Sony G Master SEL2470GM 24-70mm
A 22% weight reduction to just 695g makes this the lightest f/2.8 standard zoom in its class, paired with four XD Linear Motors for near-instant autofocus. Its Nano AR Coating II effectively suppresses flare and ghosting for exceptional clarity, while the 0.32x maximum magnification adds versatile close-up capability. This lens is best for landscape and travel photographers who need a rugged, weather-sealed workhorse without the bulk.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II is one of the sharpest, fastest-focusing standard zooms we've ever tested. It's lighter than the original and delivers best-in-class autofocus. It's pricey and lacks stabilization, but if you're a Sony pro who needs the best, this is it.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Razor-sharp across the frame even at f/2.8. 98th
- Autofocus is near-instant and dead silent. 98th
- Significantly lighter and more compact than the original. 89th
- Weather-sealed build handles rough conditions. 80th
Cons
- Bokeh is fine but won't blow you away.
- No optical stabilization built in.
- The plastic lens hood feels cheap for this price.
- Quality control issues like dust ingress pop up in user reports.
What owners think
The Word on the Street
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
- Q2 202663/100
Buyers praise the lens's sharpness, weight, and image quality, but a delayed delivery and high cost are concerns.
- Lens is sharp, fast, and reliable with great autofocus and image quality, but expensive.
- One buyer reported a 20-day delivery delay that caused missed a family event.
- Lighter than expected, travels and handles well.
- Versatile for both photo and video, considered a must-have.
- Q1 202691/100
Buyers in Q1 2026 praised the lens for exceptional sharpness, fast autofocus, lighter weight, and versatile performance across photo and video. A few noted high price and noticeable weight as drawbacks.
- Exceptional sharpness, autofocus, color rendition, and build quality praised across all reviews.
- Lighter and more compact than previous version, improving balance and portability.
- Versatile for portraits, landscapes, travel, events, and video work.
- High price and still considerable weight noted as drawbacks by some users.
- Q4 2025100/100
Buyers praise the camera's image quality, ease of use, and robust build. The 24-70mm lens is lauded for sharpness, versatility, and bokeh. One user notes the 60-120p crop as a minor drawback.
- Image quality is immaculate straight out of the box; lens sharpness is outstanding.
- Build feels robust and premium, not plasticky, justifying the price.
- Lens is versatile for portraits, landscapes, events; excellent bokeh and fast aperture.
- One user dislikes the crop at 60-120p but finds full-frame stunning overall.
- Q3 202585/100
Buyers praise sharpness and versatile use for event shooting, with one noting preference over primes but keeping them for travel.
- Outstanding sharpness, especially for Sony a7cII users.
- One user prefers zoom over primes for events but keeps primes for EDC.
- Versatile all-around lens, go-to for general use.
- High quality build and love for the lens.
- Q2 202575/100
Buyers praised the Sony Alpha 7 IV camera and a flexible, sharp lens, but one lens had repeated quality defects requiring repair.
- Camera delivers outstanding image quality, fast autofocus, and impressive video capabilities.
- Lens is sharp, flexible, and lightweight, making it a great all-round performer.
- Lens had optical alignment issues out of spec, requiring replacement of multiple assemblies.
- Camera has excellent ergonomics, build quality, and weather sealing for tough conditions.
- Q1 202586/100
Buyers praise the Sony 24-70mm GM II lens for its sharpness, fast autofocus, and build quality. A few express frustration with Sony's lack of upgrade incentives for the newer model.
- Exceptional sharpness and image quality, exceeding expectations for a zoom lens.
- Fast and reliable autofocus, suitable for both photography and videography.
- Premium build, weather sealing, and lightweight design enhance usability.
- Frustration over Sony not offering trade-in or incentive for the Mark II upgrade.
- Q4 202488/100
Buyers praise the Sony Alpha 7 IV and 24-70mm lens for excellent image quality, sharpness, and autofocus, though some note weight and one reports poor customer service.
- Exceptional image sharpness, clarity, and lifelike quality across multiple reviews.
- Lens weight noted as heavier than expected or compared to lighter alternatives like GM II.
- Excellent autofocus performance, especially in low light and for eye detection.
- One buyer reports poor Sony customer service, relying on YouTube for problem-solving.
