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Lenses

Sony 400-800mm f6.3-8 G Review: Handheld to 1/50th

Chris Gampat
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Last updated on 02/27/2025
02/26/2025
9 Mins read
Chris Gampat The Phoblographer Sony 400-800mm f6.3-8 G lens review product images 2.51-400s400APO-SUMMICRON-SL 1-2-28 ASPH.
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Last Updated on 02/27/2025 by Lara Carretero

The Sony 400-800mm f6.3-f8 G is something that I would’ve expected OM System to release. However, this time it’s not them — it’s a full-frame Sony lens. Very much designed for the passionate birding and wildlife photographer, there’s a lot of wonderful things to love about this internal zooming lens. First off, there’s a very short focus throw – and that makes the actual usability of it so much better. And perhaps most amazing, we handheld it to below 1/80th of a second. There’s a lot that photographers are going to love about this lens — so let’s dive into our review.

The Big Picture: Sony 400-800mm f6.3-8 G Review Conclusions

By all means, the Sony 400-800mm f6.3-8 G is a pretty incredible lens. It’s a first of a kind — which probably means that Canon and Nikon are going to try to copy it and make something similar within a few years. And to me, that’s quite shocking as Canon is typically the one ahead of all the rest in lenses. Make no mistake, we think that this lens is really mostly for passionate wildlife and birding photographers. The slower aperture might not make it ideal for sports. As it is, that slower aperture doesn’t make it ideal for photographing wildlife when they’re against dark backgrounds, either. That’s because the image stabilization isn’t quite there. Couple that with the fact that Sony’s stabilization isn’t beating Panasonic’s and you’ll understand how this makes sense.

Considering this, though, that statement is very, very situational. We were able to handhold this lens and camera to get a clean shot at 1/80th f8 and ISO 100 at 800mm. That’s insane.

However, that’s counteracted by the super short focus throw. For the first time ever, perhaps in American history, smaller is better. I promise you, you could call up the leaders of several countries, and they’ll say it’s the greatest in the world. It’s the best. This isn’t fake news. Sorry losers and haters, but the IQ (image quality) is one of the highest and you all know it.

But seriously, this shouldn’t be slept on at all because it’s a majorly important part of birding. Somehow or another, Sony’s engineers figured out that we all don’t want to flick our wrists around like we’re cradling a lacrosse stick while running at full speed. And that lack of wrist flicking means that you’re getting better image stabilization due to the shorter focus throw.

I thoroughly enjoyed using the Sony 400-800mm f6.3-8 G — especially since it’s the first lens that I’ve used since returning to the world of normal eyesight. And I’m positive that lots of photographers will love it too.

Surprisingly, it’s also not as sharp as I’d expect it to be. And I know that I’m not the only one who thinks so; I talked this over with another journalist and we found the same thing. If anyone is saying that it’s sharp, please consider the following quote: “Dead presidents write the best recommendation letters.” – Usman Hameedi, the book Staying Right here.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

We’re giving the Sony 400-800mm f6.3-8 G four out of five stars. Want one? Check it out on Amazon.

Pros

  • Short focus throw is everything I’ve wanted
  • Image stabilization is wonderful
  • Lightweight enough for me to carry around for a while
  • Lots of controls
  • Very short focus throw makes image stabilization efforts even more effective.
  • We handheld it down to 1/80th and got a clean photo at 800mm.

Cons

  • Really most useful with the newest cameras that have features like pre-burst shooting. If you’re stuck with an A7r V, you’re out of luck.
  • Not as sharp as I’d expect from a Sony lens. I’m shocked

Gear Used

We tested the Sony 400-800mm with the Sony a7r V. The gear was on loan to the Phoblographer by Lensrentals via Sony.

Innovations

So what’s innovative about this lens? The fact that it’s the first of its kind, really. More specifically, it’s pretty much exclusively designed for birding. I don’t think I’d ever need or want an 800mm f8 lens for sports photography.

