Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS
Announced February 7, 2017
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Exceptional
Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS is a specialized portrait and macro lens that uses an optical apodization element to produce exceptionally smooth, natural bokeh. While this unique design delivers stunning background blur, it limits light transmission to an effective T5.6, making it less suitable for low-light environments.
Weighted from 31 reviewer scores
Pros
- Stunning, buttery-smooth bokeh quality
- Extremely sharp optical performance across the frame
- Robust build quality with weather sealing
- Effective optical image stabilization
- Versatile macro capabilities with up to 1.4x magnification
Cons
- High price point compared to alternatives
- Reduced light transmission due to the apodization element
- Significant focus breathing
- Bulkier size and weight
- Sluggish autofocus in low-light conditions
- Launch price $1,498 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 100mm f/2.8
- Mount & coverage Sony E Full-Frame
- Stabilization Optical IS
- Close focus 57 cm (0.25x)
- Filter thread 72mm
- Autofocus motor Autofocus
- Weight & size 700g · 85.2 x 118.1 mm (3.35 x 4.65 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 31 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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I feel like this is giving me a lot of tangible improvements.
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[I]f you’re serious about the quality of the bokeh characteristics of your wedding and portrait work, nature and wildlife, we recommend strong consideration of this amazing lens.
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The FE 100 f2.8 A macro GM becomes not only Sony's best macro lens to date, but the best macro lens that I've personally tested on any system.
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This is a solid and welcome upgrade from the 90mm, and a fantastic lens overall. And just like the 90mm, if you enjoy macro, this is probably one of the most versatile lenses you can have in your Sony kit.
- OpticalLimits 8/10
The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS is certainly a controversial lens. In terms of sheer depth-of-field power and speed, it is a mediocre lens.
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Sony has done a great job with the FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS. It builds on the success of the FE 90mm Macro G OSS and adds several meaningful upgrades that macro enthusiasts will appreciate.
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The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS is a unique lens, primarily due to the optical apodization (APD) element.
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I’ve reviewed dozens of macro lenses over the years, and I can say with confidence that the Sony FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS is the best of them all.
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Apart from that little niggle, though, this is virtually the perfect portrait lens: bucket loads of sharpness, great build quality, no vignetting at all, a brilliant close shooting ability, and most of all, simply incredible bokeh.
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The Sony GM 100 STF is a somewhat specialized tool. I would not recommend it as the only lens for portraits as its lack of light transmission limits its use to pretty good light or on a tripod at slower shutter speeds.
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There is no doubt this is an amazing, high-quality optic and that the use of an apodization element adds something very special.
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The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS is an outstanding portrait lens for Sony full-frame compact system cameras, with the new unique optical apodization lens element producing some stunning bokeh effects.
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This is a fantastic lens.
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This Sony prime certainly isn’t lacking in sharpness, but that’s not really the point.
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The Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS lens features an APD element to smooth out-of-focus highlights, and is certain to appeal to serious portrait photographers.
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The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS is a G Master lens aimed at professionals who take macro photography seriously.
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Fast focus, great physical features, more magnification, top image quality.
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If I had a portrait studio or a wedding business this lens would be in my bag on day one of its release.
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Despite these potential pitfalls, the 100mm leverages a unique optical design to deliver breathtaking bokeh and outstanding sharpness. This performance has made the 100mm STF one of the most used lenses in my kit.
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It basically is an allpurpose lens.
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I would say this 100 mil certainly lives up to the name of a G Master macro lens.
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I think everyone's going to be very pleased in terms of sharpness, image quality coming out of the lens.
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The Sony FE 100mm STF GM OSS is optically superb, as almost all 100mm fixed lenses are, and it has a clever internal filter to help make backgrounds super-smooth.
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For me, there’s no better short tele lens than the Sony FE 100mm F/2.8 STF GM OSS. And this surprised me.
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This is the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS lens, one of the best portrait lenses period.
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While many lenses in Sony’s line up produce extremely sharp in-focus areas, the Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS quite simply produces the most natural out-of-focus bokeh of any lens ever made.
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Sony’s G Master lenses are designed for photographers who expect a very high standard of performance, and with the FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS, macro photographers finally have a G Master option of their own.
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To me, the improved bokeh turns it from being a fantastic macro lens into a more versatile lens that you could use for events and portraits.
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[T]his is a very nice specialized lens, and if you're that kind of person who wants that, it's great, but if you're like me and you're a natural light photographer [...] this is probably not the lens for you.
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[I]n terms of optical quality, we were quite impressed with the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS.
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I'm going to place the Sony 100 millimeter G Master macro lens in my top five macro lenses. If you're a Sony shooter, you can't go wrong with this lens.
