Macro Magic: Sony’s New 100mm f/2.8 GM Macro Lens Delivers Insane 1.4× Life-Size Shots

Sony’s first G Master macro prime is the new FE 100mm F2.8 Macro G Master OSS ^[1], a high-end close-up lens arriving a decade after the popular 90mm f/2.8 G Macro ^[2].
It offers beyond life-size magnification: a native 1.4× (1.4:1) reproduction and up to 2.8× with optional teleconverters ^[3] ^[4].
Premium optics: 17 elements/13 groups including 2 XA and 2 ED elements, plus Nano AR II coating, for corner-to-corner sharpness and onion-ring–free bokeh ^[5] ^[6].
Autofocus: Four XD linear motors, delivering up to ~1.9× faster AF than the 90mm Macro ^[7] ^[8], with full compatibility for 120 fps burst and 4K/120p video.
Stabilization: Optical SteadyShot tuned for macro: compensates yaw, pitch, X/Y shift and even forward/back (Z-axis) shake, so handheld high-magnification shots stay sharp ^[9] ^[10].
Pro Controls: Focus-clutch ring (AF/MF slide), full-time DMF override switch, focus-mode selector, focus-range limiter, aperture ring (click/de-click), dual focus-hold buttons, dust/moisture sealing and fluorine-coated front element ^[11] ^[12].
Price/Availability: Shipping Nov 2025, about $1,499 USD (CAD $1,799) ^[13] ^[14].

Sony’s First G Master Macro Lens

Sony Electronics has unveiled a game-changing macro lens for its mirrorless Alpha cameras: the FE 100mm F2.8 Macro G Master OSS ^[15]. This is Sony’s first macro prime in the top-tier G Master lineup, arriving roughly a decade after the acclaimed 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS ^[16]. Sony says the new lens “delivers stunning detail” at up to 1.4× magnification, and PetaPixel points out it “promises to be the best macro lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras, period” ^[17].

According to Sony’s executives, the 100mm GM is meant to expand creative possibilities. “We’re on a constant mission to expand creative possibilities… and the FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS fulfills that by going beyond traditional macro photography,” says Sony VP Yang Cheng ^[18]. He adds that the lens’ world-class optics will benefit not only macro specialists but also portrait and wedding photographers. In Europe, Sony’s Jazz Sidharh echoes this praise, calling the new lens “a testament to creative innovation” that “transcends the limits of traditional macro photography” ^[19].

Beyond 1:1 – Extreme Magnification and Optics

The 100mm GM’s headline feature is its greater-than-life magnification. Out of the box it reaches 1.4× (1.4:1) reproduction, meaning a subject only ~26×17 mm will fill the frame ^[20]. It can go even further with Sony’s teleconverters: 1.4× and 2.0× converters boost it to 2.0× or 2.8× life-size respectively ^[21] ^[22]. With the 2.0× TC attached, for example, it becomes a 200 mm f/5.6 macro capable of 2.8:1 magnification – “which is dramatic” ^[23] – and it retains full autofocus even at that extreme magnification.

Optically, the 100mm GM is a tour-de-force. Its 17-element/13-group design includes two eXtreme Aspherical (XA) and two Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements to maximize resolution across the frame ^[24]. An 11-blade circular diaphragm provides the smooth, rounded bokeh G Master lenses are known for, free of any “onion-ring” artifacts ^[25] ^[26]. Special Nano AR II coatings suppress flare and ghosting even in challenging light ^[27]. In short, Sony “brought out all the stops” on optics to make this lens both super-sharp and super-creamy ^[28].

Fast AF and Macro-Specific Stabilization

The 100mm GM also boasts cutting-edge performance. It uses four of Sony’s latest XD Linear Focus motors – advanced high-speed actuators – yielding autofocus roughly 1.9× faster than the old 90mm macro ^[29] ^[30]. That means it can keep up with Sony’s fastest bodies at 120 fps continuous shooting or 4K/120p video recording. Sony emphasizes quick, quiet, and precise focusing. Early reports suggest snap-focus is much faster than before, though independent tests will confirm the real-world improvement.

Equally important, Sony has significantly upgraded the image stabilization. The 100mm GM’s OSS is now tuned for macro: it compensates not only for yaw and pitch, but also for lateral (X/Y) shift and even forward/back (Z-axis) shake ^[31] ^[32]. In effect it acts like a “6-axis” stabilizer that fights the tiny tremors of handheld macro work. Sony claims this “significantly reduces macro-specific shake, making it even easier to nail precise focus” ^[33] – a claim echoed by reviewers who note how much steadier extreme close-ups become.

Professional Handling & Controls

As a pro-grade lens, the new 100mm GM is packed with features. It is internally focusing, so its length remains constant when focusing. It retains Sony’s sliding focus-clutch ring: pushing or pulling the ring engages full manual focus, complete with hard stops and distance/magnification scales ^[34]. A dedicated DMF (Direct Manual Focus) switch and a focus-mode selector let you instantly override autofocus when needed ^[35] ^[36]. The focus-range limiter, now optimized for macro use, speeds up focus hunting by avoiding wasted travel.

The lens also adds an aperture ring (with a click/de-click switch) and an iris lock, plus two programmable focus-hold buttons on the barrel. Build quality is excellent: every control is sealed against dust and moisture, and the front element has a fluorine coating to repel smudges. In short, it delivers the full “array of physical controls and dials” that close-up shooters want, making up-close shooting more intuitive ^[37].

Price, Availability, and Outlook

Sony has priced the 100mm GM at about $1,499 USD (roughly CAD $1,799) for North America ^[38]. It will be available for pre-order immediately, with shipments expected in November 2025 ^[39] ^[40]. That puts it at the high end of the macro market, but reviewers say the features justify the premium. For example, Fstoppers calls it a “high-end but versatile tool” for close-up artists ^[41]. By contrast, Canon’s RF 100mm L macro is $1,399 and only 1.4×; Sony’s lens can extend to 2.8× ^[42].

In summary, the new FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS appears to live up to the hype. Sony has essentially created a macro lens that shatters the 1:1 limit, pairing it with world-class optics and full pro handling. As Amateur Photographer notes, it isn’t just a modest update but a “premium upgrade” promising “outstanding image quality and operability” ^[43]. In practice this means it can reveal details invisible to the naked eye – exactly why reviewers say it could “change how you shoot up-close content” ^[44].

Sources: Sony press materials and recent lens reviews ^[45] ^[46] ^[47] ^[48] ^[49] ^[50] ^[51]. These include official specifications and quotes from Sony (Yang Cheng and Jazz Sidharh), plus expert coverage in Petapixel, CineD, Fstoppers, No Film School, and Amateur Photographer.