- Q3 202478/100
Buyers praise sharpness, build quality, and ease of use, but one reports the lens falling apart with poor Sony support.
- Sharpness and image quality are outstanding, rivaling Leica lenses.
- Lightweight, compact, and easy to use, even for beginners.
- Versatile for events and general photography.
- One lens fell apart; Sony refused to address the issue.
- Q2 202470/100
Buyers praised the lens for its superb build, image quality, and versatility. However, a few reported defects and poor customer service experiences.
- Excellent build quality, image quality, and autofocus performance.
- Versatile for landscape, portrait, and wildlife photography.
- One lens arrived defective; replacement process was slow and frustrating.
- Cashback offer required cutting serial number from box, damaging resale value.
- Q1 2024100/100
Buyers in Q1 2024 praised the lens for exceptional sharpness, beautiful build quality, and lighter weight compared to the previous version.
- Exceptional sharpness across the zoom range, especially at 24-70mm.
- Lighter and more compact than the old version, improving balance on cameras like the a7r V.
- High build quality with smooth, quiet operation.
- Pleasing bokeh at 70mm and overall image quality.
- Q4 202392/100
Buyers praise this lens for sharpness, color, fast autofocus, and lighter build. One reports delivery delays but loves the lens.
- Exceptional image sharpness, color, and contrast across reviews.
- Fast, reliable autofocus and versatile for portraits, events, and video.
- Lighter and more compact than previous version, praised for handheld use.
- Delivery issues with Sony's courier; some find the lens pricey but worth it.
- Q3 202370/100
Buyers praise the lens's sharpness, fast autofocus, and compact design. Mixed feedback on price and packaging, with one report of poor shipping care.
- Sharp images and excellent autofocus performance, especially paired with A7RV.
- Compact, lightweight build ideal for all-day carry.
- Poor packaging by Adorama led to a damaged box.
- High price vs. competition; some find AF underwhelming on A9II.
- Q2 202386/100
Buyers praise sharpness, fast autofocus, and build quality. Some note distortion at 24mm and limited reach for general use.
- Sharp image quality and fast, accurate autofocus.
- Excellent build, lightweight, and ergonomic design.
- Distortion at 24mm requires correction; some find focal range limiting.
- Great for video and versatile for many shooting scenarios.
- Q1 202375/100
Buyers praise the lens's optics, autofocus, and size, but note copy variation and a financing fee complaint.
- Excellent optics, fast autofocus, and compact size praised.
- Copy variation: two copies needed to get a sharp one; left side softness.
- Adorama 0% financing plan has a hidden $9.95 monthly service fee.
- Outstanding performance at infinity and wide open, better than Sigma 24-70.
- Q4 202248/100
Mixed performance reviews: praised for photo quality and low-light use, but criticized for video focus hunting, an intermittent connection fault, and high repair cost.
- Good rendering, fast focus, excellent in low light.
- Noticeable focus shifts during video zooming; better options exist for video.
- Intermittent lens detection error causes dark viewfinder and won't focus.
- Very expensive repair cost from Sony ($600); one owner switching back to Canon.
- Q3 202294/100
Buyers praise the lens for being lighter, sharper, and faster than its predecessor, with excellent autofocus and bokeh. A few note the high price and one preferred the 24-105.
- Lighter and more compact than the previous model, reducing front-heaviness.
- Exceptional sharpness and fast autofocus across all focal lengths.
- Versatile for both photo and video, with silent operation and good bokeh.
- One buyer returned it, finding the 24-105 sharper and better value.
- Q2 2022100/100
All reviewers in Q2 2022 gave 5 stars, praising the lens's outstanding sharpness, superior performance as native Sony glass, and excellent video zoom.
- Exceptional image sharpness praised by all users.
- Native Sony lens outperforms adapted third-party alternatives.
- Easy to carry and fantastic zoom for video shooting.
- Highly satisfying experience for long-time hobbyist photographers.
- Q1 202260/100
Buyers praised image quality and sharpness, but one reported a catastrophic barrel failure that broke during use, leading to costly repairs and loss of trust.
- Excellent image quality, sharpness, and color rendering from wide open.
- Lens barrel broke during normal use, causing the lens to fall and requiring expensive repair.
