Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens Summary

The second generation Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens arrives hot on the heels of the FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Mark II, as the second G Master zoom to be updated. Not only is it significantly smaller and lighter than its 2016 predecessor, but packs four XD linear focus motors for tenacious AF performance when shooting both stills and video. High resolution, edge to edge sharpness rivals even the best prime lenses for Sony, while an 11-bladed aperture renders gorgeous rounded bokeh with smooth out of focus areas.

As one of the most versatile professional zoom lenses for full-frame Sony cameras, this is a workhorse suited to everything from portraits and landscape photography to weddings, wildlife and moviemaking. It’s these subjects which inspired the mark II design, resulting in a new standard zoom, which is 191g lighter with around 18% less mass than the previous generation. The XD linear motors are extremely effective with fast and quiet autofocus and tenacious tracking for video and stills at up to 30fps burst rates, which the flagship a1 delivers.

Key Features

• The world’s smallest and lightest G Master f/2.8 standard zoom lens
• 191g lighter and around 18% more compact than previous model
• Ultra fast, precise and quiet AF with four XD (Extreme Dynamic) linear focus motors
• Significantly improved focus tracking while zooming
• Ultra-high resolution from a new G Master optical formula rivalling prime lenses
• Nano AR Coating II provides even better flare and ghosting control
• Ideal for video with reduced focus breathing and linear response MF
• 11-bladed round aperture design renders beautiful bokeh with controlled onion rings
• Minimum focus distance of 0.21m - 0.3m with 0.32x magnification
• Reliable dust and moisture sealing, Fluorine coating and new lens hood

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens (SEL2470GM2) in More Detail

Highly evolved image quality

The updated Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens boasts a new G Master optical formula, which renders high resolution across the entire frame and throughout the zoom range. This is delivered by an arrangement of 20 lens elements in 15 groups, with several special lenses. These include x3 aspherical, x2 ED Glass (extra-low dispersion), x2 XA (extreme aspherical) and x2 Super ED elements. These render well controlled chromatic aberrations, distance related aberrations, coma and an internal floating focusing mechanism provides sharper results at all distances. This allows the second generation Sony 24-70mm GM II to keep up with the ultra-high resolution A7R IV and other cameras with extremely high resolution sensors.

The latest Nano AR Coating II is employed on lens surfaces for more effective flare and ghosting control, while the optical design reduces internal reflections to maintain contrast even in difficult lighting situations.

Improved close-up capability

With professional videographers, portrait, wedding and nature photographers counted amongst the many users, Sony has improved minimum focusing distances and magnification with the new model. You can now shoot as close as 21cm at the wide end and 30cm at the telephoto end with a 0.32x magnification ratio. This allows you to capture beautifully detailed shots of anything from food, nature, wedding bands and any other subjects in frame-filling close-up.

High performance autofocus

Technology has come a long way since the release of the original 24-70mm G Master and Sony upgraded the focusing system in the mark II lens with four XD (Extreme Dynamic) linear focus motors within a floating focus mechanism. This delivers incredibly fast, accurate and quiet focusing as required for both stills and video, particularly welcome in hybrid cameras like the a7 IV or video-centric a7S III. Tracking while zooming has also been significantly improved, which works seamlessly with the low weight of the lens for perfectly balanced shots when using a gimbal or stabiliser.

Enhanced video capabilities for creators

The rise in moviemaking, vlogging and other content creation requires a different set of tools, which Sony has incorporated into the FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens. To begin with, focus breathing has been reduced for better focus pulls on the updated model. A Zoom smoothness switch also provides refined control with ‘smooth’ and ‘tight’ torque adjustment, ideal when switching between stills and video shooting.

For manual focusing there’s linear response MF, which enables control over the angle of rotation and how it affects focus adjustment. Users can of course program Touch focus and AF assist onto programmable buttons as required. Whichever type of focusing you use, it’s noticeably quicker and more accurate in AF, while delivering the versatility and fine MF control, which hybrid shooters in particular benefit from.

Outstanding control and durability

The G Master name has been maintained with the 24-70mm GM II through optical capabilities, professional control for streamlined workflows and excellent build quality. Dust and moisture weather sealing has been included for outdoor use, with sealed seams, silicone rubber gaskets on switches and buttons, as well as a rubber ring on the lens mount. Debris, oils and dirt are repelled by a Fluorine coating on the front element, which also offers easy maintenance when cleaning the optics.

Sony has also redesigned the petal lens hood (ALC-SH168) to accompany the updated 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II, with a lens filter slot. This makes it far easier to adjust variable ND filters and circular polarisers while the hood is attached.

Controls on the barrel include:

• Aperture ring with f-stop engravings
• Aperture click switch – switch on/off clicks and 1/3-stop adjustment
• IRIS lock switch – removes the chance of accidental aperture changes
• x2 customisable Focus hold buttons
• Focus mode switch AF/MF
• Zoom ring
• Zoom smoothness switch with two torque settings

11-Bladed circular diaphragm for beautiful bokeh

Capture smooth out of focus areas and beautiful rounded bokeh throughout the zoom range with the bright f/2.8 constant aperture found in the professional 24-70mm GM II lens. The 11-blade rounded aperture design renders smooth round bokeh balls with minimal onion rings thanks to two XA lens elements. The results are beautiful whatever your subject and can be enhanced by the close minimum focus distance resulting in even more exaggerated defocus effects.

Read our Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM Vs Mark II Lens Review here to see how the new smaller, lighter and faster lens compares with the original.

What’s in the box

• Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens for E-mount
• Front and rear lens caps
• New petal lens hood ALC-SH168
• Soft case and Case strap

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens Sample photos

Sample 1: Mounted on the Sony a1 body focal length 24mm. Camera settings: 1/200sec. f/4. ISO 500.

Sample 2: Mounted on the Sony a1 body focal length 42mm. Camera settings: 1/1000sec. f/4. ISO 100.

Sample 3: Mounted on the Sony a1 body focal length 70mm. Camera settings: 1/200sec. f/4. ISO 400.

Sample 4: Mounted on the Sony a1 body focal length 70mm. Camera settings: 1/200sec. f/4. ISO 500.