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Sony

FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS

Sony E Mount

FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS — 70–300mm f/4.5-5.6 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$1,199

Launch price

Released Apr 2016

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 8.3 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS

WildlifeVideo & Hybrid

Wins

5categories

FE 85mm F1.4 GM II

PortraitSports & Action

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS wins 2 categories·FE 85mm F1.4 GM II wins 3 categories
  • AFE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G 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)
  • AFE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS has higher Max magnification (0.25 × vs 0.15 ×)
  • BFE 85mm F1.4 GM II has lower Weight (642 g vs 854 g)

Key specs at a glance

FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSSFE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Focal Length70-300 mm85 mm
Max Aperturef/4.5-5.6f/1.4
MountSony ESony E
CoverageAPS-CFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight854 g642 g
Min Focus38 cm30 cm
Filter Size67 mm77 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseFE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G 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
8.5Excellent
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
1.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS supports it

  • Diameter

    70 mm vs 81 mm — lower is better

  • 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

  • Special elements

    Adds ED

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 85mm F1.4 GM II supports it

  • Weight

    642 g vs 854 g — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

  • Length

    140 mm vs 170 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS

Pros

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

Cons

  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance
  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

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 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS and FE 85mm F1.4 GM II at major authorized retailers.

Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS

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Full specifications

= category winner

FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS
FE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Focal length (Min)
70 mm
85 mm
Focal length (Max)
300 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 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G 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 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS
FE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS
FE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Weight
854 g
642 g−212 g less
Length
170 mm
140 mm−30 mm less
Diameter
70 mm−11 mm less
81 mm
Filter thread size
67 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS
FE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Lens mount
Sony E
Sony E
Format coverage
APS-C
Full Frame

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