If anything, one of the cooler things is the short focus throw. And you’re also bound to get sharper images, but this lens is truly designed for capturing scenes moreso than creating them.

Will This Make You a Better Photographer?

With lots of innovation in the photography world over the years, you’d think that photography would get infinitely better, right? Well, the truth is that it hasn’t. And in this case, all that this lens really does is give you extra reach. In reality, it’s not going to make you a better photographer and this product isn’t going to change photography.

Hardware

The Sony 400-800mm lens
The Sony 400-800mm lens

I know photographers who’d probably complain about using a lens like this for a long time. But I shot with it from 9am to 1:30pm and went around in a car with it. Make no mistake, there are very few bags that can hold this lens – and the best are made by Gura Gear. I’d still really only bring this lens with me if I had a car. I wouldn’t want to take public transit with it even though it’s very lightweight.

Granted, it’s weather-resistant, and it’s supposed to be able to handle all the weather you can throw at it. But we didn’t quite have the opportunity to test that.

A Sony camera with a large, white telephoto lens resting on patterned cushions.
A Sony camera with a large telephoto lens on a table, surrounded by various items and a strap with the Sony logo.
The Sony 400-800mm lens
The Sony 400-800mm lens
Large white camera lens mounted on a dark camera body sits on a windowsill, with raindrops visible on the lens.
A camera with a large lens sits on a windowsill next to a potted cactus, with a rainy scene outside.
Large camera lens on a windowsill beside a stack of evaporated milk cans and a small potted cactus.
A Sony camera with a large telephoto lens, covered in water droplets, resting on a windowsill.
A large telephoto camera lens attached to a camera rests on patterned cushions.
Sony

Instead, what I’ll comment on is the short focus throw. This is everything that I’ve wanted with a birding lens. While I adore Tamron glass, the throw is so long on many of their lenses. But with this one, the zoom is internal and the throw is short. It makes getting shots even easier.

Protect Your Camera Gear

The Sony 400-800mm lens in the rain
The Sony 400-800mm lens in the rain

For years, here at The Phoblographer we’ve done tests on cameras, lenses, bags, computers, lights, and more. And we know that your warranty doesn’t always cover the damage. Plus, accidents can happen on set.

This is why we’ve created a Photography Care Program in partnership with Full-Frame Insurance. Now, photographers across the United States looking for extra security can get various protections to cover their craft. The Photography Care Program provides peace of mind; now you’ll know you can bounce back from a photoshoot gone awry, on-site or inside. We’re making it super easy to get it done, too! Better yet, there is coverage outside of the US and Canada when the photographer is traveling for short periods of time for business.

We’re able to do this through our partnership with Full-Frame Insurance, a company specializing in Small Business Insurance. Are you a Freelance Photographer? We’ll cover you. What about a freelance multi-media journalist? We’ve got you. The Photography Care Program will protect you.

Transform your focus from worry to creativity with the Photography Care Program. Whether it’s a light stand tumbling down, a telephoto lens shattering, or an unforeseen mishap, you don’t have to face the financial burden alone. Experience the freedom to capture stunning shots, knowing you’re protected. Whether you’re an amateur or a professional, secure your peace of mind – and protect your photography gear – with our affordable Photography Care Program today.

Ease of Use

When using this lens, the big thing that I did was zooming, and using the focus limiter. I’d often get the shot once those things were engaged. In fact, this is perhaps the easiest birding has ever been considering that I’m now using contact lenses that let me see 20/18 – that’s better than 20/20.

