Today we're discussing
this new Sony 24-70 f/2.8 G Master version two,
which is basically a refresh like we recently saw
with the 70-200.
And while it might not be quite as impressive
of an update compared to that 70-200 Mark II,
it does still manage to eke out with the title
of best 24-70 available for Sony E.
For disclosure Sony lend me this lens to make this review.
I don't get to keep it.
No money changed hands
and Sony does not get any input on this video's production
or get to preview before it's posted.
This video does have a sponsor though
and that Storyblocks.
The most notable difference
about this new lens is the build.
It is significantly smaller and lighter
than both the previous G Master
and the reigning champ for a 24-70 on this system,
in my opinion, the Sigma 2.8.
Let's weigh them all now
and I will give you the weights with the caps on them.
So starting with the new lens.
This one weighs 730 grams, which is 1.6 pounds.
The older G Master is two pounds or 923 grams.
And then the Sigma 2.8 is 854 grams or 1.8 pounds.
So they rank like this,
but the difference between the new G Master
and the older G Master is massive.
And you can really feel it when it's on the camera.
It balances a lot better and is a lot easier to handle
and is much preferred from a user experience perspective.
It's also more feature rich than this other than as well
and brings it much more in line
with their other modern G Master lenses
with the inclusion of a de-clickable aperture ring
with the iris lock function.
Two, dedicated function buttons and an AF/MF switch.
And they've also added this new lever that says,
"Smooth and Tight,"
which increases the friction on the zoom ring.
So you can adjust it to your preference.
And the textures for feel more refined and modern.
Oh, and the front filter diameter is 82 millimeters,
which is the same as the other two lenses.
Manual Focusing is also much improved.
On the original G Master, the focus ring was non-linear
making repeatable focus pulls nearly impossible.
This new lens is now completely linear
with a focus throw of about 140 to 150 degrees.
Now, the Sigma isn't exactly linear either
but it has a very long throw
and a more intuitive acceleration.
So manual focusing is quite viable on the Sigma
but I'd still give the win to the new G Master.
However, the Sigma takes back a huge win when it comes
to being parfocal.
The Sigma was better than the original G Master
because the old G Master wouldn't keep focus
between different focal lengths where the Sigma did.
Unfortunately, this new G Master still has that issue,
focusing at one end of the zoom range
and then zooming to the other will cause you to lose focus.
Now, autofocus can help compensate for this obviously
but for manual focus, that's a concern.
The Sigma also beat the old G Master when it came
to minimum focusing distance and reproduction ratio.
But the new G Master has come back to surpass the Sigma
in this regard at 70 millimeter.
The actual specific numbers,
at 70 millimeters it's 0.3 meters
or 0.99 feet minimum focusing distance.
And at 24 millimeters it's 0.21 meters or 0.69 feet.
Now you're gonna get a better reproduction
at 70 millimeters.
Now regarding focus breathing.
I didn't see a huge difference
between the older and newer version of this lens.
Perhaps this was an area where they didn't feel needed
much improvement.
Both do seem quite usable.
Although the more I look at it,
the original lens might actually have less breathing.
But it's minor regardless.
Overall, they aren't perfect but the breathing is minimized.
This was using the a1 by the way
which doesn't have that breathing compensation
of the a74, But this is my monthly reminder to Sony
that I'd like to see that added in firmware please,
as I'm a bit disappointed about the continued lack
of this feature as an owner of your apparent flagship camera.
Now moving over to autofocus,
This lens is now using Sony's latest
and greatest focus motors,
The Linear XDs,
where the previous lens was using their older tech.
However, anyone who's used the previous G Master knows
that for most purposes,
it still focused quite quickly and reliably.
So did the Sigma for that matter.
So I found it quite difficult to notice a huge difference
when using this new lens.
It is a bit snappier when going from minimum to maximum
and it is a bit quieter as well
but these differences are minor and generally speaking,
people aren't buying this lens for birding or sports,
it's more for portraits, weddings, travel
or just general walking around.
And for all those purposes,
any of these lenses will do in my opinion.
But yes, this new lens is the best.
I just can't guarantee that you'll notice.
As for video, pretty much the same deal,
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All right.
Now regarding image quality
this new G Master lens is the sharpest.
