SONY Introduces New FE 24-70 MM F2.8 GM II

Sony Electronics Introduces the new FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II - The World's Smallest and Lightest F2.8 Standard Zoom Lens

Sony’s latest G Master™ E-mount mirrorless lens offers industry-leading optical design, unique actuator technologies, advanced autofocus and many more impressive features.

SAN DIEGO, CA – April 27, 2022 – Sony Electronics Inc. announced its 67^th E-mount mirrorless lens – the highly anticipated FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II. Sony has developed the world’s lightest F2.8 standard zoom lensⁱ, using leading lens technologies to achieve the impressive resolution and beautiful bokeh that Sony’s “G Master” series is known for. The FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is one of the most versatile lenses in the series, developed in collaboration with photographers, cinematographers, and hybrid content creators.

It’s been six years since Sony launched the first G Master 24-70mm F2.8 lens. Since then, our customers’ needs have changed,” said Yang Chug, Vice President of Digital Imaging Solutions for Sony Electronics Inc. “We are always listening to our community and we developed the new Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II, based on feedback from our creators. We know that 24-70mm focal length lenses are extremely popular, so it was especially important for us to continue making improvements and incorporate our latest technologies into these important lenses for our customers. Today, we are proud to introduce the smallest and lightest F2.8 standard zoom lens.”

Zoom lens with image quality rivalling that of prime lenses[1]

The Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is ideal for a compact, yet versatile set that allows users to capture both stills and video with exceptional sharpness and image detail. The new lens offers high resolution in every corner of the frame, even at maximum aperture. The completely redesigned optical system uses five aspherical elements, including two high-precision XA (extreme aspherical) elements. The Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II also uses two ED (extra-low dispersion) and two Super ED glass elements. In combination with a new floating focus mechanism, the lens effectively controls defects such as chromatic aberrations, defocus (astigmatism), distortions and asymmetric aberrations, to achieve exceptional resolution at every point of the frame at all zoom and aperture settings.

Even when shooting in difficult lighting conditions, the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II achieves excellent image sharpness, effectively suppressing unwanted glare and light artefacts. This is due to the Nano AR Coating II, an original Sony development, which achieves an even anti-reflective coating across the entire lens surface. The Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II achieves impressive bokeh at every zoom setting with beautiful and almost perfectly circular bokeh thanks to the advanced optical design and newly developed 11-blade diaphragm.

With this new 24-70mm design, the lens offers remarkable close-up performance with a minimum focal length of 8.25 inches (0.21 meters) at 24mm and 12 inches (0.30 meters) at 70mm and a maximum magnification of 0.32x.

Fast and precise autofocus

The Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II achieves reliable focus with the help of four XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors, an original Sony development, a floating focus mechanism and improved lens control, even when shooting fast-moving subjects. In addition, the lens supports speeds up to 30 fps[2] for continuous shooting and 4K 120p video recording with autofocus.

The Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II allows full AF tracking, even when shooting with a fixed aperture, which allows for greater depth of field and ensures that moving subjects remain in focus during continuous shooting[3]. The autofocus tracking performance in zoom is approximately twice as good as the previous model[4].

More opportunities for creative freedom in video capture

With a constant maximum aperture of F2.8, impressive autofocus performance, multiple control options and high reliability, the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is designed for all types of video applications. The FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II offers exceptionally quiet autofocus thanks to the XD linear motors and newly developed diaphragm. Building on the latest lens technologies, the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II reduces unwanted focus fluctuations during zooming, axial displacement and axial shift, as well as "breathing" during focus changes, to achieve smooth video recording. The lens also supports the focus fluctuation compensation function,[5] which is offered by compatible Alpha series cameras.

As an additional advantage for creating video content with high execution complexity, the latest lens in the series offers Linear Response MF, which ensures high reliability for manual focusing, with the focus control ring responding instantly with reliable repeatability to the slightest touch for easy control. The lens also includes an aperture control ring, making manual aperture/diaphragm control quick, direct and easy. The separate aperture ring allows for smooth control, achieving a smooth transition in depth of field.

Unparalleled mobility

Designed as the ideal complement to the compact Sony Alpha™ E-mount camera system, the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is the smallest and lightestⁱ 24-70mm F2.8 zoom lens in its class and offers unprecedented flexibility and freedom for shooting in any situation. The Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II weighs only 695 grams, or approximately 20% less compared to the original 24-70mm F2.8 G Master. The length of the lens has been reduced by 16mm, and the overall volume has been reduced by approximately 18%.

Reliability and improved control

The new Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II was developed based on feedback from professionals in the field and meets their needs for better control and greater convenience when working with the lens compared to previous models. This model includes:

• A zoom smoothness control button that sets the rotation of the zoom ring to Tight or Smooth;
• A new aperture control ring with click ON/OFF button and an aperture lock button;
• Two customisable focus hold buttons;
• A focus control ring that responds quickly and linearly to the slightest movement when using manual focus;
• A new lens hood design with openings for controlling circular polarising filters (diam. 82mm);
• Centre of gravity shifted backwards towards the mount for easier handling of the lens.

A new dust and moisture resistant[6] design provides additional reliability when used outdoors in adverse conditions. All buttons and the lens mount are protected by rubber seals and a rubber ring respectively. The front lens element has a fluorine coating that repels water, grease and other contaminants and makes cleaning dirt and fingerprints from the lens surface much easier.

The new Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II will be available from June at a price of BGN 4799 and will be offered by various authorised Sony retailers.

Exclusive stories and exciting new content shot with the new Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II, as well as information on other Sony digital imaging products, can be found at www.alphauniverse.com, a page created to educate and inspire all enthusiasts and customers of the Sony α - Alpha brand.

Notes:

[1] Comparison of MTF tables (modulation transfer function)

[2] When used with Alpha 1. Continuous shooting mode “Hi+”. Effective at shutter speeds of 1/125 of a second or higher. AF-C mode at shutter speeds of 1/250 of a second or higher. Maximum frame rate in continuous shooting depends on the selected shooting mode.

[3] When using a compatible camera and aperture drive settings in autofocus [Aperture Drive in AF] set from the camera to [Focus Priority]. See the Sony support page on the internet for information on camera-compatible products.

[4] Sony tests. Compared to SEL2470GM.

[5] For information on compatible models, please visit: https://www.sony.net/dics/breathing/ Available only in video recording mode. When this function is enabled, slight changes in the angle of view and image quality may occur. Compensation does not cover all possible situations.

[6] 100% protection against dust and moisture is not guaranteed