I've waited 10 long years for the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS, and it's the 5-star optic to delight Sony macro photographers

Date:
Thu, 15 Jan 2026 16:04:04 +0000

Description:
The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS is the update to its 10-year-old predecessor, and it's the lens Sony macro lovers have been dreaming of.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS: One-minute review

Sony launched its original FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS back in 2015, just two years after the company revealed its innovative A7 full-frame mirrorless camera to the world.

While the Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS has been a reliable macro lens for Sony macro photographers, its been the only first-party Sony option for over
a decade, so all eyes were on Sony when it announced its new Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS in September last year.

I was lucky enough to get my hands on a review sample, as well as a Sony A7R
V with its large 61MP full-frame sensor, so I was able to zoom into its huge images to assess the new FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro's sharpness and image quality. (Image credit: Dan Mold)

As a lover of macro photography who regularly shoots everything from
close-ups of interesting textures to insects and mushrooms to pocket watches, I was particularly keen to see how the new Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS performed.

At $1,498 / 1,399 / AU$2,599 it's among the most expensive consumer
full-frame macro lenses on the market, and 70% more expensive than its predecessor. So should owners of the now decade-old Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro
G OSS rush out to buy one?

Simply put, no. The older, more affordable version will suffice for the majority of casual shooters. However, for serious professionals shooting on Sony systems the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS will be well worth the high asking price, delivering as it does incredible image quality, rock-steady stabilization, 1.4x magnification and teleconverter compatibility.

Simply put, it's the best Sony lens for macro photography fans, though you'll have to be prepared to put a sizable dent in your wallet to get one. Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS: Price and availability Priced at $1,499 / 1,399 / AU$2,599 ALC-SH173 lens hood and soft case included Announced in September 2025

The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS retails for $1,499 / 1,399 / AU$2,599, and is the successor to the now decade-old Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS, which can be picked up now for around $1,050 / 819, though this price hasnt changed all that much since it was released back in 2015. The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS was always going to be a more expensive option with new tech, advanced features and more modern conveniences, and it works out 70% more expensive in the UK, or around 40% more expensive in the US.

Is it worth the extra money? For casual shooters probably not, but for
serious working pros I think the extra upgrades, better stabilization and stunning image quality make it good value for money. Its also a much stronger competitor to the Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM, which Canon users have been enjoying since April 2021, and a true competitor for which has been sorely missed in Sonys range up until now.

For those on tighter budgets there is of course the original Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS. There are also third-party options like the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 Macro DG DN Art and Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD while both of these lack optical image stabilization, they are considerably cheaper, and will be a better choice for those on stricter budgets looking to get into macro photography. Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS: Specs Sony FE 100mm
f/2.8 Macro GM OSS specs

Type:

Macro lens

Mount:

Sony FE

Sensor:

Full-frame

Focal length:

100mm

Max aperture:

f/2.8

Minimum focus:

0.26m

Filter size:

67mm

Dimensions:

81.4 x 147.9mm

Weight:

22.7oz / 646g Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS: Design Focus ring has a
clutch mechanism to switch between AF/MF and Full AF quickly Switches on lens barrel for focus distance limiter, OSS, iris ring lock and declicking Quite long for a 100mm macro lens, measuring 147.9mm Built to be compatible with Sony's 1.4x and 2x teleconverters

The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM is very similar in terms of size and weight to the older FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS, although it has the benefit of being
a little more zoomed in at 100mm, and offers a higher maximum magnification
of 1.4x over the older optics standard 1:1 life-size reproduction ratio, so macro lovers will be able to get even closer. Its about 7% heavier at 646g
and is 2.4mm wider in diameter, and its about 17mm longer. So far, its bigger and better in every way.

I have no issues with the lens being a little larger; it feels really nice
and secure in the hand, and the large focus ring, which is about 1.5 inches wide, is perfectly positioned for your thumb and forefinger to wrap around. Like the old model, the new macro lens uses a push/pull clutch, allowing you to push or pull the entire focus ring to quickly switch between AF/MF and
Full MF.

