SONY FE 24-70MM F2.8 GM I| (SEL2470GM2)

The Must-Have Standard Zoom

- Trevor Tan

The FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is the world's smallest and lightest F2.8 standard zoom lens, according to its maker. Compared to its predecessor, it is 18% smaller at 12cm (down from 13.6cm) and 20% lighter at 695g (down from 886g). And yet, it has grown in terms of optical performance with 20 lens elements - two more than the original.

The design - comprising five aspherical lenses, two extra-low dispersion (ED) and two super ED glass elements - has undergone a revamp to reduce chromatic aberration and distortion for better image quality across the range of its focal length and aperture.

With the new optical design and 11-blade aperture unit, the lens is said to deliver beautiful bokeh throughout its focal range. Sony's Nano AR Coating II helps produce uniform anti-reflection. Plus, the lens is said to have internal seals that protect it from dust and moisture.

For autofocusing (AF), the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens uses Sony's four extreme dynamic linear motors in a floating focus mechanism for speedy AF. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 21cm at 24mm focal length and 30cm at 70mm focal length.

It supports a 82mm filter thread, similar to its predecessor. So if you have a polariser filter at that diameter, you can use it on this lens too. However, like its predecessor, it does not come with in-built image stabilisation. As such, it will have to depend on the mounted camera body's IBIS.

In terms of design, the lens is as basic as it gets. There is a focusing ring in front with an aperture ring closest to the lens mount. There is also an Iris Lock switch to prevent accidental turning of the aperture ring. In front of the aperture ring is the zooming ring, while two focus hold buttons and a focus mode switch can be found between the focusing ring and zooming ring.