Sony FE 24-70mm f2.8 GM II is Smaller, Lighter, and Faster

Sony has just announced the 67th lens in its E-mount series for mirrorless cameras – the highly anticipated FE 24-70mm f2.8 GM II (SEL-2470GM2). Currently, Sony is updating its premium G Master series professional lenses, replacing them with improved Mark II versions. After the FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM OSS II, which was more compact and lighter than its predecessor, now comes the 24-70mm GM II, which replaces its predecessor introduced in 2018.

Sony FE 24-70mm f2.8 GM II

To create the world’s lightest f/2.8 standard zoom lens for mirrorless cameras, Sony has applied its leading lens technologies to deliver what it calls “breathtaking” resolution and “beautiful” bokeh that G Master lenses are known for. As one of the most versatile models in the range, the FE 24-70mm f2.8 GM II is suitable for photographers and videographers as well as creative people who create content in both fields.

The Sony FE 24-70mm f2.8 GM II combines compactness and versatility and enables exceptionally sharp, detailed images in both still and video recordings. The completely redesigned optical construction includes five aspherical elements, including two high-precision XA (Extreme Aspherical) elements. In addition, the lens has two elements made of ED glass (Extra-low Dispersion) and two Super ED glass elements. In combination with a new floating focus mechanism, the lens can effectively compensate for chromatic aberrations, aberrations, coma, and distortion.

Even when shooting under difficult lighting conditions, the FE 24-70mm f2.8 GM II enables crystal-clear sharpness, as stray light and ghosting effects are effectively suppressed. That is ensured by Sony’s original AR Nano Coating II, which forms an even anti-reflective layer on the lens surface. The lens produces beautiful and almost perfectly circular bokeh throughout the zoom range thanks to its advanced optical design and newly developed eleven-blade aperture.

In its new design, this 24-70mm lens also offers excellent close-up performance with a minimum focusing distance of 0.21m for 24mm and 0.3m for 70mm, and a maximum magnification of 0.32x. The lens also supports burst shooting at up to 30 frames per second for photos and 4K/120p video recording with autofocus.

The new zoom enables full AF tracking performance even when shooting with a small aperture. That allows greater depth of field to be achieved to ensure moving subjects are sharp even when shooting continuously. The lens’ AF tracking performance when zooming is about twice as good as the previous model.

The new 24-70mm is specifically designed for Sony’s Alpha System compact E-mount cameras. It is the world’s smallest and lightest 24-70mm zoom lens with a constant aperture of f/2.8 and offers great flexibility when shooting a wide range of situations. The FE 24-70mm 2.8 GM II weighs just 695 grams, around 20 percent lighter than the original 24-70mm 2.8 G Master. The lens length has been reduced by 16 millimeters to 119.9 millimeters, and the total volume by around 18 percent. The size of the filter thread (Ø 82 mm) has remained the same.

Price and availability

The new Sony FE 24-70mm f2.8 GM II is now available to pre-order via Bhphotovideo.com and Adorama.com for $2,298 and will be available from May 2022.

Sony FE 24-70mm f2.8 GM II specifications

Sony FE 24-70mm f2.8 GM II
  • Focal Length: 24 to 70mm
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Lens Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format: Full-Frame
  • Angle of View: 84° to 34°
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 8.3″ / 21 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.32x
  • Optical Design: 20 Elements in 15 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 11, Rounded
  • Focus Type: Autofocus
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Front Filter Size: 82 mm
  • Dimensions (ø x L): 87.8 x 119.9 mm
  • Length at Maximum Extension: 6″ / 152 mm
  • Weight: 1.5 lb / 695 g

About Ankeet Solanki

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