Contents
Conclusion
Pros
- Exceptionally well-built lens with great haptics and weather sealing
- Fast, quiet and accurate autofocus at most apertures
- Focuses very close
- Extremely sharp across the frame at all focal lengths and apertures
- Very nice bokeh
- Excellent color and contrast
- Very low chromatic aberration
- Good flare control
Cons
- Big and heavy (but expected)
- Mount gasket doesn’t actually touch the mount of the camera
- Some focus errors at small apertures
- Some distortion throughout the range
- Vignetting never goes away
- Price
The cons list may seem a bit long at first for such a high priced lens, but for the most part, they are nitpicks (though worth mentioning). The lens is a very large and very heavy lens for its focal range, and is larger even than many SLR lenses with the same focal length and aperture. It also is a very expensive lens at $2,200 US. However, if you’re a pro who needs a fast standard zoom with excellent quality, both of those cons are really a non issue, and the size is expected given the full-frame coverage and fast aperture.
The bottom line is that this lens is exceptional. I’ve never used a standard lens that is this sharp, and the sharpness is outstanding throughout the entire range and at all apertures and all focus distances. It’s truly remarkable. Throw in good (but not great) bokeh, outstanding color and contrast and very low CA and you’ve got a standard lens that can truly take the place of a bag full of primes. While I personally can’t justify the exorbitant price for my own shooting, those who need a fast standard zoom will be hard pressed to find a better lens. Whether shooting landscapes, events or any other type of shooting, it’s simply an exceptional optic and a wonderful way to kick off the G Master lens line.
Image Samples
Click on an image to enlarge
Thanks for confirming that your 24-70GM lens mount does not fully contact the A7RII lens mounting flange. I noticed the same on my 2nd day of shooting. I have reported this to Sony Pro Support several times over the last month with obsoletely no response from them! I definitely would not call it ‘PRO’ support. The touted ‘weather sealing’ was one of the main reasons I chose to buy this lens as I shoot primarily coastal landscapes in Hawaii.
I would appreciate it if you could inform Sony of your findings about the lack of a true ‘Seal’ between the lens and A7RII lens mount. The lens is not truly ‘sealed’ as it was clearly advertised by sony. The only way to get Sony’s attention and acknowledgment of this flaw is to get as many users as possible to complaint about this issue. For $2200 they should offer to repair / modify or replace the seal on this otherwise exceptional lens. It’s a shame that sony can not get something so simple as a sub $1.00 gasket right the first time.
This is the best 24-70 GM so far, quite impressive! Thanks so much for sharing!
How would you rate this vs Fuji’s 16-55?
It’s better. The Fuji was good, but didn’t really blow me completely away. I was very surprised at how good the 24-70 GM was.
I was on the fence regarding this lens and decided to pass. The convenience of a standard zoom for the A7RII with a decent IQ was enticing for the convenience factor alone. However, the lack of IS and the “extending” design is a dealbreaker for me. My old Nikon 24-70 f2.8 VR G-lens had none of these limitations; I would have thought SONY would have stepped up to the overall sophistication and quality level other than just matching the price.
The seal issue is another design and/or manufacturing flaw but the reported lack of response from SONY’s ironically labeled “Pro” support arm if true, would be yet another reason to stay far away.
I really hope the company rebalance its priorities and focuses on Q/A more instead of overfunded creative marketing.
Actually the best standard zoom is the canon 24-70 2.8 II. I use this via meta ones on my A7R II.
I know Sony has put forth an aggressive marketing campaign for their G master lenses by using these “reviews”
But the Images I see using the Sony compared to my canon are not in the same universe. The Sony is good but not in the prime like sharpness class of its canon counterpart.
The Canon 24-70 2.8 II is a legendary performer that has not yet been matched much less out performed.
Considering I paid to rent the lens to write a review on it, I can most assuredly say this isn’t a marketing campaign. It’s a stellar lens. Having not put it head to head with the Canon, I can’t say which is better, but the Sony is the best standard zoom I have used. I won’t buy it – it’s too expensive for me and too big for my type of shooting and my desires, but it is truly excellent. Lens rentals did a test with the Sony, Canon and Nikon and the Sony and Canon were at the top and very comparable.
Tested my 24-75 Canon and had good results at 24mm but at 35mm and more the extreme corners presented some smearing effect in combination with my Sony A7r2.
Maybe some extreme field curvature or a bad copy.
Didn’t see it with some legacy glass, 30-70mm f3.4 Contax C/Y for example. Should say this lens performs almost as good as my 28f2.8 and 50mmf2.8 Contax C/Y…
Didn’t have the possibility to test the new Sony 24-70 f2.8 but ill do it.
For the moment in a landscape mode and must confess that I’m very happy with the Contax 30-70 C/Y.
But use most of the time the Sony 16-35mm (Loxia 21mm and Samyang 14mm for night shots).
Thanks for this excellent review
Was actually the Canon 24-70 2.8 II (not 24-75), sorry