Is the f/4 aperture a problem?

It is fine for daylight, travel and landscape. For shallow depth of field or indoor action, an f/2.8 zoom or a fast prime is a better fit.

How does it compare with the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM?

The GM is sharper, a stop faster and much larger and heavier. This lens is the lighter, cheaper option with softer corners.

Does it work on APS-C E-mount bodies?

Yes, it mounts on any E-mount body, but on APS-C it behaves like a 36-105mm lens and you carry more size and weight than needed.

Is the stabilization useful on bodies with IBIS?

It adds little on recent bodies with in-body stabilization. It helps most on early full-frame bodies without IBIS.

What comes in the box?

Retail kits include the lens, front and rear caps, a lens hood and a soft case. Check that a used copy includes the hood.

Used copies and clearance sales are where the savings are, since the lens is an older model superseded by newer zooms.

Sony Vario-Tessar T FE 24-70mm f4 ZA OSS Lens

Last price we saw

$998.00at Best Buy, last seen Nov 7

Prices change often: ask the agent below to check today's price at every store.

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Check today's price at Best Buy

Ask our agent about this product

It checks today's price at every store, compares the alternatives and answers in about a minute.

Our take on the Sony Vario-Tessar T FE 24-70mm f4 ZA OSS Lens

The Sony Vario-Tessar T FE 24-70mm f4 ZA OSS is a full-frame standard zoom for Sony E-mount cameras, built with Zeiss and covering wide angle to short telephoto at a constant f/4. It has optical stabilization and a metal barrel with a Zeiss T* coating. It is the original standard zoom for Sony's full-frame mirrorless line, and used and discounted copies are common now that the f/2.8 GM II and 20-70mm f/4 exist.

Best forFull-frame E-mount owners wanting one walk-around lensTravel and landscape shooters who value size over speedVideo shooters who want stabilization in a zoomBuyers picking up a used standard zoom on a budget

Pros

Constant f/4 across the whole 24-70mm range
Optical SteadyShot helps in low light and handheld video
Zeiss T* coating controls flare and keeps contrast up
Compact and light for a full-frame standard zoom
Solid metal build with smooth zoom and focus rings

Cons

Sony Vario-Tessar T FE 24-70mm f4 ZA OSS Lens prices at every store

Best BuyNew
Out of stock
$998.00Free shippingObserved at 12:01 PM
Visit Best Buy

Store links may earn us a commission. Price via Klarna.

Sony Vario-Tessar T FE 24-70mm f4 ZA OSS Lens price history

Lowest price we've seen: $998.00 on Nov 7 at Best Buy. Tracked across 1 store since Nov 7.

What reviewers say

Owners see it as a convenient, well-built do-everything zoom whose image quality is good but not exceptional. Most criticism centers on corner softness at the ends of the range and the f/4 aperture.

What people mention

SharpnessMixedReviewers find the center sharp but corners soft at 24mm and 70mm wide open.
ApertureCriticisedThe constant f/4 is seen as limiting for portraits and dim light.
StabilizationPraisedOSS is credited with steady handheld shots and smoother video.

Questions and answers

Is the f/4 aperture a problem?: It is fine for daylight, travel and landscape. For shallow depth of field or indoor action, an f/2.8 zoom or a fast prime is a better fit.
How does it compare with the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM?: The GM is sharper, a stop faster and much larger and heavier. This lens is the lighter, cheaper option with softer corners.
Does it work on APS-C E-mount bodies?: Yes, it mounts on any E-mount body, but on APS-C it behaves like a 36-105mm lens and you carry more size and weight than needed.
Is the stabilization useful on bodies with IBIS?: It adds little on recent bodies with in-body stabilization. It helps most on early full-frame bodies without IBIS.
What comes in the box?: Retail kits include the lens, front and rear caps, a lens hood and a soft case. Check that a used copy includes the hood.
When is it cheapest?: Used copies and clearance sales are where the savings are, since the lens is an older model superseded by newer zooms.