This exceptional 50 mm F1.2 G Master with fixed focal length leaves nothing to be desired and shines with ultra-fast autofocus and fantastic G Master bokeh. With the F1.2 aperture, high-resolution images can be achieved even in low light. There are no limits to creativity with this compact, lightweight lens. XA elements (Extreme Aspherical) and other modern technologies enable high-resolution, high-contrast images - from the centre to the edge. Sony's AR Nano Coating II prevents ghosting and flare effects and the floating focus mechanism ensures optimum sharpness at any focus distance. XA elements and the precise correction of spherical aberrations in design and manufacture result in the beautiful bokeh typical of G Master. Above all, the shallow depth of field at F1.2 aperture is ideal for portraits or the cropping of other subjects. A circular aperture mechanism with 11 blades contributes to a beautiful circular bokeh. Even with the extremely shallow depth of field at 50 mm F1.2, AF is fast and precise. Four XD (eXtreme Dynamic) linear motors control the large, heavy focus groups of the AF quickly and precisely. For both stills and video, the original technology of Sony's E-mount lenses maximises the performance of E-mount cameras. The three XA elements and four XD linear motors of this fast, amazingly compact lens open up many creative possibilities. Two focus hold buttons, a focus adjustment switch, an aperture ring with switchable click-stop click-stop diaphragm and other elements facilitate handling. The focus hold buttons can be assigned differently via the camera. The focus ring enables linear manual focussing. Dust and moisture protection1 and the fluorine coating on the front element ensure greater reliability.
This exceptional 50 mm F1.2 G Master with fixed focal length leaves nothing to be desired and shines with ultra-fast autofocus and fantastic G Master bokeh. With the F1.2 aperture, high-resolution images can be achieved even in low light. There are no limits to creativity with this compact, lightweight lens. XA elements (Extreme Aspherical) and other modern technologies enable high-resolution, high-contrast images - from the centre to the edge. Sony's AR Nano Coating II prevents ghosting and flare effects and the floating focus mechanism ensures optimum sharpness at any focus distance. XA elements and the precise correction of spherical aberrations in design and manufacture result in the beautiful bokeh typical of G Master. Above all, the shallow depth of field at F1.2 aperture is ideal for portraits or the cropping of other subjects. A circular aperture mechanism with 11 blades contributes to a beautiful circular bokeh. Even with the extremely shallow depth of field at 50 mm F1.2, AF is fast and precise. Four XD (eXtreme Dynamic) linear motors control the large, heavy focus groups of the AF quickly and precisely. For both stills and video, the original technology of Sony's E-mount lenses maximises the performance of E-mount cameras. The three XA elements and four XD linear motors of this fast, amazingly compact lens open up many creative possibilities. Two focus hold buttons, a focus adjustment switch, an aperture ring with switchable click-stop click-stop diaphragm and other elements facilitate handling. The focus hold buttons can be assigned differently via the camera. The focus ring enables linear manual focussing. Dust and moisture protection1 and the fluorine coating on the front element ensure greater reliability.
This exceptional 50 mm F1.2 G Master with fixed focal length leaves nothing to be desired and shines with ultra-fast autofocus and fantastic G Master bokeh. With the F1.2 aperture, high-resolution images can be achieved even in low light. There are no limits to creativity with this compact, lightweight lens. XA elements (Extreme Aspherical) and other modern technologies enable high-resolution, high-contrast images - from the centre to the edge. Sony's AR Nano Coating II prevents ghosting and flare effects and the floating focus mechanism ensures optimum sharpness at any focus distance. XA elements and the precise correction of spherical aberrations in design and manufacture result in the beautiful bokeh typical of G Master. Above all, the shallow depth of field at F1.2 aperture is ideal for portraits or the cropping of other subjects. A circular aperture mechanism with 11 blades contributes to a beautiful circular bokeh. Even with the extremely shallow depth of field at 50 mm F1.2, AF is fast and precise. Four XD (eXtreme Dynamic) linear motors control the large, heavy focus groups of the AF quickly and precisely. For both stills and video, the original technology of Sony's E-mount lenses maximises the performance of E-mount cameras. The three XA elements and four XD linear motors of this fast, amazingly compact lens open up many creative possibilities. Two focus hold buttons, a focus adjustment switch, an aperture ring with switchable click-stop click-stop diaphragm and other elements facilitate handling. The focus hold buttons can be assigned differently via the camera. The focus ring enables linear manual focussing. Dust and moisture protection1 and the fluorine coating on the front element ensure greater reliability.
