Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS II Lens Review
There are certain classic lenses, and the ubiquitous 70-200mm is certainly one of them. The choice has always been between a relatively expensive f/2.8 lens and a lower-cost f/4 design, the latter being less expensive, lighter and sometimes even performing better. Sony now introduces a second generation version of their f/4 lens, the full frame FE 70-200mm f/4 Macro G OSS II optic; claiming it to be faster in operation, lighter, better quality and able to focus down to a magnification of 1:2, half life-size, thus validating the designation as a macro lens. Add the optional 2x converter, and that magnification becomes 1:1, or life-size, the equal of most modern macro lenses. This all adds up to a very tempting package of features, so let’s see if the lens can live up to that promise, matching it up with the 42MP Sony A7R III full-frame body.
Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 OSS II Handling and Features
The lens is relatively light and compact, weighing in at 900g with a tripod mount and hood and just 820g if the tripod mount is removed. Dimensions without the hood are around 150mm long and 75mm in diameter. Adding the hood extends the length to 215mm. The supplied petal lens hood bayonets cleanly into position and the click stop holds it in place reliably. Within the bayonet fit for the hood is a conventional 72mm filter thread.
First up is the electronic focusing ring, which is very light in action and utterly smooth. It is arguably slightly too light and could be easily nudged, but if necessary there is a switch provided to disable the feature, to avoid changing the focus point accidentally. Focusing is driven by 4 XD (Extreme Dynamic) motors and it is claimed that this results in AF being 20% faster than the previous model. It is certainly lightning-fast and enables tracking to continue even during zooming. The no blackout feature with the Alpha 1 camera is also supported, up to 30fps. The lens is a parfocal zoom, so it also maintains its focus as we zoom. Focusing does not change the overall length of the lens. Focus breathing is also suppressed.
As mentioned above, this can claim to be a macro lens, offering half-life size reproduction, a magnification of 1:2. There was a time when all prime macro lenses focused down to this, so it is a valid claim. Minimum focusing is down to 0.26m (0.86 feet) at 70mm to 0.42m (1.38 feet) at 200mm, and the magnification remains at 1:2 all the way through the focal length range. The lens is compatible with the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters, and with the 2x converter, this gives a focal length range of 140-400mm and a magnification of life-size, or 1:1. Next along from the focusing ring are three conveniently placed focus hold buttons.
Whereas the internal focusing does not change the dimensions of the lens, the zooming action does, extending the length up to 270mm including the hood. The zoom action is smooth, even and not unduly heavy. There are clear markings at 70mm, 100mm, 135mm and 200mm and these accurately report the actual focal lengths. A small lock switch is provided so the lens can be secured at 70mm, preventing zoom creep when it is being transported.
There are several switches on the lens barrel, and these prove to be rather convenient. The AF/MF switch is self-explanatory and is joined by a second Full Time DMF on/off that disables the ability to manually focus whilst AF is active. As already alluded to, this is pertinent as the manual focus ring could be liable to be nudged accidentally, being so light in its action. There is a focus limiter, allowing choices of full range, infinity to 3m and macro. This no doubt speeds up AF in the appropriate circumstances, but the speed is very fast anyway.
OSS (Optical Steady Shot) on/off is also self-explanatory. On this day, this reviewer managed to achieve a 5-stop advantage using OSS at 200mm. The other perennial question is whether or not OSS should be used when the camera is mounted on a tripod. It is worth individual photographers checking this for themselves with whatever kit they are using, but with this lens, which offers the lens’s own OSS only, it seems to make not one jot of difference. There is one further switch for OSS, a mode dial with three options, depending on whether we need a general setting or panning.
Optical construction is 19 elements in 13 groups, including 1 Aspheric, 3 ED (Extra Low Dispersion), 1 AA (Advanced Aspheric) and 1 ED (Extra Low Dispersion), arranged in two floating groups to maintain sharpness at all distances. The front element has a Fluorine coating to repel dust, grease and moisture and the lens as a whole is dust and moisture-resistant. The diaphragm has 9 blades, intended to enhance the bokeh, the smoothness of the out-of-focus areas in an image.
The overall rather slick design of the lens is further enhanced by the inspired design of the tripod mount. Some designs need the lens to be removed from the camera to release the mount, but this Sony design enables it to be detached whilst the lens is still in position. There is a safety catch built into the release knob so this will not happen in error, and the whole process is a delightfully simple and effective piece of design. Generally, when using the lens handheld it may be more convenient to work without the tripod foot getting in the way.
Given the fantastic ergonomics of the lens, let’s see now whether the performance meets the same standards and clinches the deal.
Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 OSS II Performance
At 70mm, central sharpness is excellent at f/4 and f/5.6, very good from f/8 to f/16 and good at f/22. The edges are very good from f/4 through to f/11, good at f/16 and fair at f/22.
At 100mm, central sharpness is very good at f/4, excellent from f/5.6 to f/11, very good at f/16 and good at f/22. The edges are very good from f/4 right the way through to f/16 and still good at f/22.
At 135mm, central sharpness is very good from f/4 to f/11, good at f/16 and fair at f/22. The edges are very good from f/4 to f/8, good at f/11 and f/16 and fair at f/22.
