Sony 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 Telephoto APS-C Lens Assessment

The Sony 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 super-telephoto lens gives a implausible vary of protection with a compact and light-weight construct for handheld capturing.

As a panorama photographer, I used to be on the lookout for a flexible zoom lens to make use of for capturing wildlife and animals when out on a trek however I wished to keep away from a big and heavy lens.

Sony’s 70-350mm telephoto zoom fulfils these necessities, delivering nice protection and a enjoyable capturing expertise because of its comfy design and picture stabilization. 

Learn on, and I’ll element the specs, efficiency, and picture high quality of the Sony 70-350mm f4.5-6.3, in addition to any various Sony lenses you would possibly wish to think about.

Sony 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 Specs

• Mount – Sony E-mount
• Format – APS-C
• Focal size – 70-350mm
• 35mm equal focal size (APS-C) – 105-52mm
• Lens teams/parts – 13-19
• Angle of view (APS-C) – 22°-4°40′
• Most aperture – 4.6-6.3
• Minimal aperture – 22-32
• Aperture blades – 7
• Round aperture – sure
• Minimal focal distance – 1.1-1.5m
• Most magnification ratio – 0.23
• Picture stabilisation – Optical SteadyShot
• Zoom system – guide
• Dimensions – 77 x 142 mm 
• Weight – 625g

Construct & Ergonomics

The Sony 70-350mm f4.5-6.3 lens is a light-weight lens, weighing in at 635g and measuring 14.2cm in size, which involves 19cm when the lens is totally prolonged to 350mm.

Its development is sort of solely plastic, with a metallic lens mount, however however, it feels strong and durable to deal with, particularly contemplating the value level.

There’s a suitably huge zoom ring with a ridged rubber grip band, with a  comparatively brief arc from 70mm to 350mm, permitting for clean zooming all through the zoom vary capturing images or movies.

The guide focus ring sits nearer to the digital camera physique, and whereas it’s shorter than the zoom rings, it’s giant sufficient to seize onto when wanted, with the identical textured end for grip.

Acquainted options from Sony’s native lenses embody the autofocus/guide focus swap, with a further swap to show the lens’s built-in optical stabilization on and off beneath.

There’s additionally a zoom lock swap on the base of the zoom ring, which might be engaged to stop zoom creep when the lens is about to 70mm focal size.

The scale and weight of the Sony 70-350mm f4.5-6.3 lens is the true draw; I can match this in a comparatively small digital camera bag together with two prime lenses with a negligible impression when carrying it over lengthy distances.

The mud and moisture-resistant design provides me further peace of thoughts when capturing wildlife pictures in opposed climate situations, whereas the lens is compact sufficient to work with most rain covers.

Every little thing feels and operates easily, with tight switches and well-dampened rings, making utilizing the lens a pleasure somewhat than a chore, enhancing the general usability and capturing expertise.

Focus Efficiency

Sony A7iii + Sony 70-350mm f/4.0-6.3 | 1/500 f/6.3 ISO1000

The 70-350mm f4.5-6.3 is a suitably swift lens to make use of, with quick and responsive focus efficiency throughout the complete zoom vary when monitoring numerous varieties of topics.

Autofocus efficiency holds up effectively in numerous lighting situations, with correct focus and no noticeable aberrations or distortions compromising the picture.

When monitoring birds and animals outside or testing the lens monitoring my nephew working across the backyard, autofocus hardly ever slips, following quick motion with near-constant reliability.

I used to be in a position to observe numerous animals in comparatively low mild situations on a foggy winter’s morning, capturing bursts of motion that remained sharp and clearly targeted always.

The main target maintain button positioned on the facet of the lens gives further management and might be programmed as a perform button with a Sony digital camera’s menus, whereas the guide focus ring is exact and tactile to make use of.

The minimal focus distance of 1.1m isn’t essentially the most spectacular, however given the character of capturing this lens is predominantly used for, it’s unlikely to trigger any sensible points.

It’s nonetheless shut sufficient to have the ability to get shut in on a topic and be used as a stand-in for a macro lens, and every now and then, it has come in useful for capturing photographs of blooming flowers.

Whereas the 70-350mm f4.5-6.3 won’t be the quickest telephoto zoom lens available on the market, it’s definitely no slouch and performs capably throughout the complete vary of capturing modes it gives.

Picture High quality

I’m utilizing the Sony E 70-350mm f4.5-6.3 G OSS telephoto zoom lens on a full body Sony A7iii, so the crop issue inherent in utilizing lenses designed for APS C cameras means there’s an inherent lack of decision to think about.

Nonetheless, the photographs it produces are sharp and vibrant, with pleasing color copy that ensures a constantly sharp picture throughout the body in addition to nice distinction.