This exceptional 50 mm F1.2 G Master with fixed focal length leaves nothing to be desired and shines with ultra-fast autofocus and fantastic G Master bokeh. With the F1.2 aperture, high-resolution images can be achieved even in low light. There are no limits to creativity with this compact, lightweight lens. XA elements (Extreme Aspherical) and other modern technologies enable high-resolution, high-contrast images - from the centre to the edge. Sony's AR Nano Coating II prevents ghosting and flare effects and the floating focus mechanism ensures optimum sharpness at any focus distance. XA elements and the precise correction of spherical aberrations in design and manufacture result in the beautiful bokeh typical of G Master. Above all, the shallow depth of field at F1.2 aperture is ideal for portraits or the cropping of other subjects. A circular aperture mechanism with 11 blades contributes to a beautiful circular bokeh. Even with the extremely shallow depth of field at 50 mm F1.2, AF is fast and precise. Four XD (eXtreme Dynamic) linear motors control the large, heavy focus groups of the AF quickly and precisely. For both stills and video, the original technology of Sony's E-mount lenses maximises the performance of E-mount cameras. The three XA elements and four XD linear motors of this fast, amazingly compact lens open up many creative possibilities. Two focus hold buttons, a focus adjustment switch, an aperture ring with switchable click-stop click-stop diaphragm and other elements facilitate handling. The focus hold buttons can be assigned differently via the camera. The focus ring enables linear manual focussing. Dust and moisture protection1 and the fluorine coating on the front element ensure greater reliability.
Last updated at 06/09/2026 00:17:43
2ND HAND - Sony FE 50mm f1.2 GM
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Sony FE 50mm f1.2 GM Lens Ø72mm
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Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM Lens | 3 XA Aspherical Elements | 14 ED Elements | Dust & Moisture-Resistant | 11-Blade Diaphragm
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Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM Prime Lens
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Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM Lens
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Sony Fe 50mm F1.2 Gm Lens -
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originally posted on bhphotovideo.com
The problem with the Sony GM lens series is that once you've tried one, you'll want the others. This lens replaced my Sigma 24-70 2.8 Art series lens which I will admit was an absolutely terrific lens and for less than half the price. So what does this beauty provide for all those extra dollars?For me, a relatively important sticking point with the Sigma was its persistent reverse rotation zooming direction when compared to the industry norm. When one has three zooms and one turns in the opposite direction of the others, this gets to be a real irritant! Just can't understand Sigma in this regard.The other points that led me to the new Sony were weight and the presence of an aperture ring on the lens barrel. Used to think this aperture thing was a tad gimmicky, ... MoreThe problem with the Sony GM lens series is that once you've tried one, you'll want the others. This lens replaced my Sigma 24-70 2.8 Art series lens which I will admit was an absolutely terrific lens and for less than half the price. So what does this beauty provide for all those extra dollars?For me, a relatively important sticking point with the Sigma was its persistent reverse rotation zooming direction when compared to the industry norm. When one has three zooms and one turns in the opposite direction of the others, this gets to be a real irritant! Just can't understand Sigma in this regard.The other points that led me to the new Sony were weight and the presence of an aperture ring on the lens barrel. Used to think this aperture thing was a tad gimmicky, but after living with it on two other lenses, it's now a norm for me. The lower weight of this lens is a no-brainer. All my future lenses will have this feature.The only downside: cost; but that's an economic issue, not photographic!.