A bird photographed with the Sony 400-800mm at 1/50th f8 and ISO 100
A bird photographed with the Sony 400-800mm at 1/50th f8 and ISO 100
A bird photographed with the Sony 400-800mm at 1/60th f8 and ISO 160
A bird photographed with the Sony 400-800mm at 1/60th f8 and ISO 160
A bird photographed with the Sony 400-800mm at 1/80th f8 and ISO 160
A bird photographed with the Sony 400-800mm at 1/80th f8 and ISO 160
A bird photographed with the Sony 400-800mm at 1/100th f8 and ISO 160
A bird photographed with the Sony 400-800mm at 1/100th f8 and ISO 160
A bird photographed with the Sony 400-800mm at 1/320th f6.4 and ISO 640
A bird photographed with the Sony 400-800mm at 1/320th f6.4 and ISO 640

In the gallery above, you can see that we were able to handhold the camera and lens to get a clean shot at even 1/50th. That’s insane. And at the fullest reach, we were able to do it at 1/80th or so. That’s pretty insane to think about. Also consider the fact that the Phoblographer’s review staff needs to pass camera hand-holding tests in order to qualify as testers. If I really tried, I probably could’ve shot at an even slower shutter speed and still gotten a sharp photo.

Focusing

The autofocus performance of this lens with the Sony a7r V is pretty great. There were indeed a few misses; but if you’re just shooting photos of wildlife with it, I don’t think that you’re going to be complaining all that much. This lens doesn’t quite do that thing where it will search through the entire focusing range to get the shot. At least, it’s really quick about it if it is. There’s also the focus limiter, which really helped me out quite a bit when it came to getting the shot. It just means that you have to be very conscious about what you’re doing.

Image Quality

The bokeh is nice for sure; but what I’m surprised by is the fact that I expected this lens to be sharper. It isn’t, and that’s fine I guess. Afterall, it isn’t a G Master lens and I’d prefer that Sony separates the quality out and keeps G Master glass as something truly special. This is very much unlike Sigma that dilutes the quality of their highest end lenses.

Truly though, this lens doesn’t really do anything that makes me think that it was shot on Sony. Instead, I often just look at the photos and say, “Oh that’s nice.” And I wish that Sony made something that could change what photographers do. But they haven’t really done that with lenses as much as they have with cameras.

Extra Image Samples

The Phoblographer has been huge on transparency with our audience since day one. Nothing from this review is sponsored. Further, many folks will post reviews and show lots of editing in the photos. The problem then becomes that anyone and everyone can do the same thing. They’re not showing what the lens can do. So, we have a section in our Extra Image Samples area to show edited and unedited photos. From this, you can decide for yourself.

Unedited

A Canada goose pecking at the ground on a grassy area near a tree.
A snow-dusted woodland path winds through leafless trees and green shrubs on a sunny day.
Three geese flying in a clear blue sky above bare tree branches.
Four geese flying in formation against a clear blue sky.
Canada goose flying in a clear blue sky with wings fully spread.
A person is kiteboarding over a body of water with a city skyline and open field in the background.
Close-up of green pine needles on a branch, with a clear blue sky in the background.
Three birds flying in formation against a light gray sky.
A seagull flying against a clear blue sky.
Two geese flying in a clear blue sky with soft clouds in the background.
Flock of Canada geese flying in formation against a clear sky.
A bird in flight carrying food in its beak against a clear blue sky.
Seagull flying in a clear blue sky with prey in its beak.
A small gray bird perched on a branch among dense twigs and branches.
Bird perched on a weathered wooden post with leafless branches and blue sky in the background.
Geese walking on a sandy shore near a body of water, with one goose standing on icy water in the background.

