Sony 300mm 2.8 GM + TC2 vs 200-600mm: Which is Better?

In this video, I test the Sony 300mm 2.8 GM with a 2x teleconverter against the Sony 200-600mm lens for wildlife photography. Can the 300mm with the teleconverter really replace the versatile 200-600mm? We're taking a look at image quality, autofocus, and overall performance. To see if the 300mm 2.8 is reliable enough to leave the 200-600 at home when travelling!
This video might catch the interest of some of you, though I know it’s a pretty niche comparison. Considering the price difference, The Sony 300mm 2.8 GM with a 2x teleconverter and the 200-600mm aren’t exactly direct competitors.
Used in this video:
Sony A7R V ▶ geni.us/HEK7n
Sony 300mm 2.8 GM ▶geni.us/0iZb
FE 200-600 mm f5,6-6,3 G OSS ▶ geni.us/RUqO5P
Teleconverter ▶ geni.us/NPuLGN
My Photography GEAR:
GoPro Hero 11 ▶ geni.us/J3kaNKm
Sony A7R V ▶ geni.us/HEK7n
Sirui N-3213X ▶ geni.us/Pwwfb3H
Sirui BCH-10 Video Head ▶ geni.us/ShKEXgP
Sony 300mm 2.8 GM ▶geni.us/0iZb
FE 200-600 mm f5,6-6,3 G OSS ▶ geni.us/RUqO5P
FE 70-200 2.8 GM ▶geni.us/ACS8A
Sony 14mm 1.8 GM ▶ geni.us/7g0sTsN
Sony 20mm 1.8 G ▶ geni.us/J1r18
Sony 20-70mm F4 G ▶geni.us/79n4
Tamron 28-75 2.8 G2 ▶ geni.us/TheS
Teleconverter ▶ geni.us/NPuLGN
Camouflage Lens Cover ▶ geni.us/zb0PSU5
Small Tripod ▶ geni.us/DDvWX
ECM-B10 Microphone ▶ geni.us/wl5z
Omnicharge Omni 40+ ▶ geni.us/Zt1vx
My Headphones ▶ geni.us/NAFLuc
Tripod: Sirui N-3203x ▶ geni.us/ilFaw
Gimbal head: Sirui PH-10 ▶ geni.us/S2Q6233
Peak Design Camera Strap ▶ geni.us/ksQqG
PolarPro ND-Filter ▶ geni.us/A7QPI
Editing Monitor: BenQ PD3205U ▶ geni.us/X2hgLo
My favorite clothing ▶ geni.us/a2AF3Ff
Software:
MY LIGHTROOM PRESET PACK ▶ geni.us/5SWiEIV
Get MUSIC for your videos ▶ geni.us/96BCtPk
NOISE REDUCTION in my images: ▶ geni.us/denoise
SHARPENING my images with ▶ geni.us/sharpenai
UPSCALING cropped photos with ▶ geni.us/LpwbeX
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[@boostedgixxer]

Yes, for sure do a video with the 1.4x TC🙏

[@dca2267]

I love your videos so much that I ended up buying a 200-600 g oss and it's the best purchase of my life

[@darek_koralewski_photo]

It would be so great to have 300mm with inbuilt x1.4 TC. As always, great video😊

[@dhscaresme]

Yes this! ☝️

[@clarasdk]

I would love a video with the 200-600 and the 1.4 TC. It would also be super cool if you could test that setup with a A6700. With a crop sensor that would be equal to 1260mm :)

[@LisaSaffell]

I haven't used my 200-600 since I got the 300 2.8. The photos with the 1.4 TC are absolutely beautiful! I have been using the 100-400 and the 300 2.8 with the TC's.

[@lostworld4252]

Exact video I needed but for the Canon side. AMAZING VIDEO!

[@tofayelalomraihan]

I like your overall explanation. No negativity, no adult scene, no Brain sucking things. Watching you with a cup of Coffee, All anxiety gone. Now My Mind relaxed ☺☺Keep going and give us this type of video. I know i never afford this Camera & Lenses . Still Watching You☺☺Take love from your little fan from Bangladesh 🇧🇩

[@daltonbrowne7980]

I already wanted to upgrade my 200-600 to the 300 and teleconverters and this sold me even more!

[@rodrigomartin-hidalgo1592]

Love this lenses and equipment comparisons! Keep it coming!

