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Sony

FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS

Sony E Mount

FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS — 100–400mm f/4.5-5.6 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$2,499

Launch price

Released Jul 2017

vs

Sony

FE 85mm F1.4 GM II

Sony E Mount

FE 85mm F1.4 GM II — 85mm f/1.4 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$1,999

Launch price

Released Sep 2024

FE 85mm F1.4 GM II is 7.1 years newer.

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Wins

2categories

FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS

WildlifeVideo & Hybrid

Wins

5categories

FE 85mm F1.4 GM II

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS wins 1 categories·FE 85mm F1.4 GM II wins 4 categories
  • AFE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BFE 85mm F1.4 GM II has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.4 vs f/5.6)
  • BFE 85mm F1.4 GM II has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.4 vs f/4.5)
  • BFE 85mm F1.4 GM II has lower Weight (642 g vs 1395 g)
  • BFE 85mm F1.4 GM II has lower Length (140 mm vs 245 mm)

Key specs at a glance

FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSSFE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Focal Length100-400 mm85 mm
Max Aperturef/4.5-5.6f/1.4
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight1395 g642 g
Min Focus38 cm30 cm
Filter Size77 mm77 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseFE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSSFE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Portrait
5.5Fair
9.5Excellent
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
4.5Fair
Landscape
3.0Limited
4.0Fair
Travel
5.0Fair
3.5Limited
Wildlife
9.5Excellent
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
1.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS supports it

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × vs 0.15 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the FE 85mm F1.4 GM II

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.4 vs f/5.6 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.4 vs f/4.5 — lower is better

  • Weight

    642 g vs 1395 g — lower is better

  • Special elements

    Adds ED

  • Length

    140 mm vs 245 mm — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Diameter

Both 81 mm

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Custom function button

Both support custom function button

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use
  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance

FE 85mm F1.4 GM II

Pros

  • Bright f/1.4 aperture for low light and subject separation
  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS and FE 85mm F1.4 GM II at major authorized retailers.

Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS

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Full specifications

= category winner

FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
FE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Focal length (Min)
100 mm
85 mm
Focal length (Max)
400 mm
85 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/4.5
f/1.4+3.4 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/5.6
f/1.4+4 stops wider
Elements
23
14
Groups
17
11
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical, ED
FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
FE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Min focus distance
38 cm
30 cm−8 cm less
Max magnification
0.25 ×+67%
0.15 ×
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
FE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
FE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Weight
1395 g
642 g−753 g less
Length
245 mm
140 mm−105 mm less
Diameter
81 mm
81 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
FE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Lens mount
Sony E
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.