Is the GM II worth it over the original 24-70mm GM?

Yes for most buyers. It is lighter, smaller and sharper wide open, with faster autofocus, so the upgrade is felt in daily use rather than only on test charts.

Does it work on APS-C Sony bodies?

Yes. It mounts on E-mount APS-C bodies, where it gives a roughly 36-105mm equivalent field of view, though it is large for those cameras.

Does it have optical image stabilization?

No. Stabilization comes from the camera body, so pair it with an IBIS-equipped Sony body for handheld low-light work.

Is it weather sealed?

It has dust and moisture resistance at the mount and seams, but Sony does not publish a formal ingress rating, so treat it as resistant rather than waterproof.

The lens, front and rear caps, a lens hood and a soft case. A tripod collar is not included.

How does it compare with the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art?

The Sony is lighter and smaller with faster autofocus; the Sigma is a strong optical alternative for less outlay but heavier and slower to focus.

Sony SEL2470GM2 FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Full-Frame Constant-Aperture Lens

Q: Where is the Sony SEL2470GM2 FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Full-Frame Constant-Aperture Lens cheapest?

At Willoughby's Photo Emporium, for $1,759.00, 28% under what the other stores charge, as of our latest check.

Q: Where can I buy the Sony SEL2470GM2 FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Full-Frame Constant-Aperture Lens?

14 stores we checked sell it, including Focus Camera, Willoughby's Photo Emporium, Best Buy, Lowe's, pictureline.

Best price now

$1,759.00at Willoughby's Photo EmporiumChecked 10 h ago

28% under what the other stores charge

Compared across 14 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

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What reviewers say

Owners and reviewers treat the GM II as a clear step up from the original, praising the weight and size cut without losing sharpness. Most say it is the standard zoom to beat for E-mount, with the main reservations being cost and the lack of optical stabilization.

What people mention

WeightPraisedOwners say the 191 g reduction makes it far easier to carry all day than the previous model.
SharpnessPraisedReviewers report strong resolution at f/2.8 across the frame, better than the first GM.
AutofocusPraisedUsers describe focus as fast and quiet, working well for both stills and video.
PriceCriticisedBuyers note it costs considerably more than third-party f/2.8 standard zooms.
StabilizationMixedSome wish it had optical stabilization, though most rely on in-body stabilization.
BokehPraisedShooters like the smooth out-of-focus rendering for portraits and events.

About the Sony SEL2470GM2 FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Full-Frame Constant-Aperture Lens

The Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II is a full-frame standard zoom lens with a constant f/2.8 aperture. It is part of Sony's G Master line and is built for both stills and movies. It weighs 695 grams, which is 191 grams less than the previous model. Its length is 16 mm shorter, and its overall volume is about 18% smaller.

The optics include two XA (extreme aspherical) elements, two ED (extra-low dispersion) glass elements, two Super ED glass elements and a floating focus mechanism. These control chromatic aberration, astigmatism, distortion and coma at all zoom and aperture settings. Nano AR Coating II reduces flare and ghosting. An 11-blade aperture unit and XA elements made with 0.01-micron precision suppress onion ring bokeh.

Four XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors drive the autofocus, with about 2x better tracking performance while zooming than the previous model. With a compatible body, it can shoot at up to 30 frames per second. For movies, the design reduces image shifts and angle-of-view variations. The lens has independent focus and aperture rings, and Linear Response MF gives a direct, linear focus ring response in manual focus.

Lens type

Full-frame standard zoom, constant aperture

Focal length

24-70 mm

Maximum aperture

f/2.8

Weight

695 g

Aperture blades

Min. focus distance

0.21 m at 24 mm; 0.30 m at 70 mm

Max. magnification