[@ollenilssonen]

@@rodrigomartin-hidalgo1592 Appreciate that you’re commenting to say this! Cheers bud!

[@stanlygaston3305]

To be very sincere and honest with you, I bought my 200 600 lens thanks to you showing it in one of your videos and what it can do, excellent, that's why I came to the conclusion of buying it. I also have the teleconverter and I really don't regret this purchase. If I could buy another one it would be the 600 mm F4, but the price is practically unattainable for me at this moment since I am a father and the expenses with a child are very high.

[@ollenilssonen]

@@stanlygaston3305 The 200-600 is such a fantastic lens. great decision on getting it! Yes the 600 f4 would be a dream, but I agree. It’s very expensive and having food and clothes for the kids is a wise priority 😁

[@SymbiotAlpha]

I've been hearing this around KZbin a lot lately. I really love the idea of having the 300mm at 2.8, 420mm with 1.4 tc at F4, 600 with 2x tc at 5.6. but the price is just wild considering at 600mm there isn't too much of an advantage of at all besides weight.

[@KurtisPape]

And if you shoot small birds you will always naturally want to use the 2x converter, which will make you wonder why got a similar performing lens for 4 times the price.

[@videolecturesnet]

I absolutely love what you are doing. Your previous video review of the 200-600 convinced me to buy the lens. Thx for a lot of fun experience Dont stop!

[@MatthewMKF]

Only have the 200-600 currently but love the video

[@ollenilssonen]

@@MatthewMKF It’s such a great lens!

[@MatthewMKF]

@@ollenilssonen I know, I love it!

[@kingghidorah8106]

I don't care about the focal length, give me the fattest lenses!! i love your vids man, you were the guy that ensured me that the A7IV was totally worth going for. I'm IN LOVE with these 120 AF calcs per second. Only missing with screwdriver lenses.

[@PetOnYoutube]

using A tc 1.4 for my 200 600 will try a 2x later. and im enjoying ur content bro.

[@dhscaresme]

Great review and 100% inline with what I have experienced! I also purchased the 300 w/ a 2x. I’ve since acquired a 1.4x and that’s where the sweet spot is. And when it gets dark access to 2.8 is *chefs kiss*! The 2x is just good to have on hand. My dream prime setup is the 300/2.8 (with TCs in the bag) and 600/4. OTOH, I’d rather use that 600/4 money on a big trip!!

[@ollenilssonen]

@@dhscaresme Thank you! That’s fantastic, it’s such a powerful combo! That sounds like a great priority where to put the money, totally agree on that!

[@canmtb4676]

thanks for the video that has convinced me to stick to 200-600 with A93.

[@BennyGangsters]

your photos are unreal!!

[@ajnyc22]

Thanks, Olle - that was awesome and very helpful! 😊

[@ollenilssonen]

@@ajnyc22 Glad you enjoyed it!🙌

[@LUITESLIFE]

Mmm ok 300mm f2.8 (with converter) looks sharper to me @2:15 - or it could be the contrast. Tiny difference though. The 200-600mm performs insanely well for the price.

[@KurtisPape]

Just the video I needed! I think the 300mm F2.8 would perform better with a 1.4x TC, for me 420mm would just be too short and would only be good as a birds in flight lens. I think I will stick to the 200-600mm and wait for a Sony 500mm or 600mm lightweight prime.

[@gussa23]

Great comparisson, commited through the whole video even though I'll never have the budget for a 300mm prime :D One thing though, for a fair comparisson, espessially for the bokeh, the aputure should be the same for the photos. A side point can be that the prime can open up more for better bokeh and light, but when comparing the quality they should have the same settings. Might be why you didn't get the same focus result on the branch aswell, since the focus field is smaller on the 300mm :)

[@MeAMuse]

Great video. I recently got the 200-600 to supplement my 100-400. I was definitely wondering whether the 300mm would be worth it. I definitely think I am going to skip it now though (what I really want is a 400mm F4). If I were you I would compare the 300 F2.8 with 1.4 TC with both the 200-600 and the 100-400.

[@AcharyaVision]

You are my inspiration😍. Can't thank you more. ❤

[@ollenilssonen]

@@AcharyaVision Thank you, I really appreciate it!🙏🏻

[@jshorts637]

Also the price difference is crazy 😅it's around £6300 for the teleconverter setup but £1500 for the 200-600 - still a great video though

[@Bo_Hazem]

200-600mm is superior for filmmaking as it can take matte boxes. But photography needs usually higher shutter speed when you can getaway with 1/50s for 24fps or even 1/250s for 120fps.

