Sony FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II

Joshua Waller finds out how Sony's new close-focusing premium telephoto zoom lens performs

- Joshua Waller

Sony has updated the FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS – one of its first full-frame E-mount lenses. It’s now nine years since the original was released, and the new Sony FE 70-200mm F4 Macro OSS II is designed to deliver higher image quality, closer focusing, better autofocus performance and improved image stabilisation, as well as a smaller and lighter design. But naturally, this comes at a price, with the updated optic costing £1,749, compared to its predecessor’s current street price of £1,049.

As the word ‘macro’ in its name suggests, the new lens offers an impressive 0.5x maximum magnification over the entire zoom range. If you wanted extra reach, then you’ll find it supports the SEL14TC 1.4x teleconverter (£479) and the SEL20TC 2.0x teleconverter (£499). When used with the latter, it becomes a 140-400mm f/8 lens that provides life-size macro performance.

If used on an APS-C camera, such as the new Sony Alpha A6700, you’ll find you get a 105-300mm equivalent lens!

Looking at alternatives available from other brands, Canon offers an RF 70-200mm F4 L IS USM lens for £1,769. It’s rather smaller and lighter, but it doesn’t focus as closely and it’s incompatible with teleconverters. Meanwhile, Panasonic’s Lumix S Pro 70-200mm F4 OIS costs £1,749, but it’s significantly larger and heavier.