My First Look at The New Sony 70-200 f/4

This is the first 70-200 f/4 lens Sony has released in nine years. Is the product worth the wait? 

It seems Sony is on a roll with their releases. And now, they have announced a new camera and a new lens on the same day. While a new camera is pretty exciting, this new lens offering definitely should not be placed in the back seat. 

From a technical standpoint, this Sony 70-200 f/4 lens has 13 groups and 19 elements. There are numerous lens elements designed to suppress and minimize aberrations, as well as a floating focus that helps provide high resolution at all distances. The lean also has four XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors that give this lens 20% faster focus than the previous model as well as 2x better tracking performance. 

When it comes to comparing this lens to the previous model, this updated lens gives you the ability to focus and track focus while zooming, while the older lens does not. This lens is also compatible with taking images, blackout-free, at 30 fps on the Sony a1. The older model only supports up to 15 fps.  

What might be the best feature of this lens though is the macro capability. Not only does this 70-200mm f/4 give you 0.5x magnification, but it does so through the entire focal range. This gives you much broader creative freedom by giving you macro capability with a varying field of view. Pair this lens with the Sony 2x teleconverter, and you can enjoy 1:1 macro with the full focal range as well. 

Looking at the lens itself, it features a number of switches that give you quick access to things like optical image stabilization (three modes), AF/MF, focus range limiter, as well as three programmable focus hold buttons. On the lens itself, you'll also find a tripod mount, as well as a focus ring and zoom ring. 

It is worth noting that although the lens has internal focus, the length of the lens does change as you zoom through the focal range. But even with this variable length, the lens still remains dust and moisture-resistant. So, while the lens is not 100% dust- and moisture-proof, all the seams are sealed, the switches and buttons have a silicone gasket, and there is a rubber ring that protects the lens mount.

The last element of this lens worth talking about is the movie performance. The previously discussed feature of being able to focus and track focus while zooming is still available while recording. The lens is also designed to minimize focus shift while zooming so that you can lock focus and then still zoom while not changing the focus. There is also a design element that helps minimize focus breathing. 

What I liked 

• Lightweight and compact
• 0.5x magnification throughout the focal range
• Very fast and quiet autofocus

What I Didn't Like

• Variable lens length while zooming

While this is not the highest-end 70-200mm on offer from Sony, it is a very well-designed and feature-rich option. The Sony 70-200mm f/4 can be limiting if you do a lot of low-light photography or video work, but the ability to have the 0.5x macro option gives merit to having this lens packed alongside even the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM. For me, as a wedding photographer, I found this lens perfect for all possible detail images, and I would prefer this lens over even a dedicated macro lens for what I need.