Edited

A red cardinal sits on a gravel path, with two blurred birds in the background. Dry grass is visible on the right.
Small bird perched on a bare tree branch against a pale sky.
Small bird perched on a bare tree branch against a pale sky background.
A small bird camouflaged among dry twigs and foliage on the ground.
A small bird perched on a bare twig against a blurred, earthy background.
Seagull soaring in a clear blue sky with wings wide open.
Hawk perched on a utility pole with electrical insulators against a clear blue sky.
A squirrel walks across power lines with tree shadows on a wall in the background.
A squirrel walks on power lines with tree branch shadows on the wall in the background.
A squirrel balancing on power lines with a tree shadow on a building wall.
A seagull hovers over a body of water with a bridge in the distant background.
Seagull dropping a shell mid-flight with a distant bridge and water below.
Three white birds with black wingtips flying in a clear blue sky.
Three white birds with black-tipped wings fly against a clear blue sky.
Three birds with black-tipped wings flying in formation against a clear blue sky.
Sparrow perched on black cables against a clear blue sky.
Two birds perched on bare branches with a clear blue sky in the background.
Two birds perched on bare tree branches against a clear blue sky.
Hawk perched on a rusty metal beam against a clear blue sky, near power lines and insulators.
Three birds perched on a tall, bare branch against a clear blue sky.
Starling perched on bare tree branches against a blue sky background.
Black squirrel on power lines with building background under a blue sky.
Two birds perched on a thin branch against a clear blue sky backdrop.
Bird perched on bare tree branches against a blue sky background.
A bird perched on bare tree branches against a pale blue sky.
A blue jay perches on leafless branches set against a clear blue sky.
Starling perched on a brick chimney against a clear blue sky.
Bird standing in a field of dry grass.
Blue jay perched on bare branches against a clear blue sky.
Seagull standing in shallow water near patches of grass, with blue rippling waves in the background.
Osprey soaring in the sky against a backdrop of bare trees.
A white bird in flight above a field with blurred trees in the background.
Small bird perched on bare tree branches against a blue sky background.
Hawk perched on a metal beam next to power lines against a clear blue sky.
Two birds standing on a gravel path with patches of snow in bright sunlight.
Two birds standing on a gravel path surrounded by patches of snow.

Tech Specs

  • 2475 grams
  • 105mm filter thread
  • 27 elements in 19 groups
  • 6 ED elements
  • 11 aperture blades
  • Internal zoom
  • 2 linear motors
  • Focus limiter
  • Dust and moisture resistant

Declaration of Journalistic Intent

The Phoblographer is one of the last standing dedicated photography publications that speaks to both art and tech in our articles. We put declarations up front in our reviews to adhere to journalistic standards that several publications abide by. These help you understand a lot more about what we do:

  • At the time of publishing this review, Sony (nor the 3rd party companies that they do advertising through, such as Blue Pixel and Pixel Shift) are running direct-sold advertising with the Phoblographer. This doesn’t affect our reviews anyway and it never has in our 15 years of publishing our articles. This article is in no way sponsored.
  • Note that this isn’t necessarily our final review of the unit. It will be updated, and it’s more of an in-progress review than anything. In fact, almost all our reviews are like this.
  • None of the reviews on the Phoblographer are sponsored. That’s against FTC laws and we adhere to them just the same way that newspapers, magazines, and corporate publications do.
  • Sony sent the unit and accessories to the Phoblographer for review. There was no money exchange between Sony or their 3rd party partners and the Phoblographer for this to happen. Sony and several other manufacturers trust the Phoblographer’s reviews, as they are incredibly blunt.
  • Sony knows that they cannot influence the site’s reviews. If we don’t like something or if we have issues with it, we’ll let folks know.
  • Sony shipped the unit to the Phoblographer and we shipped it back with their return label. This is a standard practice in the world of journalism.
  • The Phoblographer’s standards for reviewing products have become much stricter. After having the world’s largest database of real-world lens reviews, we choose not to review anything we don’t find innovative or unique, and in many cases, products that lack weather resistance. We’ve also steered away from Micro Four Thirds and APS-C as they’re dying formats. This is a conclusion that even the other members of TIPA agree on. Unless something is very unique, we probably won’t touch it.
  • In recent years, brands have withheld NDA information from us or stopped working with us because they feel they cannot control our coverage. These days, many brands will not give products to the press unless they get favorable coverage. In other situations, we’ve stopped working with several brands for ethical issues. Either way, we report as honestly and rawly as humanity allows.
  • At the time of publishing, the Phoblographer is the only photography publication that is a member of Adobe’s Content Authenticity Initiative. We champion human-made art and are frank with our audience. We are also the only photography publication that labels when an image is edited or not.

More can be found on our Disclaimers page.