[@teashii]

Amazing video, as always! Cant stop watching em. Personally, Id still take the 200-600 over the 300mm lens, since its a zoom lens, and in most cases, I preffer zooms over primes.

[@Trident_Media7104]

Surely we are due a Sony FE 200-600mm Mkii soon? 😍

[@AndyLSB]

So what you're saying is that I NEED BOTH 300 F2.8 and the 200-600 to be happy ? 🤔 Sounds about right 🤭 who needs a house or a car or food am I right ? 😂 lol Great video, both are fantastic lenses, its a complement to each other IMO, the 200-600 its a fantastic lens and will STILL be a tool for professionals who want versatility but when the moment is right, the 300 will shine and show EXACTLY why it is that expensive, I would have 2 bodies ready, one with the prime and the other with the Zoom.

[@PhotoTrekr]

I have the 200-600mm G lens and I'm pretty happy with it. I'd love to have the 300mm GM. But, being an amateur photographer, at $6K, I'll have to pass.

[@ollenilssonen]

@@PhotoTrekr The 200-600 is such a great lens. Congrats on owning it! The 300 is amazing, but the price of it is very hard to justify for most amateur and hobbyist photographers. Personally, If I wouldn’t do this as my full time job, I would never be able to justify it. Cheers!

[@RichardLarssen]

Great video. I use the 200-600 G and I am wondering about replacing it with the 300. Have you tested it with the 1.4X teleconverter also? I have that, so that would "make" it a great 420mm F/4. A video of that would be great. I have heard the 1.4X is stellar with this lens, much better than the 2X.

[@ollenilssonen]

@@RichardLarssen I’ve so far only tested it for about 10 minutes in the backyard. The sharpness is outstanding with 1.4x! Excited to give it a real try soon

[@EliasHes]

Hello Olle i must say amazing video i really enjoyed it. More videos please. And can we see a video about you how are you cleaning your lens sensor camera what products are you using to clean camera gear and so on thanks bye and stay great. 😉

[@Daveswildlife]

Most people find the 300 GM + x.20 to be sharper and has more contrast than 200-600. I did. Perhaps you have a really good 200-600?

[@funtaril]

200-600 seems to have larger angle of view, so it's probably actually less than 600mm at closer and medium distances

[@frostybe3r]

Ah, you made it, i just sold my Sigma 500 5.6 for the 300 2.8.

[@frostybe3r]

Another major difference is the minimum focus distance shooting, subject will be significantly bigger on the 300 + 2X than the 200-600, not to mention if you were to use an A9iii or A1, the AF would better than the A7RV and also not having to deal with the refocusing between shots.

[@terje5723]

Thx Olle, was curious about this comparison. While the F5.6 does have somewhat better bokeh, the sharpness etc. of the 200-600 is very impressive. For an amateur as myself upgrading makes absolutely no sense. Would love to see if the 300 fares better with the 1.4x converter which I suspect it will

[@Jonathantuba]

I got the 300 back in March and honestly have not bothered using the 200-600 since, although I am purely a photographer and don't take videos. For mis-focusing with the 2x I have not experienced. However I am using with the A9iii, so that issue could be something specific with the A7Rv combination? I know there was something similar with the 200-600 when it first came out until a firmware update.

[@fredlar9421]

In theory, if two lenses have the same focal length, the physically longer one has the better optical quality. It's simple, the shorter lens needs to bend the light at greater angle than the longer one. Of course it may not be 100% correct, the elements material and precision can over turn the above. When the two lenses are at the same grade, for example 600/4, Sony=Canon, and better than Nikon who is the shortest.

[@sgpork]

God lens. Yea with 1.4 or 2x. This lens is so reliable. I like how it is so much smaller and lighter than the bigger brother 400/600 which are each double the cost of 300 and double the weight as well. I hope Sony make more long prime that are lighter. I dont need f2.8 or f4. I just dont want 3kg lens and 20 thousand dollar lens.