In the center all three
of these lenses are strong performers
but the older G Master really starts to soften
as you move out toward the edge of the frame.
The Sigma was better in this regard
but now the new G Master is the best.
You're gonna see the biggest improvement going
from the old G Master to the new
and only minor improvements if you're considering upgrading
from the Sigma.
Color rendering on the new lens is essentially perfect
and it's more neutral than the Sigma,
which did tend to lean a bit warmer.
But the new lens matches quite well
with the other G Masters, including the older 24-70.
The biggest disappointment for me was chromatic aberration.
It's not that it's bad.
It's just that it really isn't improved that much.
Perhaps there's some limit in optics when it comes
to making a 24-70 f/2.8 lens,
because I've yet to find one for Sony E
that doesn't have at least some issues
with chromatic aberration.
It is improved, which is great,
but it's only about 30% better
than the other two lenses I've been discussing.
Sony's other recent G Masters,
including the new 70-200 have this issue mostly licked.
So it must be hard to remove on this particular focal range
as you do still get some color fringing laterally
albeit to a lesser extent than the previous lenses.
This type of aberration can mostly be removed in post
but you also get some longitudinal fringing as well
which can only be reduced by stopping down.
So I can't really call this a deal breaker
because this is the best you're gonna get
from a 24-70 for Sony E
but I do wish it was a little bit better
and it makes me wonder how Tamron was able
to solve this problem on their newer 35-150.
But then again, that lens is almost incomparably larger.
In the bokeh category, the new G Master wins again.
All three of these lenses are solid,
but you'll get the best results with the new lens.
Smooth circles that mostly maintain
their shape out toward the edges.
But even when stopping down,
the iris maintains a very circular appearance,
which is great.
Transitions to autofocus areas are very smooth and pleasing
and detail is maintained where important,
when close focusing,
without compromising those focus transitions.
And like you'd expect from a G Master,
flare is very well controlled
and contrast is maintained even in harsh conditions.
And finally, here's the sun when stopped down
for use sun star official autos.
Okay, let's wrap up.
I've already made a comparison video
of the 24-70 options when the big choices were
the original G Master, the Sigma and the Tamron 28-75.
And from that point on
I was using and recommending the Sigma.
Not only did it manage to beat the old G Master
in several key categories, but it was significantly cheaper.
And it wasn't any bigger or heavier.
So it was kind of a no-brainer in my opinion.
The main drawback to the Sigma,
which I didn't know at that time, was
that apparently some batches had issues
with dust getting in between the elements.
Now, I never had that problem
but I know it did make some people pay extra
for the G Master just to get that better weather sealing.
But other than that, the Sigma was a slam dunk.
Well now it gets complicated
because this news Sony lens has an answer
to pretty much all the Sigma's previous advantages
except for one, price.
This new G Master is sharper,
has better overall image quality, focuses better,
has more controls and most notably,
is significantly smaller and lighter.
And while I haven't tested to say it for sure,
I'm predicting you'll get that improved weather sealing
and likely won't have any dust issues
like you might have had with the Sigma.
It isn't parfocal
which is something that the Sigma still prevails at.
But other than that, it's just a better lens.
However, the Sigma is $1,100 US
at the time of recording this
and this new G Master I'm told is gonna be $2,300.
So more than double the price.
Is this new G Master more than double
the optical quality of the Sigma?
No, not even close.
I'd say if you were going on image quality,
this new Sony is worth $200 to $300 more than the Sigma.
But the build quality and size and weight
are the tricky factors here.
I have no idea how much you personally value those aspects.
And it's those aspects that make this lens more impressive.
That it managed to still be 15% better
while reducing the size and weight so much.
So if the most in important factor to you
is handling or equipment load,
then you're definitely getting your money's worth
with this new lens.
But if not
then it might be a little bit harder to justify.
Overall, it's a great lens.
And I like it a lot.
And if money is no concern, buy this one.
But I wouldn't rush to upgrade
if you already own one of these other two lenses
and it wouldn't be my first value choice
which is still the Sigma, unless again,
I really needed that size and weight reduction.
So in the end, I obviously can't determine the priorities
of every user, but I hope this information was helpful
in your decision making process.
Alright... I'm done.