Photo 1 of 2

Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G · Photo source

Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G
Photo 1 of 2

Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G · Photo source

Sony

FE 12-24mm F4 G

Released July 2017

A full-frame E-mount ultra-wide zoom with constant F4 aperture, direct-drive SSM autofocus and a fixed petal hood.

Mount
Sony E
Focal length
12–24 mm
Max aperture
f/4
Stabilisation
No
Weight
565 g

What reviewers say

Both praise sharpness, relatively low weight and fast quiet autofocus, with weaker 24 mm performance and visible distortion and vignetting. Photography Blog misses optical stabilisation; OpticalLimits accepts its omission and emphasises correction of raw files. Both note the lack of front filter compatibility. OpticalLimits particularly cautions that its extreme field of view requires careful composition.

From photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com and opticallimits.com

Optics

Lens type
Zoom
Focal length
12–24 mm
Maximum aperture
f/4
Minimum aperture
f/22
Optical construction
Seventeen elements in thirteen groups
Special elements
Four aspherical elements, three ED elements and one Super ED element
Coatings
Sony Nano AR coating
Diaphragm
Seven rounded blades
Angle of view
122°–84° full frame; 99°–61° APS-C

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Sony E
Image circle
Full frame
Image circle detail
Full-frame coverage; 18–36 mm equivalent field of view on APS-C
Teleconverter support
Not compatible with Sony E-mount teleconverters

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus
Yes
Minimum focus distance
0.28 m
Maximum magnification
0.14×
Optical stabilisation
No
Autofocus detail
Direct-drive SSM with internal focusing
Focus distance detail
0.28 m minimum focus distance
Magnification detail
0.14× maximum magnification
Stabilisation detail
No optical stabilisation; compatible camera body stabilisation can be used
Video features
Constant F4 maximum aperture and internal focusing

Design

Dust and moisture resistant
Yes
Maximum diameter
87 mm
Length
117.4 mm
Weight
565 g
Controls
Manual-focus and zoom rings, AF/MF switch and customisable focus-hold button
Filter detail
Maker specifies no attachable front filters; no front filter thread
Weather resistance
Dust and moisture resistant design; not guaranteed to prevent all ingress
Dimensions detail
87 mm maximum diameter × 117.4 mm length
Weight detail
Approximately 565 g lens; separate caps excluded; hood is fixed
Lens hood
Fixed petal hood
In the box
Front cap, ALC-R1EM rear cap and soft case
Release detail
Sony 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

Pros and cons

Pros

  • 12 mm ultra-wide coverage
  • Constant F4 maximum aperture
  • Dust and moisture resistant design

Cons

  • No front filter thread
  • No optical stabilisation

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
Sony E12–24 mmf/2.8No847 gJul 2020
Sony E16–35 mmf/4Yes518 gNov 2014
Sony E16–35 mmf/2.8No680 gJul 2017

Sources

  1. sony.jp/ichigan/products/SEL1224G/spec.html
  2. sony.jp/ichigan/products/SEL1224G/feature_1.html
  3. sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/201705/17-0519
  4. news.cision.com/sony-of-canada/r/sony-introduces-two-new-wide-angle-full-frame-…
  5. photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_fe_12_24mm_f4_g_review
  6. photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_fe_12_24mm_f4_g_review/conclusion
  7. opticallimits.com/sony/sony-fe-full-format/sony-fe-12-24mm-f-4-g-sel1224g-review

Photo: sony.jp

Spot a mistake? Tell us