Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II by Sony Group Corp - lighter G Master zoom for hybrid shooters

The Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lands in the hand with a distinct click as you twist its zoom ring, the metal barrel cool against your fingers even under studio lights. This G Master zoom is Sony’s current take on the classic full-frame workhorse focal range for E-mount.

What Sony changed in the Mark II

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is the successor to the original 24-70mm F2.8 GM launched in 2016, and Sony product manager Shunsuke Muramatsu describes it as a response to hybrid creators demanding lighter gear with faster autofocus. The Mark II lens weighs roughly 695 grams, shaving about 20 percent compared with the first-generation model’s 886 grams according to Sony’s specifications.

This zoom keeps a constant maximum aperture of F2.8 across the entire 24-70mm range, paired with an updated optical formula of 20 elements in 15 groups including two extreme aspherical (XA) elements and two extra-low dispersion (ED) elements. Sony’s official product page highlights Nano AR Coating II to fight flare and ghosting, especially in backlit scenes where older designs tend to wash out contrast.

Handling, dedicated controls and AF

In the field, reviewers at DPReview note the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II’s shorter length and lighter mass make a noticeable difference when mounted on a Sony ?7 IV or FX3, especially over a full shooting day. The lens body integrates an aperture ring with click and de-click options, allowing video shooters to change F-stops smoothly without the distinct mechanical detents that still photographers often like.

There are also two customizable focus hold buttons, one on the side and one on the top, plus a zoom smoothness switch that lets users toggle between tight and smooth zoom action. Sony says the lens uses four XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors for autofocus drive, improving focus speed and tracking for high frame rate stills and eye AF in video compared with the older design.

Optical performance and video use

Independent tests from sites like Photography Life and Sony Alpha Blog generally show high sharpness across the frame from wide angle to tele, with only slight softness at 70mm wide open that cleans up by F4. Corner sharpness at 24mm is reported as strong for a zoom of this type, supported by the combination of XA and ED elements reducing aberrations.

The lens features a rounded 11-blade diaphragm, giving out-of-focus highlights a smoother rendering, which portrait photographers and wedding shooters value when working around 50-70mm. Focus breathing control is an explicit design goal according to Sony’s release, and video reviewers on YouTube note reduced framing shifts when racking focus compared with the first-generation 24-70mm GM.

Weather sealing and build

Sony describes the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II as having dust and moisture resistance, with seals at critical points along the barrel and a rubber gasket around the lens mount. The front element carries a fluorine coating aimed at repelling water, oil and fingerprints, making it easier to wipe clean when switching locations or working in light rain.

The tactile feel is generally more modern than the original GM: polycarbonate in some outer sections keeps weight down, while key structural components and the mount remain metal. Reviewers mention the zoom ring is slightly lighter than the original version, and the aperture ring clicks firmly when engaged, giving a clear tactile cue in dim environments.

Where it sits in Sony’s lens lineup

Within Sony’s E-mount lens catalog, the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II sits alongside other G Master zooms like the FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II and FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II, giving professionals a continuous F2.8 trio spanning 16-200mm. Sony’s German site shows the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II under its G Master lens category aimed at high-end still and video creators rather than casual users.

For more budget-conscious shooters, Sony continues to offer options like the FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS kit zoom and FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS, but the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II remains the premium mid-range zoom. It is also positioned against third-party competitors such as Tamron’s 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 and Sigma’s 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art, which undercut Sony on price but not necessarily on integration with Sony’s autofocus algorithms.

Pricing and availability

Sony announced the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II in April 2022, with availability starting in Europe and North America around June 2022. The launch press materials list a European price around 2,400 to 2,500 euros, depending on country, while the US suggested retail price is about 2,300 dollars.

As of mid-2026, major retailers in Germany, Japan and the US still carry the lens as an active product, often bundled with Sony ?7-series or FX-series bodies for video kits. Availability extends widely across both photo specialist shops and general online marketplaces, although occasional discounts suggest it sits above the budget tier and targets professionals or serious enthusiasts.

Use cases: stills and video in one kit

Muramatsu and Sony’s imaging team emphasize the hybrid concept: one lens that can shoot events, corporate video, social content and still campaigns without swapping glass constantly. On a Sony full-frame body, 24mm covers establishing shots and environmental portraits, while 70mm gives more compressed framing for head-and-shoulder portraits or detail work.

Videographers appreciate the clickless aperture option and minimized focus breathing, especially combined with Sony’s newer bodies offering focus mapping and advanced AF. For single-operator setups, the lighter weight matters when the lens rides on a gimbal, where a heavy front element can quickly exceed payload limits and cause fatigue.

Stock context: Imaging as part of Sony’s mix

In Sony Group Corp’s broader business, imaging products like the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II sit within its Electronics segment alongside image sensors and consumer cameras, contributing to revenue but not dominating the group in the way gaming or financial services might. Still, the Sony Group Corp share (ISIN JP3435000009) on the Tokyo Stock Exchange reflects the combined performance of these segments rather than this single lens.