Chris Gampat The Phoblographer Sony 400-800mm f6.3-8 G lens review product images 2.51-400s400APO-SUMMICRON-SL 1-2-28 ASPH.
Sony 400-800mm f6.3-8 G Review: Handheld to 1/50th
By all means, the Sony 400-800mm f6.3-8 G is a pretty incredible lens. It's a first of a kind -- which probably means that Canon and Nikon are going to try to copy it and make something similar within a few years. And to me, that's quite shocking as Canon is typically the one ahead of all the rest in lenses. Make no mistake, we think that this lens is really mostly for passionate wildlife and birding photographers. The slower aperture might not make it ideal for sports. As it is, that slower aperture doesn't make it ideal for photographing wildlife when they're against dark backgrounds, either. That's because the image stabilization isn't quite there. Couple that with the fact that Sony's stabilization isn't beating Panasonic's and you'll understand how this makes sense. Considering this, though, that statement is very, very situational. We were able to handhold this lens and camera to get a clean shot at 1/80th f8 and ISO 100 at 800mm. That's insane. However, that's counteracted by the super short focus throw. For the first time ever, perhaps in American history, smaller is better. I promise you, you could call up the leaders of several countries, and they'll say it's the greatest in the world. It's the best. This isn't fake news. Sorry losers and haters, but the IQ (image quality) is one of the highest and you all know it. But seriously, this shouldn't be slept on at all because it's a majorly important part of birding. Somehow or another, Sony's engineers figured out that we all don't want to flick our wrists around like we're cradling a lacrosse stick while running at full speed. And that lack of wrist flicking means that you're getting better image stabilization due to the shorter focus throw. I thoroughly enjoyed using the Sony 400-800mm f6.3-8 G -- especially since it's the first lens that I've used since returning to the world of normal eyesight. And I'm positive that lots of photographers will love it too. Surprisingly, it's also not as sharp as I'd expect it to be. And I know that I'm not the only one who thinks so; I talked this over with another journalist and we found the same thing. If anyone is saying that it's sharp, please consider the following quote: “Dead presidents write the best recommendation letters.” - Usman Hameedi, the book Staying Right here.
4
800mm autofocus birding Bokeh focus throw image quality sony sony 400-800mm Sony a7r V
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Chris Gampat is the Editor in Chief, Founder, and Publisher of the Phoblographer. He provides oversight to all of the daily tasks, including editorial, administrative, and advertising work. Chris's editorial work includes not only editing and scheduling articles but also writing them himself. He's the author of various product guides, educational pieces, product reviews, and interviews with photographers. He's fascinated by how photographers create, considering the fact that he's legally blind./ HIGHLIGHTS: Chris used to work in Men's lifestyle and tech. He's a veteran technology writer, editor, and reviewer with more than 15 years experience. He's also a Photographer that has had his share of bylines and viral projects like "Secret Order of the Slice." PAST BYLINES: Gear Patrol, PC Mag, Geek.com, Digital Photo Pro, Resource Magazine, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Finance, IGN, PDN, and others. EXPERIENCE: Chris Gampat began working in tech and art journalism both in 2008. He started at PCMag, Magnum Photos, and Geek.com. He founded the Phoblographer in 2009 after working at places like PDN and Photography Bay. He left his day job as the Social Media Content Developer at B&H Photo in the early 2010s. Since then, he's evolved as a publisher using AI ethically, coming up with ethical ways to bring in affiliate income, and preaching the word of diversity in the photo industry. His background and work has spread to non-profits like American Photographic Arts where he's done work to get photographers various benefits. His skills are in SEO, app development, content planning, ethics management, photography, Wordpress, and other things. EDUCATION: Chris graduated Magna Cum Laude from Adelphi University with a degree in Communications in Journalism in 2009. Since then, he's learned and adapted to various things in the fields of social media, SEO, app development, e-commerce development, HTML, etc. FAVORITE SUBJECT TO PHOTOGRAPH: Chris enjoys creating conceptual work that makes people stare at his photos. But he doesn't get to do much of this because of the high demand of photography content. / BEST PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: Don't do it in post-production when you can do it in-camera.
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