Sony has announced its new FE 70-200 F/4 G OSS II lens. This is the follow-up to the FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS that hasn’t been updated in 10 years. It now joins the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II that was announced back in late 2021.
The Sony FE 70-200 F/4 G OSS II is slightly lighter (749g as opposed to 840g) and shorter than the previous version and it features an external zoom instead of an internal one. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of weight or size saving if you are comparing it to the previous version which is now 10 years old.
Key features
- E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
- Aperture Range: f/4 to f/22
- Nano AR Coating
- Quad XD Linear AF Motors; Internal Focus
- Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization
- Focus Hold Buttons; Focus Range Limiter
- Dust and Moisture-Resistant Construction
- Removable, Rotating Tripod Collar
The Sony FE 70-200 F/4 G OSS II was designed to be a workhorse lens for events, sports, and portraiture. It is a compact telephoto zoom featuring a constant f/4 maximum aperture, sophisticated G series optics, and useful AF and OSS. The smaller size, compared to an f/2.8 version, makes the lens a more portable option that is well-suited to all-day shoots and other situations where a more nimble, stabilized lens is required.
The optical construction of the lens consists of 19 elements in 13 groups.
The 70-200mm is being touted as the world’s first macro photography with a maximum magnification of 0.5x (2) over the entire zoom range. The minimum focusing distance is 0.26m at the wide end and 0.42m at the telephoto end.
Quad XD linear motors and an internal focus mechanism enable fast, responsive autofocus and object tracking. A focus range limiter switch allows you to constrain the usable focus range between a set limited range or full for improving focus speed. Three focus hold buttons and an AF/MF switch is present on the lens barrel for intuitive tactile control and rapid access to select settings.
Optical SteadyShot image stabilization helps to minimize the appearance of camera shake for sharper imagery when shooting handheld with slower shutter speeds. This stabilization system can also be combined with select camera’s sensor-shift type image stabilization for more effective control of camera blur.
The lens features a dust- and moisture-sealed design for working in inclement conditions and rubberized control rings for better handling in colder temperatures. There is a removable and rotating tripod collar for added stability and reducing strain on the camera’s lens mount.
The lens is compatible with the current range of 1.4x and 2x teleconverters.
Price & Availability
The Sony Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS II Lens retails for $1,698 USD. It will start shipping soon.
