The Sony 100-400 GM in 2022. Just how good is it? In depth review (plus photo and video samples!)

The Sony 100-400 G-Master telephoto lens is one of Sony's best lenses.
In this video, I'll show you why.
I'll take you through the build quality, the performance of the lens (also compared against other telephoto lenses), and then the overall value of the lens.
If you like the video, please consider liking and subscribing! Thanks.
**TIMESTAMPS**
1. BUILD FEATURES (00:00:45)
2. PERFORMANCE (00:03:24)
a. sharpness (00:05:39)
b. photo samples and lens comparisons (00:06:58)
c. video stabilization (00:09:44)
4. VALUE AND CONCLUSION (00:10:45)
Music: www.bensound.com via Creative Commons

[@matthewj.sanchez2425]

Great review, very useful. Thanks!

[@ericinthewild]

You are welcome!

[@theinfinate]

legendary video bro

[@ericinthewild]

I appreciate the support!

[@leoven99]

Thank you for the nice review. Could you please share some tips on shooting hand held video with this lens paired with A7r4. Kind regards- Ven

[@ericinthewild]

Hi Ven - same concepts apply for the modes when you are or are not panning. Otherwise; be stable, and go slow. :) Enjoy!

[@vettepwr23]

Nice video. Have this lens and a 1.4 TC. Rented the 200-600 which performed great but needed the smaller size and weight so I opted for this lens instead. My biggest gripe about this lens is the zoom smoothness. When on the smooth setting you almost want to tilt it up to zoom out and tilt it down to zoom in. The lens also creeps out when walking around even while being on the tight setting. I have an a7rii and the autofocus and buffer are terrible as expected. Need to upgrade to a better body. Any suggestions? Sell the a7rii and get an A7R3? Or keep the R2 and get a A9? I also considered an a6400 too but the ergonomics aren’t so good. Thanks!

[@ericinthewild]

Oopf. Tough question. For me, I would certainly upgrade either to the A7R3 or A9. Which one of those two, however, is a bit of a pickle. I went back and forth, but the deal came for the R and I went for it and I am 100% satisfied with my camera. That said, perhaps there really is something that I am missing with respect to the A9; like that wicked fast electronic non-blur shutter, or better EVF... but since I do not have it, I do not know of them, and as I said, I am actually still 100% satisfied with the A7R3 :).

[@AdamRifi]

Looks like a great lens, wanted to get a Telephoto for my Sony for a while now :)

[@ericinthewild]

Well, as I said, it is pretty versatile! Do you do mostly video or also photography?

[@alibuhlaiqa8384]

Man do you have access to my search history 😂. I been looking for all KZbin videos reviews for this lens. I have seen some recent reviews for Sony 100-400 GM, it seem all these videos are trigger either by the new temron 70-180 or Sony 200-600. It seems everyone want temron to jump with their own 100 to 400 equivalent Any excellent video keep them coming and have more sample video.

[@ericinthewild]

Ha! I am happy to have come to the rescue! Thank you for the kind words and I'll have a supplementary video with sample video and another with sample photos out soon!

[@njrtech]

I initially sold 100400GM for the 200600G. I quickly realized it was a mistake. I ended up repurchasing the 100400GM for use with my A7RIV. Gives me superb image quality in APSC mode at 600mm equivalent at f5.6 and 26mpx! I still like and use my 200600G, but only for small birds when I need reach beyond 600mm. Also the Minimum Focus Distance is a huge benefit...i don't need a macro, i use the 100400GM. And for sharpness....its very very sharp on the A7RIV...i noticed a jump in resolution from my A7RM3. It is also sharper than the 200600G.

[@alibuhlaiqa8384]

@@njrtech Just purchased Sony 100-400 GM, next day Sigma announced 100-400 with half the priced. Somehow, the 400 won't give me the enough reach even with crop mode. It's I might buy the teleconvertor, but don't if I should get the 2x or 1.4x

[@derekvanditmars9136]

​@@alibuhlaiqa8384the 1.4x reduces your f-stop by 1 step, the 2.0x reduces your f-stop by 2 steps.

[@tsizzle]

What about the Tamron 50-400mm f4.5-6.3? Would you get that lens over the Sony 100-400mm GM?

[@ericinthewild]

I've never used it. I suppose the extra 50mm would be nice if it's the same quality and weight and size.

[@missymistygirl]

Do you have tutorials on using this specific lens?

[@ericinthewild]

Hi Misty - I do have one other video focused on showcasing cinematic samples with the lens, but perhaps that isn't what you mean. What exactly would you want to see regarding a tutorial for using this lens?

[@kolapyellow7631]

It's prettty expensive, toooooo. I don't have the "R" series. Just the 7ii. Is this lens for an amateur??.

[@ericinthewild]

It is expensive, you are right. Whether the lens if for you, that is tough to say! It depends what you want out of life Kolap! If you are just wanting a telephoto and you are short on cash, I'd say maybe try a different route. If you are going to be shooting action and kind of need that fast AF, then this is kind of the best option you have. If you are doing basically anything other than action or BIF (though honestly, I have success shooting BIF with manual focus lenses too...), you can go a cheaper option. For example, vintage zooms or even using MC11 converter with Sigma 100-400; or even the Sony 70-300! Or adapt the A-mount 70-400s!

[@yadtraveller9623]

@@ericinthewild can it be use for sports photography such as horse racing ? , and also if you have sample images captured from this lens. Thank you

[@TheJustindolbear]

I love this lens with my a7rii. My next upgrade is a7r4. So then I can go in cropped mode and push the lens to 600 and still have 26 megapixels. Right now I get 18mp when I do that.

[@ericinthewild]

I agree - that punch in with APSC mode is one of the coolest things. I find myself using it quite often. That's one of the main advantages I give the R over the normal A7iii. And you're right, with the R4, man, you have more megapixels in APSC mode than the A7iii does normally!

[@jleason2003]

Those birds are so distracting. Lav mic please.