Sony today announced the development of the long-awaited FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS Telephoto lens, with a target launch date in early 2024.

Large-aperture super-telephoto lenses like the FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS and FE 600mm F4 GM OSS are highly acclaimed by sports and wildlife photographers around the world for their outstanding resolution and AF performance, as well as being remarkably lightweight. As such, the new lens will feature the incredible high-resolution and spectacularly beautiful bokeh of Sony’s acclaimed line of flagship G Master™ series lenses, whilst also offering a far-reaching 300 mm focal length and F2.8 large aperture. This combination will deliver a new elevated shooting experience for all professional sports, news and event photographers and videographers looking to capture decisive moments with higher image quality.

Sony will continue to expand its attractive lens line-up in order to meet the demands and maximise the creative possibilities for all types of creators, including professionals, and expand the possibilities of artistic expression.

Additional details and specifications on the new FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS Telephoto Lens will be released at a later date.

However, also announced ..

Sony is radically changing the standard zoom category of lenses with the introduction of the FE 20-70mm F4 G (model – SEL2070G) that boasts an ultra-wide 20-70 mm zoom range in a remarkably compact, lightweight full-frame lens, with a constant F4 aperture throughout the zoom range. With impressive G Lens^TM image quality, high speed accuracy and tracking AF and a smart design for maximum mobility and operability, this new lens is designed for a wide range of creators. The FE 20-70mm F4 G is the perfect choice for a variety of content capture like vlogging and movie production through to still portraits and landscapes.

“The introduction of the FE 20-70mm F4 G delivers another G series lens adorned with many of the technologies that have flowed down from our flagship G Master lenses”, said Jun Yoon, Head of Digital Imaging, Sony Australia & New Zealand. “This new product is a fantastic option to add to the lens library of both still and video creators alike, with its compact, lightweight & robust design, packed full of the latest technology and features.”

Compact and lightweight new standard zoom covers ultra-wide 20-70 mm

With an unprecedentedⁱ ultra-wide 20 mm to 70 mm zoom range and constant F4 aperture, the FE 20-70mm F4 G offers outstanding optical performance in a remarkably compact, lightweight lens thanks to Sony’s latest lens design and XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors technology. Combined with a compact mirrorless body, this lens can deliver superb image quality in just about any situation at all focal lengths, providing an excellent solution for shooting with a minimum amount of equipment.

What’s more, filmmakers will appreciate the ultra-wide 20 mm end of the zoom range, which makes it possible to maintain a wide angle of view when shooting video with a 16:9 or 2.35:1 aspect ratio.

Outstanding image quality consistent with the G Lens logo

The new FE 20-70mm F4 G delivers the stunning image quality and gorgeous bokeh that photographers have come to expect from the G Lens marque.

With Sony’s latest technology, the new lens boasts unique G Lens image quality in a surprisingly compact and lightweight lens. With two AA (advanced aspherical) elements, one aspherical element, three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements, and one ED aspherical element, this lens’s state-of-the-art optical design simultaneously corrects chromatic and spherical aberration for extremely high optical performance across the whole zoom range.

Optimised coatings add high flare and ghost resistance to this superior optical design, giving it extraordinary contrast and clarity.

Beautiful bokeh is achieved with full-frame image sensors and is further enhanced by a 9- blade circular aperture and optimally tuned spherical aberration.

The FE 20-70mm F4 G’s short minimum focusing distance makes it easy to manoeuvre around subjects, such as small flowers, to find the ideal angle (0.3 meters at the wide end and 0.25 meters at the telephoto end of the zoom range when using AF)ⁱⁱ. Maximum magnification is 0.39x for dynamic, detailed close-ups.

Maximises camera AF performance for stills and video

The lens’s focus group is driven by two of Sony’s latest XD Linear Motors, providing high thrust for fast, quiet, low-vibration focus drive. Thrust efficiency has been significantly improved over previous modelsⁱⁱⁱ, resulting in up to a 60% increase in AF speed^iv, and because tracking performance has been improved by about 2 times compared to previous models^v, moving subjects are tracked with consistent reliability and precision. Reliable tracking is achieved when shooting continuous stills of fast-moving subjects at up to 30 frames per second with the Alpha^TM 1 body^vi, and can smoothly record when shooting video at a high frame rate.

Video performance designed for refined imagery

The FE 20-70mm F4 G features the latest lens technology to reduce focus breathing as well as focus and axial shift when zooming to ensure that the highest quality images are captured. This lens has also been carefully designed for quiet operation when shooting movies, with advanced XD linear motors and a newly developed aperture unit that dramatically reduces noise and vibration.

Alpha^TM series cameras’ Active Mode^vii image stabilisation is highly effective at the ultra-wide 20 mm end of the FE 20-70mm F4 G zoom range, providing excellent image stabilisation performance, whilst maintaining a wide angle of view. This can be particularly useful for shooting smooth, stable handheld footage whilst walking.

Focus is especially critical when shooting high-resolution 4K or 8K movies. The FE 20-70mm F4 G works with Alpha^TM series camera bodies to easily acquire accurate focus and smoothly track fast-moving subjects thanks to two high-thrust XD Linear Motors and a high-level control system in a compact, lightweight lens. The ability to leave focusing to the camera when shooting solo can be a huge advantage.

Linear Response MF^viii ensures that the focus ring responds directly and linearly to subtle control when focusing manually and an independent aperture ring offers direct, intuitive aperture control.

High-level operability and reliability for any environment

The new FE 20-70mm F4 G’s independent focus, zoom, and aperture rings feature optimised diameter, width, and positioning for full control when shooting stills as well as maximum versatility when recording video.

Customisable focus hold buttons are provided in two locations for easy access and convenient control and a focus mode switch on the side of the lens makes it possible to switch between autofocus and manual focus to quickly adapt to changing shooting conditions. Even though the lens is an ultra wide-angle, it is compatible with circular polarising filters to the edge of the lens, so the user has full creative control. It also includes an Iris Lock switch to prevent unwanted changes while shooting.

Lastly, the FE 20-70mm F4 G has a dust and moisture resistant design^ix and the front lens element features a fluorine coating that repels fingerprints, dust, water, oil, and other contaminants^x.