SAN DIEGO, CA – April 27, 2022 – Sony Electronics Inc. announced today the 67th lens in its mirrorless E-mount lineup – the highly-anticipated, FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II (model – SEL2470GM2). Sony developed the world’s lightest F2.8 standard zoom lensi using its leading lens technology to deliver stunning resolution and beautiful bokeh known to Sony’s “G Master” series. The FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is one of the most versatile lenses in the line-up and was created for photographers, videographers, and hybrid content creators.
“Six years have passed since Sony released the first 24-70 mm F2.8 G Master and in that time, our customers’ needs have changed,” said Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “We are always listening to our community and have designed the new FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II around feedback from creators. Knowing the 24-70 mm focal length is extremely popular, it was imperative that we continue improving to bring our most advanced technology to such a critical lens in our customers’ kit. Today, we are thrilled to introduce the world’s smallest and lightest F2.8 standard zoom lens.”
Evolved Image Quality in a Zoom Lens that Rivals Prime Lenses[i]
The FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is great for a compact yet versatile set up and allows users to capture extremely sharp, detailed imagery for both stills and video. The new lens features high resolution across the frame—even with the aperture wide open. A completely redesigned optical path features five aspherical elements, including two high-precision XA (extreme aspherical) elements. The FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II also includes two ED (extra-low dispersion) plus two Super ED glass elements. Combined with a new floating focus mechanism, the lens effectively controls chromatic aberration, astigmatism, distortion and coma so that outstanding resolution is achieved throughout the image area at all zoom and aperture settings.
Even when shooting in challenging lighting conditions, the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II achieves excellent clarity by effectively subduing flare and ghosting. This is thanks to Sony’s original Nano AR Coating II, which produces a uniform anti-reflecting coating on the lens surface. The FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II produces stunning bokeh throughout the zoom range with beautiful and almost perfectly circular bokeh with its advanced optical design and a newly developed 11-blade aperture unit.
In this new 24-70 mm design, this lens delivers outstanding close-up performance with a minimum focusing distance of 8.25 inches (0.21 meters) at 24 mm and 12 inches (0.30 meters) at 70 mm, and with a maximum magnification of 0.32x.
Fast and Precise Autofocus
The FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II achieves reliable focus by using four of Sony’s original XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors, a floating focus mechanism and advanced lens control – even when shooting a fast-moving subject. In addition, the lens supports up to 30 fps[ii]continuous shooting for stills and 4K 120p video recording with autofocus.
The FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II enables full AF tracking performance even when shooting stills with the aperture stopped down, making it possible to use deeper depth of field to ensure that moving subjects remain in sharp focus when shooting continuously[iii]. The lens’ AF tracking performance while zooming is approximately two times better than the previous model[iv].
Refined Capabilities for Creative Filmmaking
With its constant F2.8 maximum aperture, astounding AF performance, versatile control, and solid reliability, the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is designed for all types of video applications. The FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II offers extremely quiet AF operation, thanks to the XD Linear Motors and a newly developed aperture unit. Using the latest lens technology, the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II reduces focus breathing, focus shift and axial shift when zooming for smooth video footage. This lens also supports the breathing compensation function[v] provided in compatible Alpha series cameras.
As an added benefit for advanced video creation, the newest lens includes Linear Response MF (manual focus) that ensures high repeatability when focusing manually as the focus ring responds directly and repeatedly to subtle control. It also includes an aperture ring making manual aperture/iris control fast, direct, and easy. The dedicated iris ring enables click-less control to achieve smooth depth of field transitions.
Unrivalled Mobility
Designed to perfectly pair with Sony’s compact Alpha™ system E-mount cameras, the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is the world’s smallest and lightesti 24-70 mm F2.8 zoom in its class and offers unprecedented shooting flexibility and freedom in a wide range of situations. The FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II weighs just 24.6 ounces (695 grams), approximately 20% less (7 ounces) than the original 24-70 mm F2.8 G Master. The lens’ length has been reduced by 16 mm, and overall volume has been reduced by approximately 18%.
Reliability and Improved Control
The new FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II was developed based on feedback from professionals to offer even better control and usability than preceding models. This model includes:
- Zoom smoothness switch to adjust zoom ring torque either Tight or Smooth
- A newly added aperture ring with click ON/OFF switch and iris lock switch
- Two customizable focus hold buttons
- The focus ring responds directly and linearly to subtle control when focusing manually
- New lens hood design with an opening to control circular polarizing filters (dia. 82mm)
- The center of gravity back toward the mount for improved handling and operation
An updated dust and moisture resistant[vi] design provides extra reliability for outdoor use in challenging conditions. The buttons and switches are fitted with rubber gaskets, and a rubber ring seals the lens mount. The front lens element also features a fluorine coating that repels water, oil, and other contaminants, while making it easier to wipe off any contaminants or fingerprints that become attached to the lens surface.
Pricing and Availability
The new FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II will be available in June for approximately $2,300.00 USD and $3,000.00 CAD and will be sold at a variety of Sony’s authorized dealers throughout North America.
For detailed product information, please visit:
- (US) – FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
- (CA) – FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Meanwhile Canon seems content to release one or two bodies and a handful of lenses each year. Perhaps that's a reasonable approach when maintaining a camera product portfolio, but is it sufficient when playing catchup? We'll see how this plays out.
The only guessing here is your speculation about what might happen in the future. In the case of Nikon, it would require a dramatic turnaround of their severely eroded market share, making your guesswork seem far-fetched. But time will tell.
I do think Canon has made some very good decisions regarding their recent mirrorless body and lens offerings, enabling them to make the great strides they have. But their rate of release needs to be ramped up or they'll slip back.
Yes, Nikon are making strides with the Z9 and latest lenses, but they'll soon need to push their prices up to Canon level in order to remain viable.
Sony have the excellent but overpriced A1, and a very complete set of lenses, and it will be interesting to see their next models.
According to Canon, 2022 is the "year of the body", so I think that before the end of the year we can probably expect:
"R5S" (hi-res body)
"R1" (pro battleship equal or better than Z9)
"R7" (APS, spec speculative)
"R10" (model below RP)
As for lenses, the RF range is pretty complete already, just a few specialised lenses still to come, and if the lenses you want aren't yet available in RF, there are millions of pristine secondhand EF lenses that should be more than enough to satisfy 99% of use cases.
Spoiler content hidden.
Look, this isn’t hard. There’s ILC market share. Canon dominates that, Nikon used to be second but they’ve dropped to a distant third behind Sony.
You can segment the ILC market into DSLRs and MILCs. The former is mainly Canon and Nikon, and Canon has a strong lead in that segment. Sony leads the MILC segment, Canon is a close second (and has been steadily closing the gap), Nikon is distant third in that segment.
Predictions of doom in varying degrees for Canon have been common here for well over a decade. Early on, it could have been said that Canon defied the predictions. At this point, it’s pretty evident that such predictions defy reality.
But I got to admit: a focus hold button is a nice feature Canon is missing on a lot of lenses
Personally, if had a camera with IBIS and it could somehow natively use the Sony 24-70 f/2.8 GM II or the Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8L IS, I would prefer the Sony for the size and weight savings. (Yes, I appreciate IBIS + IS should be better than IBIS alone, but IBIS would be good enough for on a 24-70.) In fact, even with a camera which didn't have IBIS, I might well prefer the Sony. YMMV of course.