If you ask any professional photographer what lens they wouldn’t be without, it would probably be a 24-70mm. The simple reason is that it’s a one-lens-fits-all and enables you to travel relatively light. However, now that mirrorless cameras lead the field, the old 24-70mm f/2.8 still seems a little on the large side, so addressing this, the Sony FE 24-50mm F2.8 G lens has been released. The new focal length range and the compact size will appeal to many as a lighter weight every day and an ideal choice for both enthusiasts and Pros. The lens has been designed for full-frame Sony α-series cameras, although if you have an APS-C A6700 or FX30, then this lens will also be an ideal choice. What will really appeal to many, aside from the focal length range, is the F2.8 aperture that ensures a consistent exposure from 24-70mm and a decent amount of control over the depth of field.
The optics and design include four aspherical elements and two extra-low dispersion (ED) elements, which minimise aberrations and ensure clear, high-resolution images throughout the zoom range. Inside, the 11-blade circular aperture contributes to smooth bokeh and helps isolate the subject from the background.
Autofocus on Sony Alpha cameras is already impressive, and the new Sony FE 24-50mm F2.8 G has been designed to keep up with the pace. Two linear motors inside provide fast, accurate, and quiet focusing, making it equally suitable for stills and video, including 4K at 120 fps.
This makes the lens particularly adept at tracking moving subjects, and a perfect partner for the Sony A9 III.
The focal range also sees the lens come in at a far smaller size than the popular 24-70mm, measuring 74.8 mm in diameter, 92.3 mm in length, and weighing in at 440 grams. Another feature that will appeal to many is that the lens’s construction includes dust and moisture resistance, so not only is it lighter and smaller than the popular 24-70mm, but it also features all the weather resistance and durability, making it a perfect everyday and outdoor use lens.
Another major angle for the focal length is video. The lens’s consistent F2.8 aperture, precise autofocus, and minimal focus breathing make it a decent choice for gimbal or drone work. The lens also supports direct manual focus for precise control, again making it a good choice for run-and-gun videographers.
As ever with Sony lenses there has been plenty of consideration about the use of the lens with a customisable focus, hold button, AF/MF switch, and aperture ring with de-clickable stops for smooth aperture transitions during video recording. As with the first Sony Zeiss 24-70mm that first appeared with the original Sony lenses, this new lens features a 67mm filter thread for filters and other accessories.
The new Sony FE 24-50mm F2.8 G looks like a great lens and certainly one that will find great appeal with photographers and videographers looking for a lighter alterative to the excellent Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 G.
For more information of the Sony FE 24-50mm F2.8 check out the product page at Sony’s website