Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G
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The holy grail of high-end zoom lenses, the constant f/2.8 aperture comes at a high price from all manufacturers. Sony has decided to lower the entry price for its hybrid cameras with a 24×36 sensor by announcing an FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G zoom. An optic of a lower class Superior to its G Master optics, but modern in its design, to ensure good performance with the 61 Mpx sensors of the A7R Mark V or the crazy bursts of the A9 Mark III.
Its first specificity is this constant f/2.8 aperture combined with the unconventional focal range of 24 to 50 mm. This sacrifice of magnification power allows Sony to contain the weight and bulk of its baby, which weighs only 440 g compared to 488 g for the FE 20-70mm f/4.0 G.
Careful construction
By reducing the zoom power, Sony has limited the optical constraints, which allows it to promise excellent image quality for a G lens. And Sony does not seem to have done things by halves, in integrating for example the 11-blade diaphragm which is usually fitted to the higher G Master range. This should offer much smoother transitions from sharp to blur than those with nine blades.
Inside the barrel, 16 optical elements are organized into 13 groups, with a front lens compatible with 67mm filters. In terms of autofocus, this internal zoom lens integrates no less than two linear motors for focusing as quickly in photos as in video. In fact, the optics are compatible with both subject tracking in 4K120p and the 120 fps burst of the A9 Mark III.
The zoom incorporates an aperture control ring – detachable to avoid clicks in video – and the whole thing is able to withstand bad weather with DMR certification (dust and moisture resistantresistant to dust and humidity).
For the minimum focusing distance, Sony once again takes advantage of the lower zoom power to offer excellent values: 19 to 24 mm (and 18 cm in manual focus), and 30 to 50 mm (29 cm). in manual). If the magnification power of x0.3 cannot be described as macro, there is plenty to produce good close-ups, especially at 50 mm.
A new f/2.8 zoom, yes but for whom?
The range of small zoom lenses from Sony seems plentiful, with the aging Vario Tessar FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA, but also the FE 24-105mm G OSS, FE 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II and FZ 20 -70mm f/4 G. The question is therefore who is targeting this zoom at the narrower optical range.
The FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G is designed for use with the A7C (here, an A7C II). © Sony
First there are video uses such as travel vlogging for example, where weight is important to maintain a good balance. The other target is owners of compact A7C class FE 24×36 cases, like the A7C R that we recently tested. Lighter and more robust than the classic A7s, these bodies do not cope well with large zoom lenses like the 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II, which tickles the 700g mark. We also think of photographers who already own a 24-70 mm or 24-105 mm who use their maximum zoom power little or not at all. Finally, there are the smaller budgets.
Indeed, the Sony FE 24-50 mm f/2.8 G will be launched at €1,300 for availability on April 24.
If the price is not strictly speaking low, it is however half as high as the 2700 € requested by Sony for its 24-70 mm f/2.8 G Master II.