The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM and the Sony 500mm F4 G SSM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:
Size and Weight Comparison
The size of a lens is a crucial factor to consider when comparing two lenses. Sony 500mm F4 G SSM is the longer of the two lenses at 368mm. The Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM with a length of 359mm, is 9mm shorter. On the other hand, the Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM has a larger diameter of 158mm compared to the Sony 500mm F4 G SSM's 140mm diameter.
The weight of a lens is equally significant as its external dimensions, particularly if you intend to handhold your camera and lens combination for extended periods. Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM weighs 2895g, which means it is 565g (16%) lighter than the Sony 500mm F4 G SSM which has a weight of 3460g.
Filter Threads
The Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM has a filter size of 41mm whereas the Sony 500mm F4 G SSM has a 42mm diameter. Larger filters are generally more expensive than the smaller ones given all the other features are equal.
Below are links to the 41mm filters that we recommend you to consider for the Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM:
And these are the 42mm filters that we recommend for the Sony 500mm F4 G SSM:
Lens Mounts
The Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM has the Sony E lens mount whereas the Sony 500mm F4 G SSM has the Sony Alpha lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with these mounts are Sony FX5, Sony A7R VI and Sony A7 V for the Sony E Mount and Sony A99 II, Sony A68 and Sony A77 II for the Sony Alpha Mount.
Focal Range
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 400mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of
600mm.
On the other hand, the Sony 500mm F4 G SSM is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 500mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 750mm.
