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Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II vs Sony FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar T

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Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Standard Zoom | Sony E

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
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Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS

Standard Zoom | Sony E

Sony FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar T
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BUY from B&H PHOTO

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II vs Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II for the E Mount and Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS for the E Mount, two Standard Zoom lenses by Sony. Both lenses have the same focal range of 24-70mm but different max apertures: Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has a max aperture of F2.8 while the Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS has a max aperture of F4.0.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II Key Specs

  • 24-70mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 82mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 695g.
  • Diameter: 88mm
  • Length: 120mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.21m
  • Max Magnification:0.32x

Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS Key Specs

  • 24-70mm Focal Range
  • F4.0 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 426g.
  • Diameter: 73mm
  • Length: 95mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.4m
  • Max Magnification:0.2x

What type of photography are the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II and Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II and the Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS
Bird/WildlifeFairFair
SportsAverageFair
PortraitVery GoodGood
TravelVery GoodGood
StreetVery GoodGood
WeddingVery GoodGood
Walk AroundVery GoodVery Good
VloggingVery GoodGood
LandscapeVery GoodVery Good
MacroAverageFair

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is the longer of the two lenses at 120mm. The Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS with a length of 95mm is 25mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II also has a larger diameter of 88mm compared to Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS's 73mm diameter.

Below you can find the scaled side by side image of Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II and Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS to get a better idea of how their size compare in real life.

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II vs Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS Lens Size Comparison
Comparison image of Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II and Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS Size and Weight

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS weighs 426g, 38% (269g) lighter than the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II's weight of 695g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the 'Standard Zoom Lenses in Sony E Mount for size comparison purposes.

Standard Zoom Lenses in Sony E Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS Lens Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS
113mm
83mm 663g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM Lens Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM
136mm
88mm 886g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 24-70 F2.8 DG DN Art Lens Sigma 24-70 F2.8 DG DN Art
123mm
88mm 835g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III RXD Lens Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III
117mm
73mm 550g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC
119mm
75mm 525g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G Lens Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G
100mm
73mm 494g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS Lens Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS
30mm
65mm 116g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Lens Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
83mm
73mm 295g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II and Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS has the same Sony E lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony E lenses are Sony A7R V, Sony FX30 and Sony A7 IV.

Focal Range

Both lenses have the same focal range of 24-70mm but while Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has the fastest aperture of F2.8, the Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS's widest aperture value is F4.0.

Reasons to choose Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II over Sony FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar T

Max Aperture - Wide 2.8 vs 4 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 2.8 vs 4 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades 11 vs 7 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Aperture Ring Yes vs No able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Minimum Focus Distance 0.21m vs 0.4m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.32x vs 0.2x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Sony FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar T over Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Image Stabilization Yes vs No Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Weight 426g vs 695g 269g lighter
Diameter 73mm vs 88mm 15mm smaller in diameter
Length 95mm vs 120mm 25mm shorter
Filter Thread 67mm vs 82mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find

Common Strengths of Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II and Sony FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar T
Internal Focusing Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Weather Sealing Yes vs Yes safer to use under rain and dust
Common Weaknesses of Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II and Sony FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar T
Internal Zoom No vs No Length of the lens changes during zooming
Distance Scale No vs No No Distance Scale assist


**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II vs Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Sony Sony
Lens Type Zoom Zoom
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Standard Zoom Standard Zoom
Lens Mount Sony E Sony E
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 24-70mm 24-70mm
Image Stabilization No Yes
Colour Black Black
Zoom Method Rotary (extending) Rotary (internal)
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 2.9X 2.9X
Aperture
Max Aperture F2.8 F4.0
Min Aperture F22.0 F22.0
Aperture Ring Yes No
Diaphragm Blades 11 7
Optics
Optical Elements 20 12
Optical Groups 15 10
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.21m 0.4m
Max Magnification 0.32X 0.2X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Linear Motor Stepper motor
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale No No
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale No No
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 695g 426g
Diameter 88mm 73mm
Length 120mm 95mm
Materials - All-metal construction
Weather Sealing Yes Yes
Filter Thread 82mm 67mm
Filter Notes Lens hood has opening for adjusting circular polarizers and variable ND filters -
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code ALC-SH168 ALC-SH130
Tripod Collar No No
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