Now that camerasize.com has the Sony 400mm in their system we can see how similar in size it is to Canon’s 400mm, but the body size makes a pretty big difference in how you perceive the comparison. Sony also enjoys a weight and balance advantage too, because they arranged the lens so that the heavy glass would be located closer to the camera body. This is an important detail to consider when picking one of these great specialty lenses because the weight and size measurements don’t tell the whole story about how this lens will handle.
Sony 400mm f/2.8 FE
Weight: 6.4 lb / 2.90 kg
Dimensions: Approx. 6.25 x 14.25″ / 15.88 x 36.20 cm
Minimal Focus Distance: 8.86′ / 2.70 m
Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II
Weight: 8.47 lb / 3.85 kg
Dimensions: Approx. 6.42 x 13.50″ / 16.3 x 34.3 cm
Minimal: 8.86′ / 2.7 m
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR
Weight: 8.38 lb / 3.8 kg
Dimensions: Approx. 6.28 x 14.09″ / 15.95 x 35.8 cm
Minimal Focus Distance: 8.53′ / 2.6 m
Sony certainly put the traditional 400mm f2.8 lens on a diet and the weight savings is impressive. Canon and Nikon will likely answer with new lenses designed to meet or beat the specs of the new Sony 400mm, but for now, it seems Sony has one of the most desirable 400mm f/2.8 lenses around. Let’s hope they can satisfy demand since this kind of lens is generally produced in limited numbers.
