Sony is bolstering its mirrorless camera system with a new lens, the FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM. It's a professional-grade zoom with coverage that's squarely ultra-wide, and is the only one of its type to also offer an f/2.8 aperture. It's capable of capturing the same epic views as the FE 12-24mm F4 G, but gathering twice as much light, and, according to Sony, offering better overall optics to boot. It's a member of the premium G Master line, the company's highest class of lens. Sony touts its excellent edge-to-edge resolution, minimal distortion, and premium build. Wide-angle lenses are a favorite for landscape specialists, and this one is built for use in any weather, and includes fluorine protection to help keep its big front element free of smudges and debris. At 5.4 by 3.8 inches (HD) and 1.9 pounds, it's a little bit bigger and heavier than the 12-24mm F4 G (4.6 by 3.5 inches, 1.2 pounds), but it also gathers twice the light. It ships with a soft case, a standard rear cap, a slip-o...

It's only a little hyperbolic to say that the Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM ($2,999.99) is a special lens, one that's simply unavailable for other camera systems. There are other full-frame zooms that cover as broad an angle, but none gather as much light as this F2.8 zoom. It's not just about the f-stop—the lens is good enough to use with the highest-resolution cameras, focuses quickly, and is made for all-weather shooting. It's a tool for the most demanding photographers, and worth every penny of its asking price, earning our Editors' Choice award. If you can't spend this much, think about the $1,699.99 Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G or the $1,199 Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art, both excellent optics in their own right.Extremely Aspheric Despite its ambitious design specifications, the FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM isn't at all unwieldy. It's a little big for a zoom at 5.4 by 3.8 inches (HW), and at 1.9 pounds a little heavier than most cameras with which you'll use it. It's only a little larger than the Si...

Sony's FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM lens capture wide views with stunning detail, even on high-resolution cameras. It's a rewarding tool for photographers that can afford its high price.

Ultra-wide angle of view; F2.8 aperture; Dust, splash, and fluorine protection; Reasonably sized; Fast, accurate autofocus; Rear filter support

No aperture ring; Shows some focus breathing; Doesn't support front filters; Expensive

Intro; Size and design; Distortion; Sunstars; Chromatic aberrations and LoCA; Bokeh; Autofocus; Fall-off; Sharpness; Video capability; Is it worth the price?;

Intro; Size and design; Distortion; Sunstars; Chromatic aberrations and LoCA; Bokeh; Autofocus; Fall-off; Sharpness; Video capability; Is it worth the price?;

The Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM is the new benchmark standard zoom for Sony's full-frame camera range, but it's also an incredibly expensive lens too, almost rivalling the equivalent Canon and Nikon optics in terms of price.

Michael Topham reviews Sony's professional-grade standard zoom for the full-frame FE mount

Zoom lenses do have strengths and weaknesses in their performance, but there is little to complain about with this Sony G Master. Any sacrifice in the bald figures is more than made up for with the convenience and versatility a zoom lens represents, and there are precious few sacrifices.

A 24-70mm f2.8 zoom lens is the workhorse for many professional photographers and aspiring amateurs alike. And no camera system is competitive without such a lens delivering very good optical quality.

(24mm, F2.8, 1/60, ISO 100) As a standard zoom lens, the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM is certainly top notch. It doesn't have that charisma of the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 or the Sony 85mm F1.4 GM that you immediately see as soon as you take your first shot.

Excellent image quality Fast, precise and quiet AF Nice handling Great build Constant aperture Weather sealing Super versatile

Steep price tag Ok bokeh Slightly heavy and long

When we first heard news of the FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM, we knew it was a lens that had great promise. After extensive testing, both in the field and the lab, I’m pleased to report it’s exceptionally sharp and has been optimised by Sony’s engineers to resolve sensational detail in combination with Alpha...

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM is a Fixed aperture Auto Focus (AF) Standard Zoom lens with 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with E Mount cameras. Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM was replaced with Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II.

Weather-sealed, Autofocus, AF/MF Switch on Lens, Focus Hold Button, Breathing Correction with Supported Cameras, Hood supplied, Full-time Manual Focusing, Zoom Lock, Fast Aperture at Wide end, Fast Aperture at Tele end, Constant f2.8 aperture throughout the range, Covers Full-Frame Sensor, 9...

Weather-sealed, Autofocus, AF/MF Switch on Lens, Focus Hold Button, Breathing Correction with Supported Cameras, Hood supplied, Full-time Manual Focusing, Zoom Lock, Fast Aperture at Wide end, Fast Aperture at Tele end, Constant f2.8 aperture throughout the range, Covers Full-Frame Sensor, 9...