Sony's new FE 400mm f/4.5 GM OSS ($2,698) and FE 600mm f/6.3 GM OSS ($3,698) are shipping now. Each weighs under 1 kilogram, but the 600mm is already in short supply: Sony Japan says orders came in well above its forecasts.
That makes them the lightest super-telephoto primes Sony has made, at a fraction of the price and weight of its pro-level f/2.8 and f/4 lenses.
Quick facts
| FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS | FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS | |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $2,698 | $3,698 |
| Weight (without tripod foot) | 994 g (2.2 lb) | 995 g (2.2 lb) |
| Length | 242 mm | 263 mm |
| Diameter | 108 mm | 108 mm |
| Optics | 22 elements in 16 groups | 24 elements in 17 groups |
| Special elements | 3 Super ED, 1 ED | 3 Super ED, 1 ED |
| Autofocus | 2 XD linear motors | 2 XD linear motors |
| Stabilization | Optical SteadyShot | Optical SteadyShot |
| With 1.4x / 2x | 560mm f/6.3 / 800mm f/9 | 840mm f/9 / 1,200mm f/13 |
| Minimum focus | Not stated | 2.5 m (8.2 ft), about 0.25x |
| Filter | Not stated | 95 mm front |
Both lenses have 11-blade circular apertures, Sony's Nano AR Coating II, a fluorine-coated front element, focus breathing compensation on compatible bodies, and dust and moisture resistance. Sony says they are not fully weather-sealed. On the α9 III, both support shooting at up to 120 frames per second with autofocus tracking, Sony says.
Why is the Sony 600mm f/6.3 GM hard to get?
Because demand outran supply. In a notice reported by RedShark News, Sony Japan said: "We have received significantly more orders than we anticipated, so delivery may take some time."
Sony has not announced a formal delay. US retailers listed both lenses for mid-October shipping, and Sony Europe listed the 400mm for October 7 and the 600mm for October 23. Allocation generally follows order date, so the earliest pre-orders should be filled first. The 400mm has not been affected.
The 600mm shortage is separate from the delay to Sony's FX5 cinema camera, which slipped to November 16.
Who are these lenses for?
Sony pitched them at wildlife, birding and sports photographers who want long reach without carrying a 3 kg lens. Sony also says it moved the center of gravity closer to the camera so they balance better handheld.
The trade-off is light-gathering. At f/4.5 and f/6.3, both need more light than Sony's $14,000 f/4 600mm, which matters at sunrise and sunset, when much wildlife is most active.
What do the reviews say?
Early reviews are strongly positive, with the same caveat about the aperture.
- PetaPixel called the 600mm "an excellent telephoto lens," extremely sharp with "decisive" autofocus. It flagged the f/6.3 aperture in low light, the non-Arca tripod foot and a loose focus ring.
- Digital Camera World gave it 4.5 out of 5, calling the handling "sublime," but noted it costs about 40% more than the 400mm, which was slightly sharper in its lab tests.
- Dustin Abbott called it a "shockingly lightweight way to get to truly awesome performance at 600mm." He would use the 2x teleconverter only when absolutely necessary and thinks the 400mm is the better value unless you need the reach.
How does it compare with other 600mm options?
| Lens | Mount | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony FE 600mm f/6.3 GM OSS | Sony E | 995 g (2.2 lb) | $3,698 |
| Sony FE 400mm f/4.5 GM OSS | Sony E | 994 g (2.2 lb) | $2,698 |
| Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS | Sony E | 2,115 g (4.7 lb) | about $2,099 |
| Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS | Sony E | 3,040 g (6.7 lb) | about $14,099 |
| Nikon Nikkor Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S | Nikon Z | 1,390 g (3.1 lb), without collar | $4,799.95 at launch |
Weights exclude tripod feet unless noted. Sony 200-600mm and 600mm f/4 prices are from Digital Camera World's review; the Nikon price is its 2023 launch list price.
The closest rival in concept is Nikon's Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S, which uses a Phase Fresnel element to stay small. Sony's lens is about 400 g lighter and cost about $1,100 less than the Nikon did at launch, though prices change.
Within Sony's own range, the choice is mostly between the 200-600mm zoom and the new prime. The zoom is cheaper and more flexible for framing, but PetaPixel found the prime sharper and faster to focus, at less than half the weight.
What it means if you want one
If you ordered the 600mm early, your place in line should hold. If you are ordering now, expect a wait. The 400mm is available, cheaper, and in one major review slightly sharper. With a 1.4x teleconverter it reaches 560mm at f/6.3.
Sony's broader lens strategy has been in the news, too: it has proposed acquiring Tamron. Read our coverage of the Sony–Tamron bid.
What to watch
Delivery dates for the 600mm as Sony works through orders.
Long-term field reviews from wildlife photographers, especially on autofocus with teleconverters.
Third-party alternatives, such as Sigma's 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS Sports, which Digital Camera World puts at about $2,999.
Published October 18, 2026. Specifications are from Sony's announcement as reported by Newsshooter and Imaging Resource; review verdicts are from PetaPixel, Digital Camera World and Dustin Abbott. The supply warning is from Sony Japan via RedShark News. Prices are US retail and may change.