Whereas utilizing an APS-C lens on full-frame cameras can result in vignetting, my A7iii routinely detects the 70-350mm f4.5-6.3, saving time from having to mess around with the settings when switching from full-frame lenses.

Likewise, there’s little in the way in which of distortion or chromatic aberration, delivering reliably sharp and exact pictures when capturing throughout the complete vary of focal lengths.

Whereas super-telephoto lenses on this price range vary aren’t famend for distinctive bokeh, the Sony 70-350mm f4.5-6.3 has some pretty creamy bokeh in out-of-focus areas whether or not capturing at 70mm f/4.5 or 350mm f/6.3.

I’ve been in a position to seize enticing animal portrait images from a substantial distance with none focusing points, and the outcomes have been constantly pleasing, with enticing bokeh surrounding the sharp topics.

This has additionally been the case when monitoring topics in movement, because of the environment friendly and constantly dependable autofocus the Sony E 70-350mm f4.5-6.3 has to supply.

Low-light photos are additionally sharp and crisp. Whereas the f/6.3 aperture ranking at 350mm may end up in slower shutter speeds, the built-in Optical SteadyShot makes it attainable to shoot handheld with out digital camera shake changing into a problem.

The general picture high quality delivered by the Sony 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 is reliably spectacular, additional including to the lens’s attraction as a enjoyable addition to a light-weight setup for out of doors pictures.

It serves up superbly rendered pictures with eye-catching colors, whether or not capturing close-ups of wildlife and nature or opening up the choice to shoot compressed landscapes and even portraits.

Sony 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 Pattern Photographs

Listed here are some pattern photos taken with the {Sony 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3}, utilizing a Sony A7iii.

Sony A7iii + Sony 70-350mm f/4.0-6.3 | 1/320 f/5.0 ISO100

Sony A7iii + Sony 70-350mm f/4.0-6.3 | 1/500 f/6.3 ISO4000

Sony A7iii + Sony 70-350mm f/4.0-6.3 | 1/400 f/6.3 ISO250

Sony A7iii + Sony 70-350mm f/4.0-6.3 | 1/500 f/6.3 ISO100

Sony A7iii + Sony 70-350mm f/4.0-6.3 | 1/40 f/5.6 ISO100

Sony A7iii + Sony 70-350mm f/4.0-6.3 | 1/80 f/6.3 ISO100

Alternate options to Sony 70-350mm

There are a number of different telephoto zoom lenses to select from to the Sony 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3, relying in your price range and preferences for picture high quality, weight, and measurement.

Sony gives a number of E-mount telephoto zoom lenses, from the mid-range Sony FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS lens to the top-tier Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II Lens, priced round £650 and £2000, respectively.

Third-party lens choices are additionally plentiful, with Sigma and Tamron providing comparable lenses to Sony’s native lenses at a extra reasonably priced value than the Sony 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3.

You’ll be able to decide up Tamron’s 70-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD for between £500 and £600 and anticipate it to carry out effectively when in comparison with the Sony lens reviewed right here, though it lacks the vary of options you’ll get with the Sony.

Finally, the Sony 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 gives a novel mixture of zoom vary and ease of use that few rivals can match, making it maybe the perfect lens for Sony digital camera customers in its class.

Worth for Cash

The Sony 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS retails at simply over £800 in the UK, which is barely on the costly facet when thought-about alongside comparable lenses.

Nevertheless, reductions are sometimes accessible for the lens, which might typically convey the value down significantly, so it’s attainable to select one up for a value corresponding to cheaper third-party lenses.

Its actual worth comes from its excellent mixture of picture efficiency and small measurement and weight, making it splendid for wildlife and panorama photographers who usually cowl lengthy distances over tough terrain.

It’s a fraction of the dimensions and weight of Sony’s premium telephoto lenses that require a big digital camera holster to move, and much much less more likely to get broken when scrambling over rocks or wandering off the crushed path.

Photographers for whom weight and bulk are essential and who desire a telephoto zoom lens they’ll use in a run-and-gun capability will get loads of bang for his or her buck from the Sony 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS.

Sony 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 Assessment | Conclusion

The Sony 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS is a pointy, vibrant, and responsive lens that delivers a enjoyable and versatile capturing expertise whereas sustaining a low weight and measurement for out of doors pictures.

Whereas there’s a compromise on decision when capturing on a full-frame digital camera, the trade-off right here is value it in the event you’re capturing outside for lengthy intervals of time and have to hike to the places.

Along with being mild and straightforward to hold round, it gives wonderful picture stabilization with a brilliant quiet autofocus motor, all at a gorgeous value level for newbie photographers.

When you’re on the lookout for a enjoyable super-telephoto zoom lens to develop your repertoire of protection, the Sony 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS is a extremely beneficial addition to your gear.