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Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II Review

Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II

Main Features

  • 70-400mm Focal Range
  • F4.0 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 77mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 1500g.
  • Diameter: 95mm
  • Length: 196mm
  • Min Focus Distance:1.5m
  • Max Magnification:0.27x
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Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II Overview

Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II is an Auto Focus (AF) Super Telephoto Zoom lens with 35mm FF max sensor coverage and it is designed to be used with Sony Alpha mount cameras.

Sony replaced the older Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM with this model. Follow the link to read our detailed comparison of these models:
Compare Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II vs Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM


Lenses in Sony Alpha Mount with Same Focal and Aperture Range
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM Lens Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM
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35mm FF 1490gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mount

Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II is compatible with cameras that have Sony Alpha lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony Alpha lenses are Sony A99 II, Sony A68 and Sony A77 II.

Focal Range

Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II has a focal range of 70-400mm and 5.7X zoom ratio. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 105 - 600mm.

Optical Image Stabilization

Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II doesn't have an optical image stabilization system so the only option to stabilize the image taken with this lens is to mount on a camera body with IBIS (sensor based In-body image stabilization).

Zoom Method

Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II features Rotary (extending) zoom method where the length of the lens changes as you zoom in or out. This makes it possible to design the lens with a smaller minimum length ( generally when it is zoomed out) compared to internal zoom lenses. The disadvantages of this design are being harder to seal against dust and moisture, weight balance shifting while zooming and zoom creep in certain lenses.

Maximum Magnification Ratio

Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.27x and has a minimum focusing distance of 1.5m. For a non-macro lens, the 0.27x is considered a high magnification and will come handy for close-up shots.

Aperture

Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II is a variable aperture lens with a max aperture of f4 and a minimum aperture of f at 70mm, and a max aperture of f5.6 and minimum aperture of f at 400mm .

Optical Formula

Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II's optical formula consists of 18 elements in 12 groups .

Lens Hood

Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos.

Popular Comparisons of Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II

Here is the eight most popular comparisons of Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II amongst Camera Decision readers.

Top Alternatives of Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II Lens
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM Lens Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM
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35mm FF 1490gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM Lens Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM
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35mm FF 760gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F2.8 Di LD IF MACRO Lens Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F2.8 Di LD IF MACRO
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35mm FF 1330gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
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35mm FF 1780gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS Lens Sony FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS
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35mm FF 840gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS Lens Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS
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35mm FF 1480gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II Lens Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II
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35mm FF 750gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony DT 55-200mm F4-5.6 SAM Lens Sony DT 55-200mm F4-5.6 SAM
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APS-C / DX 305gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

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**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Pros and Cons of Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II


PROs
Built-in Autofocus
Hood supplied
Tripod Collar
Full-time Manual Focusing
Covers Full-Frame Sensor
Versatile Lens with a Zoom Ratio of 5

CONs
No Weather Sealing
Lens Extents while focusing
Slow Aperture at Wide end
Slow Aperture at Tele end
Variable Aperture
Heavy
Pricey
Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II Alternatives in Sony Alpha Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM Lens Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM
Compare
35mm FF 1490gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II Detailed Specifications


General
Brand Sony
Lens Type Zoom
Lens Type Telephoto Zoom
Lens Mount Sony Alpha
Max Format 35mm FF
Focal Range 70-400mm
Image Stabilization No
Colour Unknown
Zoom Method Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No Zoom
Zoom Lock No Zoom
Zoom Ratio 5.7X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F4.0 - F5.6
Min Aperture
Aperture Ring No
Diaphragm Blades unknown
Optics
Optical Elements 18
Optical Groups 12

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 1.5m
Max Magnification 0.27X
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type Ultrasonic
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal
Distance Scale Yes
DoF Scale Yes
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 1500g
Diameter 95mm
Length 196mm
Weather Sealing No
Filter Thread 77mm
Filter Notes -
Hood Supplied Yes
Tripod Collar Yes
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Frequently Asked Questions about Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II
is the Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II a Weather Sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II
is the Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II
Does Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II have Image Stabilization?
Does Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II have Aperture Ring?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II
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