- Large size and zoom extension are cumbersome on compact bodies, needing a battery grip.
- Quiet, smooth autofocus motor works well for both stills and video.
- Q4 202177/100
Most buyers praise the lens for its sharpness, autofocus, and versatility. A few report softness issues or find it heavy.
- Sharpness and image quality praised as top-tier by multiple users.
- Autofocus described as fast, amazing, and next-level.
- Versatile for travel, events, video, and all-around use.
- One user reports soft/grainy shots; possible defect suspected.
- Q3 2021100/100
All four reviews in Q3 2021 are positive, praising the lens as versatile and of great quality, with one noting its heaviness as expected.
- Lens is great quality and versatile
- Heavy weight mentioned but deemed acceptable
- Suggestion for future focus distance indicator
- Lens is a go-to choice for daily use
- Q2 202193/100
Buyers praise the lens for its sharpness, build quality, and versatility, with reliable autofocus and excellent color production. Some note minor issues with lens cap and focus adjustment needed in certain modes.
- Exceptional sharpness and image quality across all reviews.
- Solid, tank-like build quality and premium feel.
- Versatile 24-70mm focal length ideal for everyday use.
- Fast autofocus but may need manual adjustment depending on shooting mode.
- Q1 202194/100
Buyers praise the lens for outstanding optical quality, sharpness, and versatility across photography types, though note its heft on gimbals.
- Excellent image quality, sharpness, and clarity across various uses.
- Lens is heavy, requiring gimbal balancing adjustments.
- Versatile for video, food, real estate, weddings, landscapes, astro, events.
- Higher price but considered worth it; financing option recommended.
- Q4 202098/100
Buyers are extremely satisfied, describing the lens as super sharp, versatile for various photography needs, and boasting excellent build quality.
- Image quality and sharpness are praised repeatedly.
- Versatility across different photography styles is highlighted.
- Build quality and feel are described as excellent.
- Overall strong recommendation and satisfaction is expressed.
- Q3 202067/100
Buyers praised sharpness, contrast, and build quality but noted purple fringing, an F-stop issue causing out-of-focus problems, and high price.
- Excellent image quality: sharp, great contrast, and versatile for photography and cinema.
- Purple fringing is a recurring issue, especially in high contrast or low light, and hard to correct.
- F-stop reliability defect: one buyer reported out-of-focus issues, with warranty coverage disputed.
- High price noted, but lens considered worth it for most buyers; price drops frustrated some.
- Q1 202077/100
Buyers praised image quality, sharpness, and focus, but one reported autofocus blurring over 8 months and another noted heavy weight.
- Stunning image sharpness, bokeh, and flare resistance; superb for portraits and events.
- One buyer reported blurring images after 8 months, suspecting lens motor malfunction.
- Lens is big and heavy, not ideal for walk-around; clunky transition from Canon noted.
- Precise, sharp, rapid autofocus; custom hold button for eye AF suits portraiture.
- Q4 2019100/100
Buyers praised the lens for exceptional sharpness and image quality, especially on full-frame cameras. Some noted its weight and size but felt the results justified it.
- Exceptional sharpness on both APS-C and full-frame cameras
- Versatile for walk-around and architecture photography
- High overall image quality and glass performance
- Weight and size are downsides but justified by results
Based on 421 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Autofocus is stupid fast. We're talking 98th percentile in our database, which puts it among the absolute best right now. The four XD linear motors lock on instantly and track silently, so video shooters will be just as happy as stills photographers. Optically, it's a top-tier performer at 97th percentile. Sharpness is exceptional wide open at f/2.8 across the entire zoom range, and the Nano AR Coating II handles flare like a champ. The weak spot? Bokeh is middle of the pack at the 40th percentile. It's pleasant and smooth thanks to the 11-blade diaphragm, but don't expect the dreamy separation you'd get from a fast prime. And there's no stabilization here, which lands it in the bottom half of our rankings. If your body has IBIS you're fine, but it's worth knowing.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 24 |
| Focal Length Max | 70 |
| Elements | 20 |
| Groups | 15 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 |
| ED Elements | 4 |
| Coating | Nano AR Coating II and Fluorine Coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11 |
Build
| Mount | Sony E |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.7 kg / 1.5 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 82 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | XD Linear Motors |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 210 |
| Max Magnification | 0.32x |
vs Competition
The Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM is the most direct rival and it includes stabilization, which Sony skips. That's a real advantage for Canon shooters. The Tamron 18-300mm offers way more reach and costs less, but you sacrifice the constant f/2.8 aperture and that top-shelf optical quality. The Sigma 16-300mm is another superzoom competitor that prioritizes versatility over outright image quality. If you need one lens that does everything from wide landscapes to tight portraits with zero compromises in sharpness or autofocus, the Sony still leads the pack. But if you want stabilization or a lighter wallet, those other options are worth a hard look.
