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

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...

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.

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.

Sony's marketing made some pretty aggressive statements at the time of the announcement of their new GM lineup. The Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM is the first GM lens that we tested here and while we are impressed by the quality, it didn't really blow off our socks either.

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...

The Sony G Master range is described as a “supreme blend of high resolution and beautiful bokeh” which will match current and even future trends with high resolution sensors. This is a very desirable combination of properties if it can be achieved, especially with such a useful, bright f/2.8...

I knew right from the start that reviewing this lens would not be an easy task. Would I end up rejecting it because of its size and weight or would I transcend the “mirrorless camera = small” concept and appreciate the qualities it has to offer? I admit that it is a tough call.

(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

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.