originally posted on bhphotovideo.com
Optically speaking, the image quality for this lens is consistently sharp, even on higher-resolving bodies like the A7R IV and A1. You will not be disappointed by image quality at any focal length.As for video - it's great, but could be improved in future iterations. It has some focus breathing on the wide end, but virtually none on the telephoto side. Focusing is snappy and responsive, which makes it reliable for run-and-gun shoots. However, the one drawback for this lens is that it is NOT par-focal, so you will have to rely on the AF for those zoom shots.Build quality is great, and has all the bells and whistles you could ask for. An acceptable weight for a lens of this class (the lightest 24-70mm f2.8 for the Sony E-mount! Yes there is the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 ... MoreOptically speaking, the image quality for this lens is consistently sharp, even on higher-resolving bodies like the A7R IV and A1. You will not be disappointed by image quality at any focal length.As for video - it's great, but could be improved in future iterations. It has some focus breathing on the wide end, but virtually none on the telephoto side. Focusing is snappy and responsive, which makes it reliable for run-and-gun shoots. However, the one drawback for this lens is that it is NOT par-focal, so you will have to rely on the AF for those zoom shots.Build quality is great, and has all the bells and whistles you could ask for. An acceptable weight for a lens of this class (the lightest 24-70mm f2.8 for the Sony E-mount! Yes there is the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 that is smaller and even lighter, but optically it isn't as strong and starts at 28mm. After a full day of shooting, my wrists and back don't hurt since this is light for this class of lens.All in all, I love this lens, and will use it for all my professional (and maybe even casual) shoots.
originally posted on bhphotovideo.com
I held back on selling my four year-old Sony 24-70 GM I to do a side-by-side comparison with the new II. In my first full day with the GM II, here's what I found. I'm a pro commercial / portrait and journalistic photographer - I do not shoot weddings. That's just for background and my lens use only.The new lens is a bit lighter - but that's really not that noticeable in my use. If you shoot weddings, lighter is certainly better.I really did see that both the color depth and the sharpness on the new lens is definitely more that a bit "crisper." No distortion at all. None.The most noticeable (and most welcome!) improvement on the new lens is the speed and accuracy of the autofocus. Beyond quiet - and no focus hunting at all. I found that the first version focus ... MoreI held back on selling my four year-old Sony 24-70 GM I to do a side-by-side comparison with the new II. In my first full day with the GM II, here's what I found. I'm a pro commercial / portrait and journalistic photographer - I do not shoot weddings. That's just for background and my lens use only.The new lens is a bit lighter - but that's really not that noticeable in my use. If you shoot weddings, lighter is certainly better.I really did see that both the color depth and the sharpness on the new lens is definitely more that a bit "crisper." No distortion at all. None.The most noticeable (and most welcome!) improvement on the new lens is the speed and accuracy of the autofocus. Beyond quiet - and no focus hunting at all. I found that the first version focus hunted in lower light situations and had focus motor noise. Not really annoying, but it was definitely there. The new focus speed (which is instantaneous) and the complete silence will be welcome indoors during commercial and photojournalism shoots. My wedding pro friends will certainly appreciate the quiet and the much better low light focus performance.The continuous focus keeps up with my a1 at 30 fps. The previous version did not. Not even close. Big plus.Is it worth replacing your first version? That's a decision based upon if the faster and quieter focus is worth it to your work flow. For me, it really is. If you do not already have version 1 of the 24-70 and you are looking at the price difference - get version II. You won't second guess the decision.Are the version II improvements in the 24-70 equal to the improvements in the new 70-200 f/2.8 GM II? Probably not - but in that case, the new smaller size and weight in the 70-200 really matter. In this case, the rather modest size and weight shaves are just a small added bonus to a great new lens.Short answer: Outstanding glass. Get it.
