Sony will release two full-frame E-mount super-telephoto prime lenses, the FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS and the FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS, on October 9, 2026. Both belong to the flagship G Master line, yet weigh only about 994 g and 995 g respectively. Sony claims they are the world's lightest lenses in the 400mm and 600mm classes, and they are designed around handheld shooting without a tripod. Estimated street prices are around 500,000 yen for the 400mm and around 700,000 yen for the 600mm, with pre-orders opening at 10:00 on September 29.
Under 1 kg Without the Tripod Collar, With Weight Shifted Toward the Body
The headline feature of both lenses is weight. Excluding the tripod collar, the FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS weighs about 994 g and the FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS about 995 g, so both come in under the 1 kg mark. According to Sony, as of the September 2026 announcement they are the world's lightest full-frame super-telephoto lenses covering 400mm at f/4.5 or faster and 600mm at f/6.3 or faster, respectively.
The dimensions are compact as well: the 400mm measures about 108 mm in maximum diameter and 242 mm in length, while the 600mm measures about 108 mm by 263 mm. Even the 600mm takes 95 mm filters, and the barrel diameter is shared between the two.
What may matter even more than the numbers is the weight balance. By keeping the front of the lens light and moving the center of gravity toward the camera body, Sony says the lenses are easy to swing when framing moving subjects or panning. The design targets situations such as bird, wildlife, and sports photography, where setting up a tripod or monopod is difficult and you may hold the camera up for long stretches.
Where They Sit Next to the Existing Large-Aperture Models
Sony's E-mount lineup already includes the FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS and the FE 600mm F4 GM OSS super-telephoto primes. Their brighter maximum apertures come with larger barrels and weights approaching 3 kg. The two new lenses trade a little more than a stop of maximum aperture for roughly one third of the weight, giving each focal length two options: one that prioritizes brightness and one that prioritizes mobility.
They are also compatible with the optional SEL14TC 1.4x and SEL20TC 2x teleconverters, extending the 400mm to a maximum of 800mm and the 600mm to a maximum of 1200mm. Combining this with APS-C crop mode narrows the field of view even further.
Inside the Optics and Autofocus
The optical design follows a shared approach. Three Super ED glass elements and one ED glass element are arranged to suppress the chromatic aberration that tends to appear at super-telephoto focal lengths, all the way to the edges of the frame. The 400mm uses 22 elements in 16 groups and the 600mm uses 24 elements in 17 groups, and both employ an 11-blade circular aperture. Sony's Nano AR Coating II is applied to reduce ghosting and flare when shooting into the light.
The minimum focusing distance is 2.5 m on both lenses, with maximum magnification of 0.18x on the 400mm and 0.25x on the 600mm, meaning the longer 600mm can render subjects larger in the frame.
Autofocus is driven by two XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors. Sony states the lenses support the up to approximately 120 fps AF/AE tracking continuous shooting of the full-frame mirrorless α9 III, a specification clearly aimed at fast action such as birds in flight or ball sports. In-lens optical image stabilization is included, and the lenses support coordinated control with in-body stabilization, Active Mode, and focus breathing compensation for video.
Controls and Weather Resistance
As you would expect from a super-telephoto lens, the controls are extensive. There are four customizable focus hold buttons, a function ring, a focus range limiter, a full-time DMF switch, a focus mode switch, and an image stabilization mode switch. The construction is designed with dust and moisture resistance in mind for outdoor use, and the front element has a fluorine coating that resists smudges.
Release Date, Pricing, and Advance Display
Both lenses go on sale on October 9, 2026, with open pricing. Sony's estimated street prices are around 500,000 yen (tax included) for the FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS (model number SEL400F45GM) and around 700,000 yen (tax included) for the FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS (model number SEL600F63GM). Pre-orders open at 10:00 on September 29.
The lenses will be on advance display from September 18 at the Sony Store locations in Ginza, Sapporo, Nagoya, Osaka, and Fukuoka Tenjin. Sony also plans to hold special α Academy sessions with professional photographers, offering hands-on shooting experience, starting on November 14. Being able to check the weight and handling in person before buying is a welcome option for lenses in this price range.
Summary
Sony's newly announced FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS and FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS are super-telephoto prime lenses that keep G Master image quality while bringing the weight under 1 kg. They launch on October 9, 2026, with estimated street prices of around 500,000 yen and 700,000 yen respectively, and pre-orders begin at 10:00 on September 29. As "mobility first" alternatives alongside the large-aperture F2.8 and F4 models, they look like strong candidates for photographers who track birds and sports handheld.
