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Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS E Mount Review

Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS

Main Features

  • 70-300mm Focal Range
  • F4.5 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Weather-sealed
  • Filter Thread: 72mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 854g / 1.88 lb
  • Dimensions(øxL): 84mm x 144mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.9m
  • Max Magnification: 0.31x
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Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Overview


Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 is a Variable aperture Auto Focus (AF) Telephoto Zoom lens with Optical Image stabilization and 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with E Mount cameras.

What type of photography is the Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 lens good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use the Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Suitability
Bird/WildlifeGood
SportsGood
PortraitAverage
TravelFair
StreetFair
WeddingAverage
Walk AroundAverage
VloggingPoor
LandscapeAverage
MacroAverage

Reasons to Buy Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS Lens

Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.

PROs
Optical Image Stabilization
Weather-sealed
Autofocus
Hood supplied
Full-time Manual Focusing
Focus Distance Limiter
Zoom Lock
Covers Full-Frame Sensor
9 Diaphragm Blades for Smooth Bokeh
Report a correction

Buy Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 from Amazon or B&H PHOTO


CONs
Lens Extents while zooming
Slow Aperture at Wide end
Slow Aperture at Tele end
Variable Aperture
Pricey


Lens Mount

Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 is compatible with cameras that have a Sony E lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony E lenses are Sony A7C Mark II, Sony A7CR and Sony A6700.

Sony A7C Mark II with Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Lens Size
Sony A7C Mark II with the Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Lens
Sony A7CR with Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Lens Size
Sony A7CR with the Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Lens
Sony A6700 with Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Lens Size
Sony A6700 with the Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Lens

Size, Weight and Filter Thread

Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 has a maximum diameter of 84mm and total length of 144mm when not extended. It weighs 854g / 30.1 oz.

Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 has a filter thread of 72mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6:

  • 72mm Variable ND Lens Filters
  • 72mm Circular Polarizer Lens Filters
  • 72mm Clear Protection Lens Filters




Focal Range

Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 has a focal range of 70-300mm and 4.3X zoom ratio. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 105 - 450mm.



Weather Sealings

The Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 is a weather-sealed lens, which provides extra protection to prevent water and dust get inside the lens and camera body under light rain, snow and wind. In order to have effective protection, you have to pair the Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 with a weather-sealed camera body such as the Sony A7C Mark II, Sony A7CR and Sony A6700.

Optical Image Stabilization

The Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 features an optical image stabilization system which helps to reduce the blur that occurs due to shaking during hand-held shooting.

Zoom Method

Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 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.

Zoom Lock

Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 has a Zoom lock feature which eliminates Zoom creep where focal length of the lens changes with gravity when it's held downwards or upwards.

Maximum Magnification Ratio

Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.31x and has a minimum focusing distance of 0.9m. For a non-macro lens, the 0.31x is considered a high magnification and will come handy for close-up shots.

Below are the 3 Telephoto Zoom type Sony E mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:

  • Sony FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS II: 0.5x - (Compare)
  • Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II: 0.3x - (Compare)
  • Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM: 0.25x - (Compare)

Aperture

Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 is a variable aperture lens with a max aperture of f4.5 and a minimum aperture of f22 at 70mm, and a max aperture of f5.6 and minimum aperture of f29 at 300mm .

Focal Length Max Aperture Min Aperture
70mm F4.5 F22
300mm F5.6 F29

Optical Formula

Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6's optical formula consists of 16 elements in 13 groups . Following special elements are used in this design:

  • Four aspherical
  • two ED elements + Nano AR coating

Lens Hood

Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos. The model number of the hood is ALC-SH144.

Body Colour

Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 is available in Black color.

Popular Comparisons of Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6

Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 amongst Camera Decision readers.

Top Alternatives of Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Lens
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Sony FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS Lens Sony FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS
Compare
35mm FF 840 g / 1.85 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS Lens Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS
Compare
APS-C / DX 625 g / 1.38 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC Lens Tamron 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC
Compare
35mm FF 1,155 g / 2.54 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 70-300 F4.5-6.3 Di RXD III Lens Tamron 70-300 F4.5-6.3 Di RXD III
Compare
35mm FF 545 g / 1.20 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD Lens Tamron 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
Compare
35mm FF 1,724 g / 3.79 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS Lens Sony FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS
Compare
35mm FF 780 g / 1.72 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD Lens Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Compare
35mm FF 815 g / 1.79 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS Lens Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
Compare
35mm FF 1,395 g / 3.07 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo


**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.

Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS Alternatives in Sony E Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS Lens Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS
Compare
APS-C / DX 625 g / 1.38 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS Lens Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS
Compare
APS-C / DX 345 g / 0.76 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC Lens Tamron 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC
Compare
35mm FF 1155 g / 2.54 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 70-300 F4.5-6.3 Di RXD III Lens Tamron 70-300 F4.5-6.3 Di RXD III
Compare
35mm FF 545 g / 1.20 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo

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Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Detailed Specifications


General
Brand Sony
Lens Type Zoom
Lens Type Telephoto Zoom
Lens Mount Sony E
Max Format 35mm FF
Focal Range 70-300mm
Image Stabilization Yes
Colour Black
Zoom Method Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No
Zoom Lock Yes
Zoom Ratio 4.3X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F4.5 - F5.6
Min Aperture F22 - F29
Aperture Ring No
Diaphragm Blades 9
Optics
Optical Elements 16
Optical Groups 13
Special Elements Four aspherical and two ED elements + Nano AR coating

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 0.9m
Max Magnification 0.31X
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type Linear Motor
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal
Focus Distance Limiter Yes
Distance Scale No
DoF Scale No
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 854g
Diameter 84mm
Length 144mm
Weather Sealing Yes
Filter Thread 72mm
Filter Notes -
Hood Supplied Yes
Hood Code ALC-SH144
Tripod Collar No
Report a Correction
Frequently Asked Questions about Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS
is the Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS a Weather-sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS
is the Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS
Does Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS have Image Stabilization?
Does Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS have Aperture Ring?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS


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