| Viewing angle | 47 ° |
| Camera brands compatibility | Sony |
| Auto focus | Y |
| Manual focus | Y |
| Maximum magnification | 0.17 x |
2ND HAND - Sony FE 50mm f1.2 GM
Delivery between Thu – Mon $10
Sony FE 50mm f1.2 GM Lens Ø72mm
Delivery between Thu – Mon $10
Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM Lens | 3 XA Aspherical Elements | 14 ED Elements | Dust & Moisture-Resistant | 11-Blade Diaphragm
Delivery $9.90
Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM Prime Lens
Delivery between 11–16 June $12.90
Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM Lens
Delivery between 15–17 June $8.95
The problem with the Sony GM lens series is that once you've tried one, you'll want the others. This lens replaced my Sigma 24-70 2.8 Art series lens which I will admit was an absolutely terrific lens and for less than half the price. So what does this beauty provide for all those extra dollars?For me, a relatively important sticking point with the Sigma was its persistent reverse rotation zooming direction when compared to the industry norm. When one has three zooms and one turns in the opposite direction of the others, this gets to be a real irritant! Just can't understand Sigma in this regard.The other points that led me to the new Sony were weight and the presence of an aperture ring on the lens barrel. Used to think this aperture thing was a tad gimmicky, ... MoreThe problem with the Sony GM lens series is that once you've tried one, you'll want the others. This lens replaced my Sigma 24-70 2.8 Art series lens which I will admit was an absolutely terrific lens and for less than half the price. So what does this beauty provide for all those extra dollars?For me, a relatively important sticking point with the Sigma was its persistent reverse rotation zooming direction when compared to the industry norm. When one has three zooms and one turns in the opposite direction of the others, this gets to be a real irritant! Just can't understand Sigma in this regard.The other points that led me to the new Sony were weight and the presence of an aperture ring on the lens barrel. Used to think this aperture thing was a tad gimmicky, but after living with it on two other lenses, it's now a norm for me. The lower weight of this lens is a no-brainer. All my future lenses will have this feature.The only downside: cost; but that's an economic issue, not photographic!.
Optically speaking, the image quality for this lens is consistently sharp, even on higher-resolving bodies like the A7R IV and A1. You will not be disappointed by image quality at any focal length.As for video - it's great, but could be improved in future iterations. It has some focus breathing on the wide end, but virtually none on the telephoto side. Focusing is snappy and responsive, which makes it reliable for run-and-gun shoots. However, the one drawback for this lens is that it is NOT par-focal, so you will have to rely on the AF for those zoom shots.Build quality is great, and has all the bells and whistles you could ask for. An acceptable weight for a lens of this class (the lightest 24-70mm f2.8 for the Sony E-mount! Yes there is the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 ... MoreOptically speaking, the image quality for this lens is consistently sharp, even on higher-resolving bodies like the A7R IV and A1. You will not be disappointed by image quality at any focal length.As for video - it's great, but could be improved in future iterations. It has some focus breathing on the wide end, but virtually none on the telephoto side. Focusing is snappy and responsive, which makes it reliable for run-and-gun shoots. However, the one drawback for this lens is that it is NOT par-focal, so you will have to rely on the AF for those zoom shots.Build quality is great, and has all the bells and whistles you could ask for. An acceptable weight for a lens of this class (the lightest 24-70mm f2.8 for the Sony E-mount! Yes there is the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 that is smaller and even lighter, but optically it isn't as strong and starts at 28mm. After a full day of shooting, my wrists and back don't hurt since this is light for this class of lens.All in all, I love this lens, and will use it for all my professional (and maybe even casual) shoots.
