Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM

Sony

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM

Released March 2016

A full-frame E-mount standard zoom with constant F2.8 aperture, an XA element and direct-drive SSM autofocus.

Mount
Sony E
Focal length
24–70 mm
Max aperture
f/2.8
Stabilisation
No
Weight
886 g

What reviewers say

Both praise image quality, construction and fast quiet autofocus, while criticising weight and price. Photography Blog reports a sharpness dip at 35 mm on Alpha 7R II; Digital Camera World describes strong wide-open sharpness throughout the zoom range. Both find low colour fringing and appealing rendering. Their focal-length assessments differ, and Digital Camera World does not identify its test body.

From photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com and digitalcameraworld.com

Optics

Lens type
Zoom
Focal length
24–70 mm
Maximum aperture
f/2.8
Minimum aperture
f/22
Optical construction
Eighteen elements in thirteen groups
Special elements
Three aspherical elements in total including one XA element; one ED and one Super ED element
Coatings
Sony Nano AR coating
Diaphragm
Nine rounded blades
Angle of view
84°–34° full frame; 61°–23° APS-C

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Sony E
Image circle
Full frame
Image circle detail
Full-frame coverage; 36–105 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
0.38 m
Maximum magnification
0.24×
Optical stabilisation
No
Autofocus detail
Direct-drive SSM
Focus distance detail
0.38 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 diameter
82 mm
Maximum diameter
87.6 mm
Length
136 mm
Weight
886 g
Controls
Manual-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
Lens hood
ALC-SH141 petal bayonet hood, supplied
In the box
ALC-SH141 hood, ALC-F82S front cap, ALC-R1EM rear cap and soft carrying case
Release detail
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

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Constant F2.8 maximum aperture
  • Zoom lock switch
  • Dust and moisture resistant design

Cons

  • No optical stabilisation
  • 886 g lens weight

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
Sony E24–70 mmf/2.8No695 gMay 2022
Sony E24–70 mmf/4Yes426 gJan 2014
Sony E24–105 mmf/4Yes663 gNov 2017

Sources

  1. sony.jp/ichigan/products/SEL2470GM/spec.html
  2. sony.jp/ichigan/products/SEL2470GM/feature_1.html
  3. news.cision.com/sony-canada/r/sony-launches-new-g-master--brand-of-interchangea…
  4. sony.jp/ichigan/info2/20160331.html
  5. photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_fe_24_70mm_f2_8_gm_review
  6. photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_fe_24_70mm_f2_8_gm_review/conclusion
  7. digitalcameraworld.com/reviews/sony-fe-24-70mm-f28-g-master-review

Photo: sony.jp

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