4.5 GM OSS has the edge: its f/4.5 aperture gathers more light than f/4.5-5.6.
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Specification
| Specification | Sony FE 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 GM OSS | Sony FE 100-400 mm f/4.5 GM OSS |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 100–400mm | 100–400mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4.5-5.6 | f/4.5 ◆ |
| Minimum aperture | f/32-40 | f/32 |
| Lens type | Telephoto zoom lens | Zoom lens |
| Format | Full Frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 1,395 g (3.08 lbs) ◆ | 1840 g (64.90 oz) |
| Dimensions | 94 mm (diameter) x 205 mm (length) | 328 x 119.8 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.98 m (3.22 ft) | 0.64 m (25.20 inches) ◆ |
| Maximum magnification | 0.35x | — |
| Image stabilization | Yes (Optical SteadyShot) | Yes |
| Weather sealing | Yes (dust and moisture resistant) | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | 9 (rounded) | 11 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 22 elements in 16 groups | 28 elements / 20 groups |
| Filter size | 77 mm ◆ | 95 mm |
| Lens mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Released | 2017 | 2026 |
| Price | — | $4,299 launch price |
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Size
- A · Sony
- B · Sony
- 205 × 94 mm
- 328 × 119.8 mm
The Sony FE 100-400 mm f/4.5 GM OSS is 123 mm longer and 445 g heavier than the Sony FE 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 GM OSS.
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Sample frames
Sony FE 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 GM OSS
Sony FE 100-400 mm f/4.5 GM OSS
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Sony FE 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 GM OSS or the Sony FE 100-400 mm f/4.5 GM OSS?
- The Sony FE 100-400 mm f/4.5 GM OSS opens to f/4.5, against f/4.5-5.6 on the Sony FE 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 GM OSS.
- Which is lighter, the Sony FE 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 GM OSS or the Sony FE 100-400 mm f/4.5 GM OSS?
- The Sony FE 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 GM OSS weighs 1395 g, 445 g less than the Sony FE 100-400 mm f/4.5 GM OSS (1840 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Sony FE 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 GM OSS or the Sony FE 100-400 mm f/4.5 GM OSS?
- The Sony FE 100-400 mm f/4.5 GM OSS focuses down to 0.64 m, against 0.98 m for the Sony FE 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 GM OSS.
- Do the Sony FE 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 GM OSS and the Sony FE 100-400 mm f/4.5 GM OSS have image stabilization?
- Yes, both lenses have optical image stabilization.
- Is the Sony FE 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 GM OSS or the Sony FE 100-400 mm f/4.5 GM OSS better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Sony FE 100-400 mm f/4.5 GM OSS has the edge: its f/4.5 aperture gathers more light than f/4.5-5.6.
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