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Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM vs Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyFE 12-24mm F2.8 GMSonyFE 12-24mm F4 G
Overview
ReleasedJuly 2020July 2017
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length12–24 mm12–24 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/4
Minimum aperturef/22f/22
Optical construction17 elements in 14 groupsSeventeen elements in thirteen groups
Special elementsThree XA extreme-aspherical elements, one aspherical element, three ED and two Super ED glass elementsFour aspherical elements, three ED elements and one Super ED element
CoatingsNano AR Coating II; fluorine coating on front elementSony Nano AR coating
DiaphragmNine rounded bladesSeven rounded blades
Angle of view122°–84° full frame; 99°–61° APS-C122°–84° full frame; 99°–61° APS-C
Mount and compatibility
MountsSony ESony E
Image circleFull frameFull frame
Image circle detailFull-frame coverage; 18–36 mm equivalent field of view on APS-CFull-frame coverage; 18–36 mm equivalent field of view on APS-C
Teleconverter supportNot compatible with SEL14TC or SEL20TCNot compatible with Sony E-mount teleconverters
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.28 m0.28 m
Maximum magnification0.14×0.14×
Optical stabilisationNoNo
Autofocus detailFour XD linear motors, two per floating focus group; internal focusingDirect-drive SSM with internal focusing
Focus distance detailMinimum focus 0.28 m throughout the zoom range; Linear Response MF0.28 m minimum focus distance
Magnification detailMaximum magnification 0.14×0.14× maximum magnification
Stabilisation detailNo lens stabilisation; compatible bodies provide stabilisationNo optical stabilisation; compatible camera body stabilisation can be used
Video features–Constant F4 maximum aperture and internal focusing
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesYes
Maximum diameter97.6 mm87 mm
Length137 mm117.4 mm
Weight847 g565 g
ControlsAF/MF switch, one customisable focus-hold button, zoom and focus rings; no aperture ringManual-focus and zoom rings, AF/MF switch and customisable focus-hold button
Filter detailNo front filter thread; rear holder accepts cut sheet filters, with cutting template suppliedMaker specifies no attachable front filters; no front filter thread
Weather resistanceDust- and moisture-resistant design; not guaranteed completely dust- or moisture-proofDust and moisture resistant design; not guaranteed to prevent all ingress
Dimensions detail–87 mm maximum diameter × 117.4 mm length
Weight detailApproximately 847 g lens with integral hood; separate caps excludedApproximately 565 g lens; separate caps excluded; hood is fixed
Lens hoodFixed petal hood integrated into the lensFixed petal hood
In the boxLocking front cap, ALC-R1EM rear cap, soft carrying case and filter templateFront cap, ALC-R1EM rear cap and soft case
Release detailSony Australia specified late July 2020 availability; Sony UK specified August for Europe and Japan specified 7 August, separate from 14 July pre-orders. Main date uses the earliest maker-confirmed July precision. TechRadar’s 24–48 mm APS-C equivalent is inconsistent with maker18–36 mm; Photography Blog’s focal-range section uses the APS-C angles, with maker full-frame angles retained here. Review distortion and corner-darkening differences are preservedSony Canada announcement dated 17 May 2017 specifies July shipping; Sony Japan revised notice specifies 7 July 2017. Main release retains month precision because exact first global sale day is unconfirmed. Two independently authored full reviews read: Photography Blog Mark Goldstein on Alpha 7R II and OpticalLimits Klaus Schroiff with a well-centred sample. Their differing assessment of omitted stabilisation retained. Raw versus corrected distortion/vignetting qualified. Blog weight560g, full-frame angle99–61degrees and hood release button conflict with maker565g,122–84degrees and fixed hood. Conflicting review barrel-material claims omitted; no inferred predecessor link

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