Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Review: The Ultimate Standard Zoom
Complete review of the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II lens. We test sharpness, bokeh, autofocus speed, and compare it to competitors.
The Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II is Sony’s second-generation professional standard zoom, and it sets a new benchmark for what’s possible in this lens category. Lighter, sharper, and faster than its predecessor—let’s dive into what makes this lens special.
Key Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 24-70mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 constant |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Lens Elements | 15 elements in 13 groups |
| Aperture Blades | 11 (circular) |
| Minimum Focus | 0.21m (wide), 0.30m (tele) |
| Filter Size | 82mm |
| Weight | 695g |
| Weather Sealing | Yes |
Build Quality and Handling
The first thing you notice is the weight—or rather, the lack of it. At 695g, the GM II is remarkably light for a professional f/2.8 standard zoom. Compare this to the original GM (886g) or the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 (900g), and you’ll appreciate what Sony’s engineers achieved.
Physical Features
- Aperture ring with click/click-less switch
- Focus hold button (customizable)
- AF/MF switch
- Zoom lock at 24mm
- Dust and moisture resistant
The build quality is impeccable. Everything feels precise and professional. The zoom ring is smooth with just the right amount of resistance, and the focus ring is well-damped for precise manual adjustments.
Optical Performance
Sharpness
This is where the GM II truly excels. Center sharpness is exceptional from f/2.8, and corner performance is the best we’ve seen from any standard zoom:
| Aperture | Center | Corner |
|---|---|---|
| f/2.8 | Excellent | Very Good |
| f/4 | Excellent | Excellent |
| f/5.6 | Excellent | Excellent |
| f/8 | Excellent | Excellent |
At 24mm, there’s slight softness in the extreme corners wide open, but it’s barely noticeable in real-world shooting. By f/4, the entire frame is tack sharp.
Chromatic Aberration
Lateral CA is well-controlled and easily corrected in post. Longitudinal CA (focus fringing) is minimal for an f/2.8 zoom—impressive given the aperture.
Distortion
- 24mm: Moderate barrel distortion (corrected in-camera)
- 35mm: Minimal distortion
- 50-70mm: Slight pincushion (corrected in-camera)
With profile corrections enabled (automatic on Sony bodies), distortion is not a concern.
Vignetting
Expect about 1.5 stops of vignetting at 24mm f/2.8, decreasing to about 0.5 stops by f/5.6. This is typical for the class and easily corrected.
Bokeh Quality
The 11-blade aperture produces beautiful, rounded bokeh. Out-of-focus highlights are smooth without significant outlining or onion-ring effects. For a zoom lens, the bokeh quality approaches that of prime lenses.
At 70mm f/2.8, you can achieve pleasing subject separation for portraits. The minimum focus distance of 0.30m at the telephoto end enables creative close-up shots with significant background blur.
Autofocus Performance
Sony equipped the GM II with four XD linear motors—two for focusing, two for aperture control. The result:
- Near-silent operation (perfect for video)
- Lightning-fast AF acquisition (~0.15 seconds)
- Excellent tracking performance
- No focus breathing (great for video)
In our testing with the A7R V, the lens maintained focus lock on moving subjects with near-perfect accuracy. Wedding photographers and event shooters will appreciate the reliability.
Video Performance
The GM II is essentially designed for hybrid shooters:
- No focus breathing: Subject size doesn’t change during focus pulls
- Silent motors: No AF noise in audio recordings
- Smooth iris control: Click-less aperture for exposure transitions
- Parfocal behavior: Minimal focus shift when zooming
For documentary, wedding films, or content creation, this is arguably the best standard zoom available.
Compared to Competition
| Lens | Weight | Price | AF Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony 24-70mm GM II | 695g | $2,298 | Fastest |
| Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 | 900g | $2,399 | Fast |
| Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 | 805g | $2,296 | Fast |
| Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 Art | 830g | $1,099 | Good |
The Sony GM II commands a premium but delivers the lightest weight and fastest autofocus in its class.
Sample Images
The GM II excels across its focal range:
- 24mm: Landscapes, architecture, environmental portraits
- 35mm: Street photography, reportage
- 50mm: General purpose, natural perspective
- 70mm: Portraits, compression effects, details
Who Should Buy This Lens?
Ideal for:
- Professional photographers needing versatility
- Wedding and event photographers
- Videographers and content creators
- Travel photographers wanting one lens solution
- Anyone upgrading from the original GM
Consider alternatives if:
- Budget is tight (Tamron 28-75mm offers great value)
- You only shoot stills and don’t need video features
- You prefer prime lenses for maximum quality
Verdict
Rating: 9.8/10
The Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II is the best standard zoom we’ve ever tested. It’s sharper, lighter, and faster than anything else in its class. The price is high, but you’re getting a lens that will serve you for years across countless shooting situations.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness across the frame
- Lightest in its class
- Fastest autofocus available
- Beautiful bokeh
- No focus breathing
- Outstanding build quality
Cons
- Premium price
- 82mm filter size is larger than competitors
- Slight corner softness at 24mm f/2.8
Price: $2,298 | Check Price on Amazon
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