Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM reviews roundup: is it worth the price?

Released in 2016, the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM is a premium standard zoom lens designed for Sony FE-Mount full-frame cameras, with a fixed aperture of f/2.8. It’s an essential and versatile standard lens since its focal length is suitable to photograph various subjects: landscape, street photography, portraits…

The lens includes two rings and a small latch locks the lens at 24mm (which is useful during transport).

The Sony FE 24-70 mm f/2.8 GM zoom is particularly suitable for professionals who are looking for a bright and versatile lens. It belongs to the G Master range and has a superior optical quality and a build which make it ready for extreme conditions of use (humidity and dust).

Specs:

Mount: Sony FE-mount (Full frame)
APS-C equivalent: 36-105 mm
No optical stabilization
Weather sealed
Weight: 886 grams (1.953 lb)
Min. aperture: f/2.8
Max. aperture: f/22
Minimum focus distance: 0,38m
Filter size: 82 mm

Sale

Sony SEL2470GM E-Mount Camera Lens: FE 24-70 mm F2.8 G Master Full Frame Standard Zoom Lens Black

SONY EMOUNT LENS: 35mm full frame format, instant auto / manual focus selection, focus hold button. The minimum focus distance is 0.38 meters.Image stabilizer : Not support. AF Motor : Direct Drive...
NATURAL, LIFELIKE IMAGERY: ED and Super ED glass elements deliver breathtaking texture and detail
REDUCED ABERRATION: Two aspherical elements and an extremely precise XA element maximize resolution

What do the critics think of the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM?

Overall, most reviews on the web say that the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM is a good but not exceptional lens considering its very high price. It delivers sharp images with a nice bokeh. The constant aperture f/2.8 over the entire focal length range is a big plus if you want to use the lens in low light. Of course, for this price tag the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM is tropicalized.

Even if there’s no integrated stabilization, it’s not a big deal if you have one of the new 5-axis stabilized hybrid cameras from Sony like the A7III.

The main negative points that come up most often are its size and weight: with this Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM you’ll be losing the lightness, which is the primary interest of mirorless cameras. However, you’ll be dealing with an all-around professional quality lens.

Alternatives:

If the Sony is too expensive for you, the closest and most competitive lens in the same category would be the Tamron 28-75 mm f/2.8 Di III RXD. Its focal length is not as wide, but it offers very good technical performance. It’s also very light weight (550 g) compared to the Sony, and much, much cheaper.

Most reviews like…

Very sharp
Constant aperture of f/2.8
Low distortion and vignetting
Very pleasant bokeh
Build quality is excellent (Weather-sealed)
Silent autofocus

Most reviews don’t like…

Big and heavy, seems disproportionate compared to the mirorless cameras bodies for which it is designed
Price
No optical stabilization (but not necessary if your camera is already stabilized)

For more infos about the positive and negatives sides of the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM, check out the selection of reviews below:

Websites Reviews

Enthusiastphotoblog.com – 7 out of 10 (‘If you don’t care about weight or price, go with the Sony 24-70 f/2.8 GM.‘)
Photographyblog.com – ★★★★½ (‘It’s pretty big and heavy for a standard zoom for mirrorless systems’)
Sansmirror.com – Recommended – (‘Sony sought to make a state-of-the-art 24-70mm f/2.8 for the FE mount, and they achieved that.‘)
Trustedreviews.com – ★★★★½ (‘Those who view image quality as a priority ahead of practicality aren’t likely to give its size and weight a second thought.’)
Ephotozine.com – ✪✪✪✪✪ – Highly Recommended (‘A superb standard zoom with high resolution and sublime bokeh.’)

Youtube reviews

Dustin Abbott – ‘If you can afford it and can handle the size and weight of this Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM, you’ll be very happy with it.‘
Chris Turner Photographer – ‘If you’re in low light a lot, then it might not be the lens for you’
DigitalRev TV – ‘If you want the sharpest zoom to take photos of everything, the Sony 24-70mm GM is it if you don’t mind the size’

Amazon users reviews

See what they say about this lens here