At 200mm, central sharpness is very good from f/4 to f/11, good at f/16 and fair at f/22. The edges are also very good from f/4 to f/11, good at f/16 and fair at f/22.
A very satisfactory set of results that gives us crisp, sharp images.
Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS II MTF Charts
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How to read our MTF charts
The blue column represents readings from the centre of the picture frame at the various apertures and the green is from the edges.
For this review, the lens was tested on a Sony A7R III using Imatest. Want to know more about how we review lenses?.
CA (Chromatic Aberration) is very well controlled throughout the range and is unlikely to show up any colour fringing. If for some reason further correction is deemed necessary, the solution can be found in software.
Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS II Chromatic Aberration Charts
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How to read our CA charts
Chromatic aberration (CA) is the lens’ inability to focus on the sensor or film all colours of visible light at the same point. Severe chromatic aberration gives a noticeable fringing or a halo effect around sharp edges within the picture. It can be cured in software.
Apochromatic lenses have special lens elements (aspheric, extra-low dispersion etc) to minimize the problem, hence they usually cost more.
For this review, the lens was tested a Sony A7R III using Imatest.
Distortion is exceptionally well controlled, so much so that the lens is virtually rectilinear. Clearly, this is a cooperation between the lens design and assistance from the camera. The figures are so low as to be largely academic, but +0.04% pincushion distortion can be measured at 70mm, reducing to +0.01% at 100mm. Thereafter, barrel distortion takes over, measurable as -0.04% at 135mm and -0.03% at 200mm.
Bokeh is very smooth, creating a beautiful gradation in the out-of-focus areas, particularly attractive as a backdrop to portraits and flower studies.
Flare is well under control and even the most severe lighting conditions are handled with ease.
Vignetting is impressively low for a zoom lens and returns the figures shown in the table below.
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| Aperture | 70mm | 100mm | 135mm | 200mm |
| f/4 | -0.7 | -0.9 | -1.3 | -1 |
| f/5.6 | -0.6 | -0.9 | -1.3 | -0.7 |
| f/8 | -0.6 | -0.9 | -1.2 | -0.7 |
| f/11 | -0.6 | -0.9 | -1.2 | -0.7 |
| f/16 | -0.6 | -0.9 | -1.2 | -0.7 |
| f/22 | -0.6 | -0.9 | -1.2 | -0.6 |
Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS II Sample Photos
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Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS II Aperture range
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Value For Money
The [AMUK]Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 Macro G OSS II|Sony+lens[/AMUK] lens is priced at £1750.
Some alternatives might be:
- [AMUK]Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary|Sony+lens[/AMUK], £849
- [AMUK]Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II|Sony+lens[/AMUK], £2599
- [AMUK]Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD|Tamron+lens[/AMUK], £1149
The new lens may be a tad expensive, but this needs to be weighed up against its overall quality and it still represents good value.
Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 OSS II Verdict
Targeting Nature, Travel, Sports, Wildlife, Landscape, Portraiture and adding the bonus of Macro, this is a lens that will appeal to a wide range of photographers. Make no mistake about it, the macro focusing is not an add-on gimmick, but an integral and vitally useful bonus to an already fine lens and part of a continuous focusing range that goes all the way to infinity. The difference between this and the faster f/2.8 version is there, but only just and the cost level is considerably lower. This may not be a G Master optic, but it is a very fine one nonetheless and absolutely capable of producing top-class results.
Faster operation, lighter, more compact, lower cost..what’s not to like? Without a doubt ‘Highly Recommended’.
Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 OSS II Pros
- Sharp and crisp images
- Fast operation
- Virtually no distortion
- Well-controlled CA
- Virtually no tendency to flare
- True macro-focusing ability
- Beautiful bokeh
- Dust and moisture resistance
- Inbuilt OSS
- Convenient lens controls
- Very slick operational design
Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 OSS II Cons
- Slower maximum aperture at f/4 rather than f/2.8
[REVIEW_FOOTER]R_features=5|R_handling=5|R_performance=4.5|R_value=4|R_overall=4.5|A_level=4.5|A_text=Highly recommended – A slick design, excellent results and focusing down to true macro distances.|E_id=8001[/REVIEW_FOOTER]
Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS II Specifications
| Manufacturer | Sony | |
| General | ||
| Lens Mounts |
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| Lens | ||
| Focal Length | 70mm – 200mm | |
| Angle of View | 12° – 34° | |
| Max Aperture | f/4 | |
| Min Aperture | f/22 | |
| Filter Size | 72mm | |
| Stabilised | Yes | |
| 35mm equivalent | 105mm – 300mm | |
| Internal focusing | Yes | |
| Maximum magnification | 0.26x | |
| Focusing | ||
| Min Focus | 42cm | |
| Construction | ||
| Blades | 9 | |
| Elements | 19 | |
| Groups | 13 | |
| Box Contents | ||
| Box Contents | Lens hood (ALC-SH133: round shape, bayonet type), Lens front cap, Lens rear cap, Case | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Weight | 794g | |
| Height | 149mm | |
Source: Photography News
Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS II Lens Review
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