Sony E-Mount FE 100 MM F2.8 MACRO GM OSS Full-Frame Lens (SEL100M28GM) I 1.4x magnification I Excellent Macro lens - Black

I recently had the opportunity to test the new Sony FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS, and after spending extensive time with it, I’m genuinely impressed. It’s a highly refined tool that delivers serious macro capability, superb handling, and excellent versatility.

1. Build Quality

The lens feels premium from the moment you pick it up. It has a solid, weather-sealed construction designed for demanding outdoor use. The barrel has a clean matte finish, the switches feel well-built, and internal focusing keeps the lens from extending—very helpful in close-up work. The fluorine-coated front element is also great for resisting smudges and dust.

Verdict: Rugged, refined, and worthy of the G Master name.

2. Controls, Buttons & Handling

This lens offers an excellent set of physical controls: a focus-clutch ring for quick AF/MF switching, full-time DMF, a focus-range limiter, and a declickable aperture ring with an iris lock. Dual focus-hold buttons are well-placed and very useful.
Optical Steady Shot is specially tuned for macro work, compensating not only for typical movements but also for small shifts and forward/back motion, making handheld macro far more realistic.

Verdict: Thoughtfully designed and exceptionally easy to operate.

3. Autofocus Performance

Driven by four XD linear motors, autofocus is fast, accurate, and quiet. It performs extremely well even at close distances, maintaining stability at high magnification. The only drawback is some noticeable focus breathing in extreme macro video.

Verdict: Fast, precise AF with excellent reliability.

4. Macro Quality

The lens offers a native 1.4× magnification, producing incredible detail and resolving power. It stays sharp across the frame, and stabilization greatly improves handheld results. Vignetting and chromatic aberration are minimal and well-controlled.

Verdict: Outstanding macro performance with exceptional clarity.

5. Portrait & General Photography

Although built for macro, the lens performs beautifully as a portrait lens. The 11-blade aperture produces smooth bokeh, sharpness is excellent even wide open, and colors are natural and clean. Distortion and chromatic aberration are minimal.

Verdict: Not just a macro lens—also a very capable portrait lens.

6. Handling & Ease of Use

At around 646 g, the lens is comfortable and well-balanced. OSS combined with IBIS makes handheld shooting much easier. All controls are intuitive, the focus ring has hard stops in MF, and the aperture ring is great for both stills and video.

Verdict: Easy to use, well balanced, and highly functional.

7. Value for Money

While priced at a premium, the lens fully justifies it. You get G Master build quality, superb optics, macro-specific stabilization, fast AF, and magnification beyond 1:1. Cheaper lenses exist, but few match this combination of features and performance.

Verdict: Excellent value for serious macro and portrait shooters.

8. Drawbacks

Some focus breathing in extreme macro video

Higher price than non-GM alternatives

For ultra-high-magnification work, a tripod or rail may still be beneficial

Overall Verdict

The Sony FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS is one of the most impressive macro lenses Sony has produced. It delivers professional-grade detail, beautiful bokeh, intuitive handling, and strong stabilization. Whether you’re into serious macro photography or want a dual-purpose macro-portrait lens, this is a superb, well-justified investment.