Sony 500mm f/4 G SSM review: The longest super telephoto prime lens ever tested by DxOMark
By Kevin Carter - Thursday, March 21, 2013 Lens Review| Introduction | Measurements | Comparison | Conclusion |
Sony is often quoted as having aspirations to rival Nikon and Canon but, since taking over the SLR business of Konica Minolta, has so far shown only a handful of pro-grade lenses. The SAL500F40G is one such lens, more popularly known as the 500mm f/4.0DG SSM, and with a price tag of $13,000 it’s aimed squarely at professionals and well-heeled enthusiasts. We’ve had the opportunity to assess the new lens at our lab in Seattle, please read on to see how the new Sony performs and if it has what it takes to compete with the current Canon and Nikon duopoly.
Sony announced the SAL500F40G at Japan’s premier imaging show CP+, staged in Yokohama in early 2012, though a prototype was premièred at CES in Las Vegas in 2011, alongside mock-ups of the to-be-released SLT-A77 and A33 models.
Made to order, the $13,000 500mm f/4.0 model is the longest focal length lens from Sony bearing the G-series moniker, once an indicator of premium quality lens designs from Minolta that Sony acquired back in 2006.
The optical construction is a modern design with no less than three ED glass elements plus internal focusing (for quick focusing and minimal disruption to the centre-of-gravity). It also features an ultra-sonic type SSM that’s also compatible with the on-chip phase-detection AF mode of the top-flight SLT-A99 and Nano AR coating (a sub-wavelength type coating optimized for digital capture, reducing ghosting and flare).
To help lessen weight to relatively reasonable levels (it weighs in at 7 lbs 10 oz, or 3460g) the lens features a magnesium alloy body and it’s both dust and moisture sealed.
Sharp-eyed readers may note that the lens doesn’t feature image stabilization, but that’s due to Sony SLT cameras adopting a stabilized sensor. On APS-C SLT type camera the lens is the equivalent to a 750mm f/4 (on a 35mm full-frame,), however, if combined with one of the Sony NEX models using the $400 LA-EA2 adaptor the combination doesn’t benefit from being stabilized.
Thanks to our new Seattle Lab, we’re now able to evaluate super-telephoto lenses and the SAL50040G is the first of those, with the results of more to be delivered over the coming months.
Measurement
Comparisons
Conclusion
Comments
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Added by PeterL8 |
March 23
Sony 500mm f4 test review
<div id="linkdxomark">This a comment for <a href="http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Lenses/Camera-Lens-Database/Sony/Sony-500mm-F4-G-SSM">this page on the website</a></div>I own the Sony 500 and the Minolta 600mm lens. I was disappointed about he sharpness and focusing. I called Sony and they advised me to use the micro adjustment .
I tried to calibrate the lens in my 45feet living room .It was sharp focus only indoor but it was still not focus well outdoor so I re-calibrated to focus at my backyard tree which is about 150feet from the house. Now it is so sharp and as sharp as my Minolta 600mm or better.Hope to hear from you. Reply |
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Added by photo_fan |
March 22
Comparisons
Why do you compare this 500mm lens to the Canon's 300mm ?
This a comparison of apples and oranges, if you don't have nothing to compare with (I mean others 500mm), please do not compare. And you should have used the A99 for this test, not the discontinued A900. Reply | Read all replies for this comment |
First replies for this comment
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Added by Emilie_DxOMark |
March 25
Re: Comparisons
Hello,
Thanks for your interest in DxOMark. As explained in the review, 300mm lenses were the closest lenses, even if it is far from 500mm. Other very long focal prime results should be available soon. Regarding the A99, this camera is in the road map too :) Best regards, The DxOMark team Reply |
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Added by evilthought |
March 21
Use
You guys need to to use the SLT cameras (A99, A77) I know there is 1/2 stop light lost, but you can compensate for that in final scores.
It's ridiculous to be using 5 year discontinued cameras to "test" lenses. Reply | Read all replies for this comment |
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Added by Emilie_DxOMark |
March 25
Re: Use
Hello,
Thanks for your interest in DxOMark. SLT A99 and A77 are currently in the road map. We should publish the results in the next months. Best regards, The DxOMark team Reply |
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