Sony G Master FE 12-24mm f/2.8
The constant f/2.8 aperture across the 12-24mm range, combined with three XA elements for extreme corner-to-corner sharpness, sets this lens apart for ultra-wide shooting. Its dust and moisture-resistant construction and fluorine coating provide reliable field use, while the XD Linear Motor delivers fast, silent autofocus. This lens is best for landscape and architecture photographers who demand bright, distortion-free performance in challenging light.
Snapshot
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
- Q2 202695/100
Buyers praise the lens for sharpness, wide-angle performance, and versatility for astro and landscape. One reviewer notes edge fisheye effect and high price.
- Sharp, high-quality lens with excellent wide-angle capability.
- Great for astrophotography, landscape, and street photography.
- Edge fisheye effect at 12mm noted; some see it as negligible.
- One reviewer considers it too expensive.
- Q3 2023100/100
Buyers in Q3 2023 praised the lens as fantastic, satisfying, and great for wide-angle landscape and fireworks photography.
- Overall satisfaction and happiness with the purchase.
- Excellent lens quality described as fantastic.
- Great wide-angle performance for landscapes and fireworks.
- High portability and frequent use.
- Q1 2022100/100
Buyers in Q1 2022 praised the lens for sharpness, low-light performance, and minimal distortion. All reviews were 5-star, expressing high satisfaction.
- Exceptional sharpness and clarity, even in corners and low light.
- Minimal distortion or bending compared to other ultra-wide lenses.
- Excellent performance for night landscapes and filmmaking.
- High overall satisfaction, no regrets with purchase.
- Q2 2021100/100
Buyers praised the lens for its sharpness, fast autofocus, and minimal distortion, especially for landscape and storm photography.
- Exceptional sharpness and image quality across all reviews.
- Fast and accurate autofocus performance.
- Minimal distortion, excellent for wide-angle shots.
- Comparisons to older lenses imply demand for updated models.
- Q1 2021100/100
Buyers were delighted with the lens's sharpness, wide field of view, and suitability for real estate photography, despite its high price.
- Superb sharpness and clarity across the frame
- Excellent wide field of view
- Ideal for real estate photography
- Expensive but considered worth the cost
- Q3 202095/100
Buyers overwhelmingly praise the lens for its sharpness, wide aperture, and exceptional performance in real estate and astrophotography. Some note the high price and correctable distortion at 12mm.
- Exceptional sharpness and clarity, especially at f/2.8, day and night.
- Excellent for real estate interiors and landscape photography.
- Great for astrophotography with minimal coma distortion.
- High price; distortion at 12mm correctable in post.
Based on 66 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Wide-angle-zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 12 |
| Focal Length Max | 24 |
| Elements | 17 |
| Groups | 14 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4 |
| ED Elements | 5 |
| Coating | Nano AR Coating II |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Sony E |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 kg / 4.7 lbs |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | XD Linear Motor |
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 280 |
| Max Magnification | 1:7 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Sony G Master FE 12-24mm f/2.8 | 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 | Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-E08018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 12-24mm | 17-70mm | 17-28mm | 16-28mm | 28-70mm | 8-18mm |
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/22 | f/2.8 |
| Mount | Sony E | Fujifilm X | Nikon Z | Sony E | Canon RF | Micro Four Thirds |
| Stabilization | true | true | false | false | true | false |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 2145 | 544 | 450 | 450 | 495 | 315 |
| AF Type | XD Linear Motor | RXD | Stepping Motor | Stepping AF Motor | STM | Linear motor |
| Lens Type | wide-angle-zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony G Master FE 12-24mm f/2.8 | 98.1 | 87.1 | 3.5 | 74.5 | 98.5 | 84.3 | 71.4 | 3.4 | 83.3 |
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Compare | 53.8 | 87.1 | 69.9 | 85.8 | 91 | 84.3 | 89.3 | 85.6 | 83.3 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare | 87.4 | 87.1 | 76.2 | 85.8 | 88 | 84.3 | 67.3 | 70 | 37.7 |
| Sigma Contemporary 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Compare | 87.4 | 87.1 | 76.2 | 77.8 | 97.2 | 84.3 | 67.9 | 64.1 | 37.7 |
| Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM Compare | 87.4 | 24 | 73 | 80 | 86.2 | 20.9 | 76.8 | 89.5 | 98.6 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-E08018 Compare | 98.1 | 81.9 | 85.4 | 36.9 | 93.7 | 84.3 | 75 | 81.3 | 37.7 |
