In this guide we’ll be taking a look at the best Sony telephoto prime lenses to buy in 2024.
Prime lenses have a fixed focal length. If you are looking for a lens with a variable focal length then please head over to my Sony Telephoto Zoom Lens Guide.
For the latest Sony telephoto prime lens deals I’d recommending taking a look at B&H Photo.
1. Sony FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS Prime Lens
The Sony FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS is Sony’s most recent telephoto prime lens to hit the market.
This 300mm F2.8 prime lens weighs only 1470g (51.9oz) which makes it the lightest in its class and the same weight as the original Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM.
The dual XD linear motors are extremely fast and can even keep up with shooting 120 fps that the Sony A9III is capable of.
Image quality is as good as it gets and the lens works very well with both the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters.
You can find some sample images from this lens over on the forum in our Sony FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS Image Thread.
Key Specs
| Model Name: | SEL300F28GM |
| Format: | 35 mm full frame |
| Focal Length (mm): | 300 mm |
| Angle of View (35 mm): | 8°10′ |
| Maximum Aperture: | F2.8 |
| Minimum Aperture: | F22 |
| Lens Groups / Elements: | 17 groups, 21 elements (including one filter) |
| Aperture Blades: | 11 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance: | 2 m (6.57 ft) |
| Maximum Magnification Ratio: | 0.16x |
| Lens Image Stabilization: | Yes (3 modes) |
| Filter Diameter: | 40.5mm |
| Teleconverter Support: | Yes: 1.4x / 2x |
| Diameter: | 4.9in. / 124mm |
| Length: | 10.45in. / 265 mm |
| Weight: | 51.9 oz. / 1470 g (Without tripod mount) |
Pros
- Great Sony GM build quality and weather sealing
- Very sharp even at F2.8
- Good CA control
- Very fast and quiet autofocus
- Lightweight and compact
- Supports both 1.4x and 2x teleconverters
Cons
- None
What’s in the Box
- Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E)
- Front Lens Cap
- Sony ALC-R1EM Rear Lens Cap
- ALC-SH175 Lens Hood
- Tripod Mount
- Drop-In Filter
- Lens Strap
- Soft Case
- Limited 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty
Review
To learn more about the Sony FE 300mm F2.8 GM OS telephoto prime lens I’d recommend watching this review from Gerald Undone.
Check Price & Buyer Reviews: Sony FE 300 F2.8 GM Lens
At: B&H Photo | Amazon
2. Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS Prime Lens
I don’t own this lens myself but I know from many Alpha Shooters who do that it is extremely sharp across the frame and has terrific autofocus performance even with the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters attached that take the reach to 560mm and 800mm respectively.
For a large prime lens it still manages to weigh in at only 2895g (102.12 oz.).
If there was one negative it’s definitely the price. At $11,998.00 in the US or £10,499.00 in the UK, many of us will need to start selling body parts to afford it!
Key Specs
| Model Name: | SEL400F28GM |
| Format: | 35 mm full frame |
| Focal Length (mm): | 400 mm |
| Angle of View (35 mm): | 6°10′ |
| Maximum Aperture: | F2.8 |
| Minimum Aperture: | F22 |
| Lens Groups / Elements: | 17-23 Including one filter |
| Aperture Blades: | 11 circular |
| Minimum Focusing Distance: | 8.86 ft (2.7 m) |
| Maximum Magnification Ratio: | 0.16x |
| Lens Image Stabilization: | Yes (3 modes) |
| Filter Diameter: | 40.5 (slot-in) |
| Teleconverter Support: | Yes: 1.4x / 2x |
| Diameter: | 6-1/4″ / 158.1 mm |
| Length: | 14-1/4″ / 359 mm |
| Weight: | 102.2 oz / 2,895 g |
Pros
- Outstanding build quality and weather sealing
- Sharpness wide-open
- Chromatic abberation control
- Autofocus speed and accuracy
- Weight for a 400mm F2.8 prime lens
- Teleconverter support
Cons
- Very expensive
What’s in the Box
- Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS lens
- Front Lens Cap
- Sony ALC-R1EM Rear Lens Cap
- Sony ALC-SH155 Lens Hood
- Lens Strap
- Hard Case
- Case Strap
Review
He is a Sony Ambassador but Mark Galer definitely has one of the best reviews of the Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS lens and is the one that I’d recommend watching to learn more about it.
3. Sony FE 600mm F4 GM OSS Prime Lens
If you thought that the 400mm F2.8 GM was expensive then you should probably skip straight past the Sony FE 600mm F4 GM OSS lens, which at $12,998.00 or £11,999.00 is Sony’s most expensive super telephoto lens ever.
Just like the 400mm F2.8 this is an exceptionally sharp lens with lightning fast autofocus performance. Point this lens at your subject and it really has no chance of getting away!
Both the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters are also supported, taking this lens to 900mm or 1200mm.
Below you’ll find a few images that I’ve shot with this lens. You can find further images over on the forum in our Sony FE 600mm F4 GM OSS Lens Image Thread.
