Bring the emotion and excitement closer
This compact, lightweight 100-400 mm super-telephoto zoom lens captures distant moments and expressions with outstanding clarity. ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass and aspherical elements minimise colour bleeding and other aberrations, while fast, precise AF and optical image stabilisation capture active subjects with amazing detail and impact, even when shooting handheld.
Super-telephoto shooting in compact, lightweight form
This lightweight, compact 100-400 mm super-telephoto zoom weighs only 654 g (23.1 oz.) with a max. diameter of 78.2 mm (3-1/8 in.) and length of 164.5 mm (6-1/2 in.). Fill the frame with distant subjects and use telephoto compression for unique perspectives in scenic shots. An optional teleconverter[1] provides up to 800 mm reach, which becomes 1200 mm in APS-C format.[2]
A brilliant optical design for outstanding imagery
An optical design that includes two ED glass elements and two aspherical elements effectively reduces colour bleeding and other aberrations for sharp, clear rendering of subjects from near to distant. A 9-blade circular aperture contributes to smooth, natural bokeh. Up to 0.41x magnification and 0.86 m (2.83 ft.) minimum focus distance, allow stunning closeups of flowers and insects too.
Easily capture challenging subjects handheld
Dual linear motors contribute to fast, precise, quiet AF that easily locks onto and tracks active subjects. With the α9 III body, it is possible to shoot bursts at up to 120 fps[3] with full AF performance. The lens’s optical stabilisation also works with compatible bodies[4] for even greater stabilisation performance, effectively compensating for the large blur that can occur with telephoto lenses for consistently stable framing.
Comprehensive control that is easy for all
An easily accessible focus hold button makes it possible to temporarily hold focus while composing an image. Other features that support telephoto shooting can be assigned to the focus hold button via the camera menus. A combined focus mode and focus range limiter switch (AF FULL / AF ∞-3m / MF) makes operation faster and easier, and a zoom lock switch prevents unwanted lens extension when the lens is aimed downward.
Dust and moisture resistance reliability in all conditions
A dust and moisture resistant design[4] ensures reliable operation in outdoor conditions, withstanding morning fog when shooting birds or airborne dust at sports events. Sealing at critical joints and seams effectively keeps dust and water droplets out.
Compact, lightweight, easy super-telephoto
This lightweight, compact 100-400 mm super-telephoto zoom weighs only 654 g (23.1 oz.) with a max. diameter of 78.2 mm (3-1/8 in.) and length of 164.5 mm (6-1/2 in.). Fill the frame with distant subjects such as birds or children’s faces for impact and expression that is only available at super-telephoto focal lengths.
Optional teleconverter for up to 800 mm
An optional teleconverter[1] extends maximum focal length up to 800 mm for even greater reach. In APS-C format that becomes an incredible 1200 mm[2] equivalent focal length that can be used to capture impressive super-telephoto images of birds or animals that would be tiny if captured with a standard zoom lens.
Outstanding optical quality
An optical design that includes two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements and two aspherical elements effectively reduces colour bleeding and other aberrations for sharp, clear rendering of subjects from near to distant.
Natural, beautiful bokeh
A 9-blade circular aperture contributes to smooth, natural bokeh that can make subjects stand out, especially if the background is cluttered as it often is when shooting birds or wildlife.
Great for closeups too
Although this versatile zoom lens covers a telephoto to super-telephoto range, it has up to 0.41x magnification and 0.86 m (2.83 ft.) minimum focus distance at 400 mm, making it possible to shoot stunning closeups of flowers and insects too.
Fast, precise, quiet autofocus
Dual linear motors contribute to fast, precise AF that easily locks onto and tracks active subjects. AF operation is quiet too, maximising soundtrack quality when recording movies.
Optical image stabilisation minimises blur
Optical image stabilisation effectively reduces blur when shooting handheld. The lens’s optical stabilisation also works with compatible bodies[3] for even greater stabilisation performance, effectively compensating for the large blur that can occur with telephoto lenses for consistently stable framing.
Assignable focus hold button
An easily accessible focus hold button makes it possible to temporarily hold focus at a desired point while composing an image. In addition to easily accessible focus hold, other functions that support telephoto shooting can be assigned to the focus hold button via the camera menus.
Combined focus mode and range limit switch
A single switch provides both focus mode and focus range limiter switching (AF FULL / AF ∞-3m / MF) for fast, easy operation in an uncluttered interface. Quickly select the ideal focus mode for the subject and situation at hand.
Zoom lock switch improves handling
A zoom lock switch prevents unwanted lens extension while the lens is mounted to a camera that is aimed downward at a subject or being carried over the shoulder, for example, improving handling and portability in a wide range of situations.
Dedicated lens hood included
The supplied ALC-SH188 lens hood has been painstakingly designed to prevent light entering the lens from outside its angle of view, minimising flare and ghosting.
Dust and moisture resistant design
A dust and moisture resistant design[5] ensures reliable operation in outdoor conditions, withstanding morning fog when shooting birds or airborne dust at sports events. Sealing at critical joints and seams effectively keeps dust and water droplets out.
Recycled materials in our lenses
As part of our Road to Zero[6] initiative, over 41 % of this product’s total plastic weight[6] consists of recycled plastic. At the component level, the proportion of recycled material reflects its performance needs: over 32 % of the plastic in the lens barrel consists of recycled plastic, over 89 % in the lens hood, and over 88 % in the lens caps.[7]
Non-plastic packaging materials
As part of our Road to Zero[6] initiative, we are transitioning to non-plastic packaging materials[8]. Plant-based non-woven fabrics are used for product bags.
Disclaimers
1. Supports SEL20TC and SEL14TC teleconverters.
2. 35mm full-frame equivalent.
3. Sony tests. Maximum continuous shooting speed may be lower in some situations. Continuous shooting speed may vary in AF-C focus mode.
4. See Sony’s support web page for lens and body compatibility information: https://www.sony.net/dics/fnc1002/
5. Not guaranteed to be 100% dust and moisture proof.
6. For Sony’s Environmental activities, refer to https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/eco/sustainable-development
7. Calculated based on the plastic weight of each individual component (lens barrel, lens hood, and lens caps) and the weight of recycled plastic used in those components.
8. Not including materials used in coatings and adhesives.