I held back on selling my four year-old Sony 24-70 GM I to do a side-by-side comparison with the new II. In my first full day with the GM II, here's what I found. I'm a pro commercial / portrait and journalistic photographer - I do not shoot weddings. That's just for background and my lens use only.The new lens is a bit lighter - but that's really not that noticeable in my use. If you shoot weddings, lighter is certainly better.I really did see that both the color depth and the sharpness on the new lens is definitely more that a bit "crisper." No distortion at all. None.The most noticeable (and most welcome!) improvement on the new lens is the speed and accuracy of the autofocus. Beyond quiet - and no focus hunting at all. I found that the first version focus ... MoreI held back on selling my four year-old Sony 24-70 GM I to do a side-by-side comparison with the new II. In my first full day with the GM II, here's what I found. I'm a pro commercial / portrait and journalistic photographer - I do not shoot weddings. That's just for background and my lens use only.The new lens is a bit lighter - but that's really not that noticeable in my use. If you shoot weddings, lighter is certainly better.I really did see that both the color depth and the sharpness on the new lens is definitely more that a bit "crisper." No distortion at all. None.The most noticeable (and most welcome!) improvement on the new lens is the speed and accuracy of the autofocus. Beyond quiet - and no focus hunting at all. I found that the first version focus hunted in lower light situations and had focus motor noise. Not really annoying, but it was definitely there. The new focus speed (which is instantaneous) and the complete silence will be welcome indoors during commercial and photojournalism shoots. My wedding pro friends will certainly appreciate the quiet and the much better low light focus performance.The continuous focus keeps up with my a1 at 30 fps. The previous version did not. Not even close. Big plus.Is it worth replacing your first version? That's a decision based upon if the faster and quieter focus is worth it to your work flow. For me, it really is. If you do not already have version 1 of the 24-70 and you are looking at the price difference - get version II. You won't second guess the decision.Are the version II improvements in the 24-70 equal to the improvements in the new 70-200 f/2.8 GM II? Probably not - but in that case, the new smaller size and weight in the 70-200 really matter. In this case, the rather modest size and weight shaves are just a small added bonus to a great new lens.Short answer: Outstanding glass. Get it.
Taking out any evaluation of the optical improvements (of which there are many), this lens is a functional marvel. The iris ring that can be de-clicked with the touch of a switch, the smaller size, lighter weight, and ability to adjust the speed of the zoom ring are massive improvements. These aren't just cosmetic, and can't be overstated. It's game changing when you're filming for 18 hours doing handheld or monopod work. You want to carry as little as possible, with as little sacrifice to the quality of the glass.From what I can tell, the glass is extremely sharp, corner to corner throughout the entire zoom range of this lens. The bokeh also looks better to my eye, and matches better with my 70-200 GM ii. This upgrade hasn't gotten a lot of love, for some reason. ... MoreTaking out any evaluation of the optical improvements (of which there are many), this lens is a functional marvel. The iris ring that can be de-clicked with the touch of a switch, the smaller size, lighter weight, and ability to adjust the speed of the zoom ring are massive improvements. These aren't just cosmetic, and can't be overstated. It's game changing when you're filming for 18 hours doing handheld or monopod work. You want to carry as little as possible, with as little sacrifice to the quality of the glass.From what I can tell, the glass is extremely sharp, corner to corner throughout the entire zoom range of this lens. The bokeh also looks better to my eye, and matches better with my 70-200 GM ii. This upgrade hasn't gotten a lot of love, for some reason. Maybe it's because the 24-70 i was a decent enough lens- no argument there. It was good. But this is great. If you do documentary work you'll love this lens. If you like buttery bokeh and a substantially smaller form factor, this is for you.