[@jkejules]

Hey, I've been watching you for quite a while now. I'm really into animal/wildlife photography and I'm thinking about getting my first telephoto lens (I currently use the Tamron 28-200). I've been watching reviews and I'm thinking about getting the Tamron 150-500mm FE instead of the 200-600 as the tamron is a lot more lightweight and affordable. I'm curious to know if you or anybody has used that lens and has any feedback or suggestions. thanks :)

[@KYOS_dnb]

bought a used 200-600 for the price of a new tamron and im very happy with it

[@BOT-om4dz]

Would like to see a video like this with iphone 16 pro max....

[@runepehrsson73]

Thanks for all good videos. 1.4 with the 200-600 would be really nice to see 👍

[@Hawke-YT]

Whats a good camera and lens under 500?

[@sayantanmondal1998]

Just got my first camera and lens 2 days back (a6700 and 200-600mm). Wanted know one thing. Do you use any uv filter on these lenses for protection?

[@ollenilssonen]

@@sayantanmondal1998 Congrats on an awesome camera setup, I’m excited for you!! No I don’t use any filerts😊

[@TomatenDK]

Which of the 3 "modes" on the lens are you using for the bird on the branch ? I either get unsharp og huge iso noise (auto iso). Really frustrating that I strigle so much with this lens :( I know Im not a pro....but still....

[@ollenilssonen]

I 99% of the time use the full focus distance. Auto ISO is very convenient, but I find the camera to often overexpose the images. So if you haven’t, try to underexpose on the exp-compensation wheel to about -1.3/1.7. it could you you achive a bit sharper photos!

[@TomatenDK]

@@ollenilssonen thank you for that tip. BTW I ment which "focus modes" on the lens :) F.ex I was shooting dogs running and playing and couldnt get super sharp shots. Maybe cause of the light end of afternoon. But what mode would you use for that maybe ? Panning (mode 2) ? Or should mode 1 be just fine ? And what mode for birds ? 2 for panning or 3 for erratic movement ?

[@pentagramyt417]

3:57 so now we can compare apples to apples! The quality of 300 mm with x2.0 TC is unworth only when comparing image quality, because it's bassicaly the same, if you would like cash out with this amount of money only for that, it's unworthy again.. This lens make sens only with 300 mm f2.8 as it is, and 420 mm f4.0 with x1.4 tc. It just gives you OPTIONS in every light situations which 200-600 doesn't give! 200-600 is really GREAT lens, the same as 300 mm + x2.0 gm, but it's heavier. Once they update the lens (taking some weight out) it might be perfect zoom lens FOR WILDLIFE. In the other hand, people missunderstand 300 mm f2.8 is MOSTLY sport photography lens, to have more mobility on the pitch.

[@irbis8801]

You need canon rf 100-300 mm f2.8 ))

[@ollenilssonen]

A fast 300mm zoom would be so nice!!

[@irbis8801]

@@ollenilssonen than you should change the camera system))

[@InokaWijewardana]

Is this a good video : yes Do i want it: yes Can i afford it : no

[@BOT-om4dz]

watch all your videos, I will make blogging videos on KZbin, which camera, which lens would be better, if you could give me a video

[@alhOOO2O]

You should compare the 300mm 2.8 at 6.3 with the 200-600mm at 300mm and 6.3 - that’ll give you idea of any sharpness advantages native to the 300mm (and thus how much denigration is due to the teleconverter)

[@iOSBiRD]

I think 200-600 is best for real world cause Animals will not be at the correct distance, so 300mm not enough.

[@kheankimhong]

❤❤❤😊😊😊🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@alhOOO2O]

The Sony 2x teleconverter is absolute garbage; wish that Sony would update that piece of kit, it’s so useful!

[@frostybe3r]

Comment from someone who clearly doesn't shoot.

[@alhOOO2O]

@@frostybe3r 🤣🤣🤣 I use the 70-200mm GM II and the 200-600mm regularly. I wish the 2x converter was any good, it would be a staple in my bag. Unfortunately it isn’t, so I use the 1.4x instead

[@frostybe3r]

@@alhOOO2O It isn't good because you're not using it on the proper lens, enough said.

[@ogulcanyolcu8714]

How is the sharpness differences between the 300mm f2.8 photo and 600 f6.3 photo? When you zoom 2x the picture is it still sharper than the 600mm?

[@ollenilssonen]

@@ogulcanyolcu8714 I would say yes, the contrast and sharpness of the 300mm are exceptional. However, the lens compression of the 600mm creates a different mood and appearance in the photos. Which makes them difficult to directly compare imo! This could be an idea for a video, thank you!