Sony FE 24-70 mm f/2.8 GM § 03 Head to head
Sony FE 24-70 mm f/2.8 GM vs Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Sony 24–70mm f/2.8 is 191 g lighter.
Both lenses are made for the Sony E mount: the Sony FE 24-70 mm f/2.8 GM is a 24–70mm f/2.8 zoom, and the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is a 24–70mm f/2.8 zoom. On paper the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II comes out ahead, 6 advantages to 0, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Sony FE 24-70 mm f/2.8 GM 
Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II 01
Key differences
Why is the Sony FE 24-70 mm f/2.8 GM better than the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II?
No measurable advantage on paper.
Why is the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II better than the Sony FE 24-70 mm f/2.8 GM?
- 191 g lighter (695 g vs 886 g)
- 16 mm shorter (119.9 mm vs 136 mm long)
- Focuses 17 cm closer (0.21 m vs 0.38 m)
- Has a physical aperture ring
- More aperture blades (11 vs 9)
- Newer design (2022 vs 2016)
02
Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has the edge: it is 191 g lighter to carry.
- architecture For architecture, the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has the edge: it is 191 g lighter to carry.
- street For street photography, the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has the edge: it is 191 g lighter to carry.
- travel For travel, the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has the edge: it is 191 g lighter to carry.
03
Specification
| Specification | Sony FE 24-70 mm f/2.8 GM | Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 24–70mm | 24–70mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Zoom lens | Standard zoom lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full Frame |
| Weight | 886 g (31.25 oz) | 695 g (24.6 oz) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 136 x 87.6 mm | 87.8 mm (diameter) x 119.9 mm (length) |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.38 m (14.96 inches) | 0.21 m (8.3 in) at 24mm; 0.3 m (11.8 in) at 70mm ◆ |
| Maximum magnification | — | 0.32x |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Weather sealing | Yes | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No | Yes |
| Aperture blades | 9 | 11 (rounded) ◆ |
| Optical construction | 18 elements / 13 groups | 20 elements in 15 groups, including two XA (extreme aspherical), two ED (extra-low dispersion), and two Super ED elements |
| Filter size | 82 mm | 82 mm |
| Lens mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Released | 2016 | 2022 |
04
Size
- A · Sony
- B · Sony
- 136 × 87.6 mm
- 119.9 × 87.8 mm
The Sony FE 24-70 mm f/2.8 GM is 16 mm longer and 191 g heavier than the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II.
05
Sample frames
Sony FE 24-70 mm f/2.8 GM
Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
06
Video reviews
07
Questions
- Which is lighter, the Sony FE 24-70 mm f/2.8 GM or the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II?
- The Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II weighs 695 g, 191 g less than the Sony FE 24-70 mm f/2.8 GM (886 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Sony FE 24-70 mm f/2.8 GM or the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II?
- The Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II focuses down to 0.21 m, against 0.38 m for the Sony FE 24-70 mm f/2.8 GM.
- Do the Sony FE 24-70 mm f/2.8 GM and the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the Sony FE 24-70 mm f/2.8 GM or the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has the edge: it is 191 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Sony FE 24-70 mm f/2.8 GM or the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has the edge: it is 191 g lighter to carry.
08