A bit of background: I was on the Canon Eos system for 3 decades prior to buying my first Sony (A7R3) at the end of 2017. I have used adapted Eos lenses using the Metabones & Sigma MC11 adapters. I also adapt a wide range of old 'classic' lenses to the Sony camera too. I only bought one Sony native lens, GM85, when I bought the A7R3 as I wanted to have one native lens so I can better judge the camera by & compare to my adapted lenses, I went for the GM85 because its a portrait lens & the A7R3 has eye AF - it would be rude not to have gone for a portrait lens! At the end of 2019 I added the G200-600, which was on a 'double sale'. At the very end of 2020 I added the GM24 having deliberated for a long time between it & the 20 1.8. A focal length of 24mm on full ... MoreA bit of background: I was on the Canon Eos system for 3 decades prior to buying my first Sony (A7R3) at the end of 2017. I have used adapted Eos lenses using the Metabones & Sigma MC11 adapters. I also adapt a wide range of old 'classic' lenses to the Sony camera too. I only bought one Sony native lens, GM85, when I bought the A7R3 as I wanted to have one native lens so I can better judge the camera by & compare to my adapted lenses, I went for the GM85 because its a portrait lens & the A7R3 has eye AF - it would be rude not to have gone for a portrait lens! At the end of 2019 I added the G200-600, which was on a 'double sale'. At the very end of 2020 I added the GM24 having deliberated for a long time between it & the 20 1.8. A focal length of 24mm on full frame/35mm film has always been a strong preference for me photographically, so it got the nod over the 20mm, I purchased when it was also on a 'double sale'. I am biased toward Landscape type of photography, but shoot a bit of everything. I tell you the above to help frame my following comments about the 20mm.Why did I get the 20mm when i had the 24mm? Well, I think there were three 'drivers' for me. I added an A7S3 in the first half of 2021 (separate story), & amongst other things, used it for a vlogging camera when I was out shooting, I obviously used the GM24 for this, but it felt a little too tight when at arms length, especially when using image stablisation which crops in a little. Second, I've also shot the night sky alot over the past decade, with motorised telescopes & cooled mono CCD's etc - full astro imaging rigs. These are computer controlled & once setup & going I then leave them running all night & then get out camera & wide angle lens to shoot nightscapes, both the 20 & 24 are good for this, but the 20 gives a more sky, so arguably is the better option. Thirdly & finally, the G20/1.8 was on a double sale for a few weeks in the summer of 2021 - that was the tipping point for me in a 'now or never' kind of way.The G20/1.8 is perfect on the A7S3 for a vlogging lens, its quite light & a little more compact than the GM24. I also see that I will use it for hiking - both for vlogging the trip & also doubling up as a light weight wide angle landscape lens, & if/when those hikes include an overnight camp, then for nightscape/astro use too. If I am not vlogging, or not needing to hike light, then I would probably take the GM24 as it would be my preference for landscape use. Both a great lenses optically I think, the GM24 does feel slightly better in the hand, more solid/substantial, but the G20 being lighter & feeling 'less solid' as a result is both a pro & a con.Just waiting for the Sony 14/1.8 to be on double sale now ;-)
I bought this lens mainly because I needed a Fast Wide Angle Lens (Faster than f/2.8) with minimal distortion and chromatic aberration.First, the optics of this lens are comparable to the Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM.Second, the angle of view seems to be appropriate for most Wide Angle needs but it is particularly well-suited for those who want a blogging lens - since this one gives you a few extra degrees of view where you can comfortably fit your face.Third, the Autofocus is fast and accurate, except under very special circumstances (like low light).Forth, I love this lens for those situations when I need minimal weight (i.e. when I'm hiking in high altitudes and every extra pound feels like a ton). For this reason, it is also a great lens to be used on a Gimbal ... MoreI bought this lens mainly because I needed a Fast Wide Angle Lens (Faster than f/2.8) with minimal distortion and chromatic aberration.First, the optics of this lens are comparable to the Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM.Second, the angle of view seems to be appropriate for most Wide Angle needs but it is particularly well-suited for those who want a blogging lens - since this one gives you a few extra degrees of view where you can comfortably fit your face.Third, the Autofocus is fast and accurate, except under very special circumstances (like low light).Forth, I love this lens for those situations when I need minimal weight (i.e. when I'm hiking in high altitudes and every extra pound feels like a ton). For this reason, it is also a great lens to be used on a Gimbal or other kind of support devices used by video creators and bloggers.Fifth, I really appreciate its capability to get very close thanks to its minimum focusing distance.Finally, the Bokeh is not as 'creamy' as the Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM but it is absolutely satisfying nevertheless.One minor disappointment about this lens relates to having a very noticeable 'lens breathing' effect. So if you are into pulling focus on videos - you will need to deal with this minor limitation.This is one of my favorite Sony Lenses, I own and use almost all of the GM series, except for the Super Telephoto ones.I will soon travel to Bolivia's Uyuni Salt Flats where I will be able to test this lens for Low-Light and Astrophotography.