| Spec | Sony G Master SEL2470GM 24-70mm | Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD | Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 | Sigma Contemporary 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 | Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 24-70mm | 17-70mm | 17-28mm | 16-28mm | 12-60mm | 28-70mm |
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/22 |
| Mount | Sony E | Fujifilm X | Nikon Z | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Canon RF |
| Stabilization | false | true | false | false | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 695 | 544 | 450 | 450 | 320 | 495 |
| AF Type | XD Linear Motors | RXD | Stepping Motor | Stepping AF Motor | linear motor | STM |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony G Master SEL2470GM 24-70mm | 98.1 | 34.4 | 59.8 | 51.9 | 97.5 | 21 | 63.6 | 80 | 89.3 | 37.8 |
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Compare | 53.8 | 87.2 | 69.7 | 85.9 | 91 | 84.4 | 63.6 | 89.3 | 85.2 | 83.4 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare | 87.4 | 87.2 | 76 | 85.9 | 88 | 84.4 | 90.7 | 67.3 | 69.1 | 37.8 |
| Sigma Contemporary 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Compare | 87.4 | 87.2 | 76 | 77.8 | 97.2 | 84.4 | 75.8 | 67.9 | 63.1 | 37.8 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 Compare | 98.1 | 87.2 | 84.6 | 51.7 | 91 | 84.4 | 44.5 | 93.1 | 68.1 | 83.4 |
| Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM Compare | 87.4 | 24.1 | 72.8 | 80 | 86.2 | 21 | 98 | 76.8 | 89.3 | 98.6 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Let's be real, this lens is expensive. The price spread across vendors is wild, ranging from $1314 to $3596. If you can snag it at the lower end of that range, it's a solid investment for a working pro. At full retail near $3600, you're paying a serious premium for the Sony badge and that last 5% of performance. The value score sits at 77.8 out of 100, which is well above average for this category. It's not a bargain, but it's a tool that will earn its keep for years. Shop around and avoid paying anywhere near the top of that price range.
Read more
Overview
Sony took everything pros loved about the original 24-70mm GM and put it on a diet. The GM II is 22% lighter and noticeably smaller, which makes a real difference when it's glued to your camera all day. At 695g, it balances beautifully on modern Alpha bodies without feeling front-heavy. The constant f/2.8 aperture is still here, and the optical performance is basically flawless from corner to corner. This is the lens you grab when you can only bring one, and it needs to nail every single shot.
Common Questions
Q: Does this lens have image stabilization?
No, the lens itself does not have optical stabilization. It relies on the in-body stabilization (IBIS) of Sony Alpha cameras, which works well for most shooting situations.
Q: Is the f/2.8 aperture constant throughout the zoom range?
Yes, it maintains a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture from 24mm all the way to 70mm, which is great for consistent exposure and low-light shooting.
Q: How much lighter is this compared to the original version?
It's about 22% lighter and 18% smaller than the first-generation 24-70mm GM, weighing in at 695g. The difference is immediately noticeable on the camera.
Who Should Skip This
If you're a hobbyist or casual shooter, the price and weight are probably overkill. You'll get 90% of the performance from something like a Tamron zoom for half the cost. And if you shoot a lot of handheld video without a gimbal, the lack of lens stabilization might push you toward the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM instead.
Verdict
This is the standard zoom for Sony shooters who refuse to compromise on image quality or autofocus speed. Wedding photographers, event shooters, and anyone who needs a do-it-all workhorse will find it indispensable. The weight savings over the original make it viable for all-day use, and the optical performance is as good as it gets in a zoom. Just budget for it and maybe grab a third-party lens hood.
