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Sony

FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS

Sony E Mount

World's lightest 300mm F2.8 — 1470g with XD Linear AF, OSS, and G Master resolution.

$6,999

Launch price

Released Jan 2024

vs

Sony

FE 40mm F2.5 G

Sony E Mount

FE 40mm F2.5 G — 40mm f/2.5 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$599

Launch price

Released Apr 2021

FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS is 2.8 years newer.

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Wins

2categories

FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS

Sports & ActionWildlife

Wins

6categories

FE 40mm F2.5 G

Sports & Action

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS wins 1 categories·FE 40mm F2.5 G wins 4 categories
  • AFE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BFE 40mm F2.5 G has lower Weight (173 g vs 1470 g)
  • BFE 40mm F2.5 G has lower Min focus distance (30 cm vs 200 cm)
  • BFE 40mm F2.5 G has lower Length (74 mm vs 265 mm)
  • BFE 40mm F2.5 G has lower Diameter (81 mm vs 124 mm)

Key specs at a glance

FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSSFE 40mm F2.5 G
Focal Length300 mm40 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.5
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight1470 g173 g
Min Focus200 cm30 cm
Filter Size40.5 mm77 mm

Size and weight, to scale

FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS

124 × 265 mm

1470 g (3.24 lb / 51.85 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

FE 40mm F2.5 G

81 × 74 mm

173 g (0.38 lb / 6.10 oz)

FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS is 191mm longer and 43mm wider than FE 40mm F2.5 G.

FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS is 1297 g heavier than FE 40mm F2.5 G.

Diameter (⌀) is the maximum barrel width; length is measured from the mount to the front of the lens.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseFE 300mm F2.8 GM OSSFE 40mm F2.5 G
Portrait
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
10.0Excellent
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
2.0Limited
Landscape
4.0Fair
1.0Limited
Travel
2.0Limited
5.0Fair
Wildlife
8.5Excellent
1.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
1.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 Super ED, 1 ED

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS supports it

  • Weather sealing

    Only FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS supports it

  • Control ring

    Only FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS supports it

  • Max magnification

    0.16 × vs 0.15 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the FE 40mm F2.5 G

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Weight

    173 g vs 1470 g — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 200 cm — lower is better

  • Length

    74 mm vs 265 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    81 mm vs 124 mm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.5 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.5 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use

FE 40mm F2.5 G

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day
  • Native Sony E mount compatibility

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS and FE 40mm F2.5 G at major authorized retailers.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
FE 40mm F2.5 G
Focal length (Min)
300 mm
40 mm
Focal length (Max)
300 mm
40 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.5+0.3 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.5+0.3 stops wider
Elements
21
14
Groups
17
11
Special elements
3 Super ED, 1 ED
Aspherical
FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
FE 40mm F2.5 G
Min focus distance
200 cm
30 cm−170 cm less
Max magnification
0.16 ×+7%
0.15 ×
Autofocus motor
2 XD Linear Motors
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
FE 40mm F2.5 G
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
FE 40mm F2.5 G
Weight
1470 g
173 g−1,297 g less
Length
265 mm
74 mm−191 mm less
Diameter
124 mm
81 mm−43 mm less
Filter thread size
40.5 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
No
Diaphragm blades
11
9
FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
FE 40mm F2.5 G
Lens mount
Sony E
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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