Key Specs
| Model Name: | SEL600F40GM |
| Format: | 35 mm full frame |
| Focal Length (mm): | 600 mm |
| Angle of View (35 mm): | 4°10′ |
| Maximum Aperture: | F4 |
| Minimum Aperture: | F22 |
| Lens Groups / Elements: | 18–24 Including one filter |
| Aperture Blades: | 11 circular |
| Minimum Focusing Distance: | 14.8 ft (4.5 m) |
| Maximum Magnification Ratio: | 0.14x |
| Lens Image Stabilization: | Yes (3 modes) |
| Filter Diameter: | 40.5 (slot-in) |
| Teleconverter Support: | Yes: 1.4x / 2x |
| Diameter: | 6 1/2″ / 163.6 mm |
| Length: | 17 3/4″ / 449 mm |
| Weight: | 107.3 oz / 3,040 g |
Pros
- Outstanding build quality and weather sealing
- Sharpness wide-open
- Chromatic abberation control
- Autofocus speed and accuracy
- Weight for a 600mm F4 prime lens
- Teleconverter support
Cons
- Very expensive
What’s in the Box
- Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens
- Front Lens Cap
- Sony ALC-R1EM Rear Lens Cap
- Sony ALC-SH158 Lens Hood
- Lens Strap
- Hard Case
- Case Strap
Review
Whilst not an in-depth review I’d highly recommend watching this video from Mark Smith to see exactly what this lens is capable of in the right hands:
4. Sigma 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS Sports Prime Lens
The Sigma 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS Sports is the only third-party telephoto prime lens currently available for Sony E-mount.
Sigma initially lent me this lens to tryout and I was so impressed with it that I decided to buy one for myself. Since it arrived my Sony FE 200-600 has been collecting dust.
The Sigma 500 weighs just 1,365g (with foot but without hood and caps). The lens hood of the Sigma 500 weighs 150g which takes the total weight up to 1,515g.
The Sigma features 3 customizable buttons, a focus limiter switch, AF/MF switch, OS switch with modes 1/2 and off.
The Sigma also has a Custom switch with the options (OFF | C1 | C2). Unfortunately unlike L-mount shooters who can use the Sigma USB Dock to customize these functions, Sony shooters are stuck with the default settings. C1 is called “Dynamic View” and offers a recognizable OS effect in the viewfinder to help with composition. C2 is called “Moderate View” and focuses more on stabilizing the image at capture and less on stabilizing the viewfinder.
There’s also de-clickable and lockable aperture ring on the Sigma, this will probably be appreciated more by videographers than photographers.
A silky smooth focus ring is located towards the rear of the lens just behind the aperture ring.
The lens foot is removable and has integrated dovetails making it arca-swiss compatible. However, it could do with being a little larger because there’s not a lot to hold onto if you want to carry the lens by its foot.
As you would expect from a Sigma prime lens the image quality is very good and the autofocus is accurate and fast. So far I’ve mainly used it on my A1 and it had not trouble tracking birds in flight.
If you are curious about how it compares to the 200-600 then I’ve started putting together a Sigma 500mm VS Sony FE 200-600 Comparison that you might find interesting.
Below you’ll find a few images that I’ve shot with this lens. You can find further images over on the forum in our Sigma 500 F5.6 DG DN OS Sports Image Thread.
Key Specs
| Model Name: | S024 |
| Format: | 35 mm full frame |
| Focal Length (mm): | 500 mm |
| Angle of View (35 mm): | 5.0° |
| Maximum Aperture: | F5.6 |
| Minimum Aperture: | F32 |
| Lens Groups / Elements: | 20 elements in 14 groups (3 FLD, 2 SLD) |
| Aperture Blades: | 11 (rounded diaphragm) |
| Minimum Focusing Distance: | 320cm / 126.0in. |
| Maximum Magnification Ratio: | 1:6 |
| Lens Image Stabilization: | Yes |
| Filter Diameter: | 95mm |
| Teleconverter Support: | No |
| Diameter: | 4.2in. / 107.6mm |
| Length: | 9.3in / 236.6mm |
| Weight: | 48.1oz. / 1,365g without hood |
Pros
- Well built and weather sealed
- Very light and compact for a 500mm F5.6 prime telephoto lens
- Useful switches and buttons
- Aperture ring
- Fast and quiet autofocus motor
- Very effective Optical Stabilizer
- Very sharp across the frame
- Less vignette and distortion than zoom lenses
- No fringing visible
- lovely bokeh
- Very good flare resistance
Cons
- No teleconverter support
- Limited to 15 frames per second due to Sony’s limitation on 3rd party lenses.
What’s in the Box
- Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS Sports Lens (Sony E)
- Case
- LH1034-02 Lens Hood
- Sigma LCF-95 III 95mm Lens Cap
- Sigma LCR II Rear Lens Cap for Sony E
- Sigma TS-151 Tripod Socket
- Lens Strap
- Allen Wrench
- 2 x Screw
- Limited 4-Year Manufacturer Warranty
Review
To learn more about the Sigma 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS Sports lens I’d recommend watching this review from Dustin Abbott.
Complete List of Sony E-mount Lenses & Latest Firmware
Please visit my Sony E-Mount Lenses List for a complete list of Sony E-mount lenses.
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