Sony Vario-Sonnar T* 24–70mm F2.8 ZA SSM vs Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Vario-Sonnar T* 24–70mm F2.8 ZA SSM compared with FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM
SonyVario-Sonnar T* 24–70mm F2.8 ZA SSMSonyFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM
Overview
ReleasedFebruary 2008March 2016
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length24–70 mm24–70 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/2.8
Minimum aperturef/22f/22
Optical construction17 elements in 13 groupsEighteen elements in thirteen groups
Special elementsTwo aspherical elements and two ED elementsThree aspherical elements in total including one XA element; one ED and one Super ED element
CoatingsZeiss T* coatingSony Nano AR coating
DiaphragmNine rounded bladesNine rounded blades
Angle of view84°–34° full-frame; 61°–23° APS-C84°–34° full frame; 61°–23° APS-C
Mount and compatibility
MountsSony ASony E
Image circleFull frameFull frame
Image circle detailFull-frame A-mount coverage; 36–105 mm equivalent field of view on APS-CFull-frame coverage; 36–105 mm equivalent field of view on APS-C
Teleconverter supportSony 1.4× and 2× teleconverters unsupportedNot compatible with Sony E-mount teleconverters
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.34 m0.38 m
Maximum magnification0.25×0.24×
Optical stabilisation–No
Autofocus detailIn-lens Super Sonic wave Motor (SSM)Direct-drive SSM
Focus distance detail0.34 m minimum focus; distance scale and internal focusing0.38 m minimum focus distance
Magnification detail–0.24× maximum magnification
Stabilisation detail–No optical stabilisation; compatible camera body stabilisation can be used
Video features–Constant F2.8 maximum aperture and quiet direct-drive SSM focusing
Design
Dust and moisture resistant–Yes
Filter diameter77 mm82 mm
Maximum diameter83 mm87.6 mm
Length111 mm136 mm
Weight955 g886 g (better)
ControlsFocus-mode switch and focus-hold buttonManual-focus and zoom rings, AF/MF switch, focus-hold button, zoom lock switch and hood release button
Filter detail–82 mm front filter thread
Weather resistance–Dust and moisture resistant design with rubber mount ring; not guaranteed to prevent all ingress
Dimensions detail–87.6 mm maximum diameter × 136 mm maker length; extends at longer zoom settings (Photography Blog and Digital Camera World)
Weight detail–Approximately 886 g lens; separate hood and caps excluded
Zoom designExtending zoom barrel; front element does not rotate during zooming or focusing (OpticalLimits)–
Lens hoodPetal-shaped bayonet hoodALC-SH141 petal bayonet hood, supplied
In the boxHood and lens caseALC-SH141 hood, ALC-F82S front cap, ALC-R1EM rear cap and soft carrying case
Release detailSony’s 1 February 2008 announcement specifies 15 February sale in Japan.Sony Canada announcement dated 3 February 2016 specifies March availability; Sony Japan later confirms 28 April 2016. Main date retains earliest maker month; exact first global sale day unconfirmed. Two full independent reviews read: Photography Blog Mark Goldstein Alpha 7R II and Digital Camera World Matthew Richards, which does not state test camera. Differing35mm sharpness findings retained. Blog countsXA in addition to three asphericals, callsDDSSM linear and hoodround; maker three total includingXA, directdriveSSM and petalhood used. No inferred predecessor link

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