Sony FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS vs Sony FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS compared with FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS
SonyFE 300mm F2.8 GM OSSSonyFE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS
Overview
ReleasedJanuary 2024September 2026
Optics
Lens typePrimePrime
Focal length300 mm400 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/4.5
Minimum aperturef/22f/32
Optical constructionTwenty-one elements in seventeen groups, including one filter22 elements in 16 groups
Special elementsThree Super ED elements and one ED elementThree Super ED elements and one ED element
CoatingsSony Nano AR coating II and front fluorine coatingNano AR Coating II; fluorine front-element coating
DiaphragmEleven rounded blades11 rounded blades
Angle of view8°10′ full frame; 5°20′ APS-C6°10′ full frame; 4°10′ APS-C
Mount and compatibility
MountsSony ESony E
Image circleFull frameFull frame
Image circle detailFull-frame coverage; 450 mm equivalent field of view on APS-CFull-frame coverage; 600 mm equivalent field of view on APS-C
Teleconverter supportCompatible with Sony SEL14TC 1.4× and SEL20TC 2×; 420 mm F4 or 600 mm F5.6 respectivelyCompatible with SEL14TC and SEL20TC; Sony confirms up to 800 mm with 2×. Amateur Photographer gives 840 mm in one paragraph; the physical 400 mm focal length and 2× factor give 800 mm.
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance2 m2.5 m
Maximum magnification0.16×0.18×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailTwo XD linear motors; tracking at apertures through F22 depends on camera and shooting conditionsTwo XD linear motors; up to 120 fps AF/AE tracking with Alpha 9 III under Sony test conditions, not a universal camera limit
Focus distance detail2 m minimum focus distance; linear-response manual focus and full-time DMF including AF-C–
Magnification detail0.16× maximum magnification–
Stabilisation detailOptical SteadyShot with normal, panning mode2 and dynamic-framing mode3; mode3 requires compatible current camera firmware. Compatible body can combine for five-axis correction. No maker stop rating in read pagesBuilt-in Optical SteadyShot; coordinated stabilisation and Active Mode require compatible cameras. Sony publishes no stop rating.
Video featuresQuiet low-vibration autofocus; function ring for power focus; noticeable focus breathing reported by The Digital PictureBreathing compensation with compatible cameras
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesYes
Filter diameter40.5 mm95 mm
Maximum diameter124 mm108 mm
Length265 mm242 mm
Weight1,470 g994 g (better)
ControlsManual-focus ring, function ring, four customisable focus-hold buttons, AF/MF and full-time DMF switches, full/6m–infinity focus limiter and stabilisation controlsFour customisable focus-hold buttons, function ring, focus-range limiter, full-time DMF, AF/MF and stabilisation mode switches
Filter detail40.5 mm drop-in filter; no front filter thread. Supplied normal filter is part of optical design and must be installed unless replaced by supported filter; optional VF-DCPL1 polariser95 mm front filter; Amateur Photographer’s table gives 85 mm, but maker specification is used
Weather resistanceDust and moisture resistant design with magnesium-alloy internal barrel; not guaranteed to prevent all ingressDust- and moisture-resistant design; not guaranteed completely dust- or moisture-proof
Dimensions detail124 mm maximum diameter × 265 mm length–
Weight detailApproximately 1470 g excluding separate tripod mount; hood and caps excludedApproximately 994 g excluding tripod mount; separately supplied hood, caps, straps and case excluded
Tripod mountSupplied rotating aluminium collar with detachable slide-out footSupplied tripod mount; reviews note the foot has no integrated Arca-Swiss plate
Lens hoodALC-SH175 round bayonet hood with locking button and flocked interior, suppliedALC-SH189 round bayonet hood
In the boxALC-SH175 hood, front cover, ALC-R1EM rear cap, soft case, tripod mount, lens strap and drop-in filterALC-SH189 hood, ALC-F95S front cap, ALC-R1EM rear cap, soft case, lens strap, case strap and tripod mount
Release detailSony Europe final announcement7November2023 confirms January2024 availability; Japan2February later. MainJanuary, exact first global sale day unconfirmed. Development originally announced17January2023; announced field final full-spec launch.Sony UK announced on 15 September 2026 with availability from the end of September 2026; exact first-sale day is not published. Sony Japan gives 9 October 2026 for that market. UK approximate launch price is £2400.

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