There's also an AF/MF switch on the side of the lens barrel, which shouldnt create quite as much motion. The manual-focus ring also has a focus distance scale on the lens barrel, which comes in handy when you want to specifically dial in a magnification such as 1:1 life-size, or go even closer. (Image credit: Dan Mold)

Other switches on the side of the lens include a full-time DMF toggle to enable the Direct Manual Focus to override the autofocus when needed, which I found to be very useful. Theres also a focus limiter switch which can be set to Full, 0.26-0.7m or 0.5m to infinity to speed up autofocus operation when you know youre working with subjects either very close or far away, as it prevents the camera from hunting outside the set range.

Theres also a dedicated switch for enabling OSS (Optical Steady Shot), Sony's optical image stabilization tech. Its rated for 4-4.5 stops on the FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro, which is an improvement over the 3-4 stops you got with the
older model. Even more stabilization can be achieved with Sony bodies that have sensor-based IBIS, though Sony doesnt give an exact figure of how much stabilization can be achieved. (Image credit: Dan Mold)

To add context, both of Sonys lenses are the only optically stabilized macro lenses for Sony FE mount as mentioned, the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 Macro DG DN Art and Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD dont have optical stabilization,
though they are considerably more affordable as a result.

Also on the outside of the lens barrel youll find an iris ring to control the aperture, which can be locked in the A position if you prefer to set this via the camera body. The aperture click can also be enabled or disabled via a switch helpful for videographers who prefer a smooth action when filming. Were also treated to two customizable focus-hold buttons on the side of the lens barrel. (Image credit: Dan Mold)

As one of Sonys top-flight G Master lenses, the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM is of course weather sealed, and to that end there's a rubber seal around the metal lens mount.

In the box youll also find its ALC-SH173 lens hood, and a soft case to keep
it protected when stored or in transit. (Image credit: Dan Mold)

A rather odd feature that Im glad to see included on the new Sony lens, and one I cant recall seeing on other recent macro lenses, is the ability to use the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM with Sonys SEL14TC and SEL20TC
teleconverters to extend its macro capabilities even further.

While I dont think this is essential, I do think some wildlife and nature photographers who already own these extenders for long telephoto lenses will benefit greatly and get extra use out of them. However, more casual shooters will probably still find better value in a set of extension tubes that
usually cost around $100 compared to the SEL14TC and SEL20TC which both cost $598 / 479 / AU$799 and also allow you to get closer to your subject.

That said, as somebody who owns a 180mm f/2.8 macro lens, I can see the merit of using a 2x teleconverter as a cheaper and more convenient alternative to owning a telephoto macro lens as well as a 100mm one. Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS: Performance Excellent image quality but autofocus not the fastest OSS makes it easier to shoot handheld close-up photos 1.4x magnification and teleconverter support make it easier to get closer

As one of Sonys top-flight G Master lenses youd expect the Sony FE 100mm
f/2.8 Macro GM to deliver a solid performance, and Im delighted to say that this is very much the case.

Considering that the lens has not one, but four of Sonys XD Extreme Dynamic linear motors the autofocus wasnt the snappiest Ive ever seen from a mirrorless lens. Instead it took a little moment to smoothly transition the focus, although this will perhaps be preferred by videographers.

That said, Sony claims the autofocus is 1.9x faster than its predecessor so it's still a decent improvement, and the autofocus was accurate once it acquired the subject. I also found it invaluable to have the ability to pull the focus clutch ring to engage full-time manual focus at any time. Image 1
of 7 (Image credit: Dan Mold) Image 2 of 7 (Image credit: Dan Mold) Image 3
of 7 (Image credit: Dan Mold) Image 4 of 7 (Image credit: Dan Mold) Image 5
of 7 (Image credit: Dan Mold) Image 6 of 7 (Image credit: Dan Mold) Image 7
of 7 (Image credit: Dan Mold)

