Sony’s new FE 28-70 f/2 GM lens is a standard zoom with a prime lens rivaling aperture – and almost the same size as a 24-70mm f/2.8
(Image credit: Tom Oldham / Sony)
Sony has just announced its latest lens – the Sony FE 28-70 f/2 GM – which takes the standard zoom and gives it a prime lens rivaling aperture, but in a size that is actually practical for professional photographers who might otherwise choose a 24-70mm f/2.8.
Wide-aperture standard zoom lenses to rival prime lenses have long been the dream of photographers and engineers alike, and there are some compelling options out there – Sigma’s 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art achieves a prime rivaling f/1.8 but at the sacrifice of focal length, or Tamron’s 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD has a big range, but can’t quite maintain the maximum aperture. Canon has perhaps come close a few years ago with its RF 28-70mm f/2 USM lens – although that was a monster of a lens. But the Sony 28-70mm might actually be the first lens to pull off the triple threat of focal range, large aperture, and practical size.
Although lets not get carried away – the Sony 28-70mm still weighs in at 918g, which is certainly not light and is a lot weightier than the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8, which itself weighs not insignificant 695g. However, against the only other 28-70mm f/2 currently out there – the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 – the Sony version is practically featherweight with a huge 512g difference, with the Canon coming in at a colossal 1,430g.
It's not just weight saving though where Sony’s team has pulled off an engineering coup, the lens is also 92.9mm x 139.8mm, which again comparing it to the Canon lens is 10.9mm narrower in width, although both lenses are interestingly identical lengths.
(Image credit: Gareth Bevan / Digital Camera World)
The Sony 28-70mm has a floating focus mechanism powered by four XD linear motors, which enable focus tracking up to 120fps in video and optically suppresses focus breathing as well as working with Sony’s in-camera focus breathing corrections. For close-up capabilities, the 28-70mm can focus down to 0.38m with a 0.23x magnification.
The zoom mechanism is external but only extends around 15mm from the camera at 70mm – which should help with balancing the camera in rigs or on tripods.
In the traditional Sony G Master style, the lens is fully sealed for dust and moisture resistance and the front 86mm element has a fluorine coating on the front to repel grease and grime, and a Nano AR II coating to reduce flare and ghosting.
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The lens has two customizable focus hold buttons, a focus switch to flick between manual and auto, an iris ring with a lock switch to stop it from slipping in or auto of auto, and a zoom smoothness switch if you prefer a loose smooth zoom for video or a tight zoom for precise control.
(Image credit: Gareth Bevan / Digital Camera World)
Internally the lens has an 11-bladed aperture for rounded bokeh. The structure is made up of three Super ED extra-low dispersion and one ED element to reduce chromatic aberrations, as well as three aspherical elements and three extreme aspherical (XA) elements to reduce onion ring effects in bokeh – which Sony claims should produce image quality that is comparable to a prime lens.
This addition to the Sony lineup brings the total number of Sony E-mount lenses up to 77. The Sony FE 28-70mm f/2 GM is available to preorder right now and will be appearing in stores in December. Buckle up for the price though, the lens is eye-wateringly expensive, launching at $2,899.99 / £3,199.99 / AU$5,299 – start saving now.
Gareth is a photographer based in London, working as a freelance photographer and videographer for the past several years, having the privilege to shoot for some household names. With work focusing on fashion, portrait and lifestyle content creation, he has developed a range of skills covering everything from editorial shoots to social media videos. Outside of work, he has a personal passion for travel and nature photography, with a devotion to sustainability and environmental causes.