I purchased the original 24-70GM when I got my first Sony in 2017. It was quite wonderful and compared well with my former Nikon 24-70 but it was HEAVY, noticeably so. Nowadays, I usually use primes for my serious work but wanted something more flexible for travel, granted at the cost of weight, bulk, and speed. My travel gear has been the 24-70, 85 f/1.8 FE for my people photos, and the 70-200 f/4 for longer images. Those three together weigh just over four pounds, not too bad.When I received my new GMII 24-70 I did my usual tests, a la Fred Miranda. I compared it to my primes in that range, the 24GM, 35GM, and 50GM as well as the manual focus Voightlander 50 f/2 APO. The primes were better than the 24-70 but not by a lot except for the 50 f/2 APO which easily ... MoreI purchased the original 24-70GM when I got my first Sony in 2017. It was quite wonderful and compared well with my former Nikon 24-70 but it was HEAVY, noticeably so. Nowadays, I usually use primes for my serious work but wanted something more flexible for travel, granted at the cost of weight, bulk, and speed. My travel gear has been the 24-70, 85 f/1.8 FE for my people photos, and the 70-200 f/4 for longer images. Those three together weigh just over four pounds, not too bad.When I received my new GMII 24-70 I did my usual tests, a la Fred Miranda. I compared it to my primes in that range, the 24GM, 35GM, and 50GM as well as the manual focus Voightlander 50 f/2 APO. The primes were better than the 24-70 but not by a lot except for the 50 f/2 APO which easily surpassed all the other primes and zooms I've ever used. The GM II is a bit weaker in the corners than the primes but at the center, it's really hard to tell, even with pixel peeping at 100%.Overall, I'm rather pleased with this lens. For longer hikes when I don't want to carry a lot of weight, the 20G, 24-70GM II, and the 135 f/2.8 Batis make a formidable landscape grouping.
Sharpest, fastest, most accurate 50mm lens I have ever used from any brand. You can use this lens at any aperture and get sharp results that will not disappoint. I was gob smacked as they say, about how sharp and clean it is at 1.2 across the frame.The most critical reviews I saw about this lens in my view show how good the lens is.Those critiques were that it was far too perfect in image quality and that the lens doesn't change character when you stop down, meaning that the only real benefit you are going to see is increasing the depth of field when you stop down. So if you prefer the various looks (AKA obvious defects wide open that lessen on stopping down) of other 1.2 lenses like the Canon 50mm f1.2L EF, don't buy this.My most critical issues with the lens ... MoreSharpest, fastest, most accurate 50mm lens I have ever used from any brand. You can use this lens at any aperture and get sharp results that will not disappoint. I was gob smacked as they say, about how sharp and clean it is at 1.2 across the frame.The most critical reviews I saw about this lens in my view show how good the lens is.Those critiques were that it was far too perfect in image quality and that the lens doesn't change character when you stop down, meaning that the only real benefit you are going to see is increasing the depth of field when you stop down. So if you prefer the various looks (AKA obvious defects wide open that lessen on stopping down) of other 1.2 lenses like the Canon 50mm f1.2L EF, don't buy this.My most critical issues with the lens are the focus breathing and cat's eye bokeh that goes away around by f2.5. However, every other 1.2 50mm I have seen better in these regards is either way larger and heavier, doesn't have auto focus or the AF is not nearly is fast/accurate, or the IQ isn't as good. So its basically a trade off here.I would say that unless there is some revolutionary change in lens design that happens soon, you will enjoy this lens for a very long time without the need to upgrade when a version 2 or even version 3 come about.