Image quality is excellent, with the lens employing both flourine and Nano AR II coatings on the front element to make it oil and water-repellent, and to counter flare when shooting towards a light source. The lens features 17 elements arranged in 13 groups, two of which are XA (extreme aspherical) elements and two of which are ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements. Image 1 of
3 (Image credit: Dan Mold) Image 2 of 3 (Image credit: Dan Mold) Image 3 of 3 (Image credit: Dan Mold)

Of course, depth of field is limited when shooting close-up at f/2.8; however in-focus areas of images look very sharp, even when shooting wide open. Flare was controlled well, contrast was punchy, and images were free from chromatic aberration. The sharpness of the lens was able to meet the resolution of the 61MP Sony A7R IV I tested it with, producing beautifully clean images with virtually no distortion or vignetting.

In my tests shooting handheld I was able to take sharp shots at around 4-4.5 stops slower than would normally be required, though this was paired with a Sony A7R IV, which has sensor-based IBIS that also helps. This meant that where a shutter speed of 1/100 sec was required to take a sharp shot I was able to lower my ISO or close the aperture until my shutter speed was 1/5 sec and still get a usably sharp image when shooting handheld impressive! Image
1 of 4 This test shot of some snowdrops was taken with the Sony FE 100mm
f/2.8 Macro GM OSS without the teleconverter attached (Image credit: Dan
Mold) Image 2 of 4 Shooting at the same distance from the snowdrops I
attached the Sony 2x teleconverter which allowed me to get close-up macro results from a greater working distance, effectively turning the lens into a 200mm f/5.6 (Image credit: Dan Mold) Image 3 of 4 A close-up shot a snowdrop taken with the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS lens (Image credit: Dan Mold) Image 4 of 4 A close-up shot a snowdrop taken with the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS lens and Sony 2x Teleconverter (Image credit: Dan Mold) Should you buy the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS? Buy it if...

You want to upgrade from the Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS

The new Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS has plentiful upgrades that make it the ultimate macro lens for Sony shooters.

You're a working professional

As one of Sony's top-flight G Master lenses, the 100mm optic is expensive but can deliver for working pros shooting close-ups of still life setups, nature and product photography.

You need teleconverter compatibility

The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS has been designed to work with Sony's 1.4x and 2x teleconverters, effectively turning the lens into a 140mm f/3.5
or 200mm f/5.6 respectively. Don't buy it if...

You're on a budget

This is one of the most expensive macro lenses on the market, so Sony's older FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS or third-party options will be a better choice for those on stricter budgets.

You don't need the extra magnification

Sony's new macro lens can go to 1.4x magnification, but the old Sony FE 90mm macro can go to 1x magnification, which is still perfectly suitable for close life-size macro shots.

You need a portrait lens

If you're looking for a short telephoto lens for portraiture the Sony FE
100mm will do a decent job, but it's not your best bet. A lens such as an
85mm f/1.4, or 135mm f/1.8 will give you the faster apertures needed for artfully blurred backgrounds. View Deal How I tested the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS I used the lens for a month, capturing close-up shots of nature as well as controlled still-life setups at home I paired it with the 61MP
Sony a7R IV full-frame body, zooming in on images to assess resolution and clarity I took shots throughout the aperture range, focusing up close and further away, and used the lens with Sony's 2x teleconverter

I used the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS with a Sony A7R IV for a month to give the lens a thorough testing over an extended period. Sony also kindly loaned me its SEL20TC 2x teleconverter, and I also took test shots with this sandwiched between the lens and camera body to see what difference it made.

The lens became my go-to for taking close-up shots over this time, and in particular when we had a cold snap in the UK, where I'm based I loved
heading out with it to capture stunning details of frost patterns and ice.

I took a range of pictures with in-camera lens corrections both enabled and disabled to see the difference. I also shot in raw and JPEG formats, and shot at all of the various apertures to gauge how things like corner sharpness and vignetting changed throughout the range. First reviewed January 2026



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