Quick answer
A 500mm f/4 super-telephoto for A-mount with SSM autofocus. It weighs about 3,460 g, with a minimum focus distance of 4.0 m.
Pros
- f/4 aperture at 500mm
- SSM autofocus
- Full-frame coverage
- Quiet focusing
Cons
- Very heavy at about 3,460 g
- Minimum focus distance of 4.0 m
- Large and awkward to transport
Verdict
A big professional lens for A-mount. It is for dedicated wildlife and sports work.
About this lens
Sony 500mm F4 G SSM: a telephoto prime lens with a 500mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/4, made for Sony A mount cameras, from the Sony G series. It brings distant subjects closer for sports, wildlife and events.
Sony 500mm F4 G SSM specifications
- Brand
- Sony
- Mount
- Sony A
- Focal length
- 500mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/4.0
- Lens type
- Prime
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 2012
- Optical construction
- 11 elements in 10 groups
- Aperture blades
- 9
- Autofocus motor
- SSM
- Minimum focus distance
- 4 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.14x
- Weight
- 3460 g
- Length
- 367.5 mm
Specification source: dyxum.com
What can you shoot with the Sony 500mm F4 G SSM?
- Birds in flight
- Wildlife at distance
- Motorsport
Its moderate maximum aperture works best in good light or with a higher ISO.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 500mm | 4.1° | 5° |
| APS-C | 1.5x | 750mm | 2.7° | 3.3° |
Frequently asked questions
How heavy is the Sony 500mm F4 G SSM?
About 3,460 g, so a monopod, tripod or gimbal head is recommended for longer sessions.
Does the Sony 500mm F4 G SSM have stabilization?
No. Stabilization on A-mount comes from the camera body, so keep shutter speeds high or use support.
How close can the 500mm F4 G SSM focus?
Minimum focus is 4.0 m, with a maximum magnification of about 0.135x. At this focal length that keeps you well back from the subject.
Alternatives for Sony A from other brands
All Sony A lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