I got the chance to test out this lens versus the famous Sigma 24-70 2.8 DG DN on my a7rV. Shot side by side with the same scene, same settings, focused in same areas the GM II was consistently doing better than the sigma. It was especially noticeable when shooting wide open. The GM II was displaying better micro contrast, resolving better than the sigma in the center and corners. This was more noticable when shooting distant objects, focused at infinity which I often do for landscapes or at hyperfocal.Colors wise the sony render more on neutral side where the sigma is more on warmer side. Is the GM II 2x better than the sigma for the price? That's for you to decide. Maybe not but overall what you are paying for here is the AF/ergonimics/size/weight and great ... MoreI got the chance to test out this lens versus the famous Sigma 24-70 2.8 DG DN on my a7rV. Shot side by side with the same scene, same settings, focused in same areas the GM II was consistently doing better than the sigma. It was especially noticeable when shooting wide open. The GM II was displaying better micro contrast, resolving better than the sigma in the center and corners. This was more noticable when shooting distant objects, focused at infinity which I often do for landscapes or at hyperfocal.Colors wise the sony render more on neutral side where the sigma is more on warmer side. Is the GM II 2x better than the sigma for the price? That's for you to decide. Maybe not but overall what you are paying for here is the AF/ergonimics/size/weight and great optics. To me the sigma has annoyed me the past with missing focus during critical moments during events which caused me having to reshoot but missing the better moment.Also please take into consideration sample variation because I had to go through TWO copies of the GM II to get this excellent one which is NOT FUN. Copy variation plagues the 24-70 zoom lenses in particular as they are difficult to design and have different tolerances. I was not happy with my two previous copies as they were softer on the left side of the frame even stopped down at most FL which was not OK. I had the same experience when I got my sony 12-24 GM lens. I really wish this wasn't the same case in 2023 but here we are.Still highly recommend this lens if you can afford it and want the best AF especially.
Near Perfect but let down by Sony camera’s limitation.I only had this lens for more than 2 weeks. I have been testing this lens ever since I received this.In a short test period, I would say this lens performance is good in areas:1.Wide end image quality: Good.2.Tele end image quality: Good (but pay attention to shutter speed to reduce blurring due to shake).3.AF acquisition and final focus result: Good (there is slight focus breathing when you change focal length and re-focus).4.Handling: Good, balances well on camera (I use A1).The only area I’m a little critical is non-OIS in lens. The Sony camera I use is the A1 and it has IBIS but it’s certainly not that effective in the Tele end. I must increase the shutter speed to minimize shake, and this ... MoreNear Perfect but let down by Sony camera’s limitation.I only had this lens for more than 2 weeks. I have been testing this lens ever since I received this.In a short test period, I would say this lens performance is good in areas:1.Wide end image quality: Good.2.Tele end image quality: Good (but pay attention to shutter speed to reduce blurring due to shake).3.AF acquisition and final focus result: Good (there is slight focus breathing when you change focal length and re-focus).4.Handling: Good, balances well on camera (I use A1).The only area I’m a little critical is non-OIS in lens. The Sony camera I use is the A1 and it has IBIS but it’s certainly not that effective in the Tele end. I must increase the shutter speed to minimize shake, and this limits my use case. Sony should either improve the cameras (A1) IBIS effective stops or include OIS in lens. The Focus breathing issue might not be an issue if you have newer released Sony cameras after A1 release. The new cameras have focus breathing compensation. Sony should improve/add this in A1 or build lens with better focus breathing handling.But from an Image quality point, the G2 is certainly better (not a huge amount but slightly) than other 24-70mm F2.8 lens.
| Viewing angle | 47 ° |
| Camera brands compatibility | Sony |
| Auto focus | Y |
| Manual focus | Y |
| Maximum magnification | 0.17 x |
