p.1 #1 · DXOMark: Sony FE 24-70/2.8 GM - Best zoom in the range
DXOMark just posted their review and lab tests for the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM
"Given the emphasis on the high-grade components and construction to match the maker’s high-resolution sensors, we had high hopes for the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM, and we weren’t disappointed. It is the best-performing zoom in the maker’s range and can easily hold its own against the new AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm F2.8E ED VR. However, for edge-to-edge to sharpness, the Sony isn’t quite in the same league as the Canon EF 24-70mm F2.8L USM II, but we still have to add the Sony A7RII to propose a fair comparison with the 50 Mpix Canon EOS 5DSR. Nevertheless, the Sony does have certain strengths — better transmission and lower lateral chromatic aberration than many high-grade primes — and while certainly pricey, it’s still a competitive and tempting addition to the range."
p.1 #3 · DXOMark: Sony FE 24-70/2.8 GM - Best zoom in the range
I own and tested the lens myself and DXO is whatever in my book. But for me this is the best zoom lens I ever shot bar none. Forget the sharpness it renders better than many great primes and has great Out of focus transitions that are pretty amazing. It's big and heavy but if there is one lens you should have if you care about IQ than this fits the bill at many focal lengths in it. If there is a ding in the armor it's at 70mm but at 24mm I'm just not sure what could beat it. I feel the same way about the GM 85 these are simply best in class. For me these are work horse lenses and I have great copies of each.
p.1 #4 · DXOMark: Sony FE 24-70/2.8 GM - Best zoom in the range
I trust Roger's MTF tests more than other online review for three reasons: First, tests are done at infinity distance, second he averages many copies of the lens being tested and lastly he does not test a lens on a body removing the sensor variable from the equation.
Luckily for us, he recently tested the FE 24-70/2.8GM:
p.1 #5 · DXOMark: Sony FE 24-70/2.8 GM - Best zoom in the range
It is DXO's "signature" to associate a lens' performance with the corresponding body and that's fine. But they need to be consistent in using the top of the line body to be more consistent. My point is why did they use an A7r for testing the GM lens? The A7r II has been available close to 11 months now.
p.1 #7 · DXOMark: Sony FE 24-70/2.8 GM - Best zoom in the range
Hopefully DxO will update their test with the A7rii so we can all pat ourselves more on the back. Just an FYI...Amazon is now showing these as being in stock from July 3. I fell victim to Fred and Guy's thorough reviews and Roger's testing and ordered one from Amazon about a week ago and it's out for delivery today. I've got black poster board and white notebook paper reinforcement rings per Roger's decentering/tilted testing suggestion ready to go and I hope it's a hassle free lens.
p.1 #8 · DXOMark: Sony FE 24-70/2.8 GM - Best zoom in the range
Fred Miranda wrote:
I trust Roger's MTF tests more than other online review for three reasons: First, tests are done at infinity distance, second he averages many copies of the lens being tested and lastly he does not test a lens on a body removing the sensor variable from the equation.
Luckily for us, he recently tested the FE 24-70/2.8GM:
I'm not sure it's really relevant to compare these lenses. Without a doubt they are all excellent, but in use, we need to attach a body that we probably already work with and love. Even though I do shoot both Canon and Sony, I still want the Sony 24-70 GM. That focal length is THE workhorse for most people and having the native version for both systems, is well worth it. As good as the Metabones adapters are, they are not as convenient or perform as well as a native lens.
p.1 #10 · DXOMark: Sony FE 24-70/2.8 GM - Best zoom in the range
stevesanacore wrote:
I'm not sure it's really relevant to compare these lenses. Without a doubt they are all excellent, but in use, we need to attach a body that we probably already work with and love. Even though I do shoot both Canon and Sony, I still want the Sony 24-70 GM. That focal length is THE workhorse for most people and having the native version for both systems, is well worth it. As good as the Metabones adapters are, they are not as convenient or perform as well as a native lens.
My 2 cents.
I'd say it's relevant to compare them to learn about their strengths and weaknesses. Based on Roger's MTF tests, I agree they are all excellent and that's good and reliable data.
I also agree with you that it makes sense to choose a native mount lens but there are exceptions and price may play a role here.
The Canon 24-70/2.8II's are going for about $1,300 used in pristine condition and this lens could be a great option for landscapes where AF is not essential and mechanical manual focus is preferred to focus by wire.
p.1 #11 · DXOMark: Sony FE 24-70/2.8 GM - Best zoom in the range
I am not really interested in 24-70 zoom in general as I prefer to carry 2-3 smaller, lighter and faster prime in that range instead. However, looking at the score, one has to wonder. I think comparing the lenses using A7r and D810 is fair enough as both has pretty much identical sensor. Nikon beats Sony in every category (by a small margin, granted) except for CA which Nikon lost out by quite a bit. I guess it is the big difference in CA that made Sony beats Nikon by a small margin on overall score. Canon leads by a comfortable margin mainly because of sharpness but how much of that is the lens and how much of it is 36mp vs 50mp, I don't really know. However, I think it is safe to say that all 3 are excellent performers and I would not choose one platform over another because of these lenses.
p.1 #12 · DXOMark: Sony FE 24-70/2.8 GM - Best zoom in the range
Too bad their lightweight mid-range (travel / landscape) zooms are still abysmal. No way am I lugging this beast into the backcountry... I never cared for the 24-70 range as a landscape photographer anyways though; I guess that's what the 16-35 and 70-200 f/4's are for, with a 50mm in between. Done deal.
p.1 #13 · DXOMark: Sony FE 24-70/2.8 GM - Best zoom in the range
suteetat wrote:
I am not really interested in 24-70 zoom in general as I prefer to carry 2-3 smaller, lighter and faster prime in that range instead. However, looking at the score, one has to wonder. I think comparing the lenses using A7r and D810 is fair enough as both has pretty much identical sensor. Nikon beats Sony in every category (by a small margin, granted) except for CA which Nikon lost out by quite a bit. I guess it is the big difference in CA that made Sony beats Nikon by a small margin on overall score. Canon leads by a comfortable margin mainly because of sharpness but how much of that is the lens and how much of it is 36mp vs 50mp, I don't really know. However, I think it is safe to say that all 3 are excellent performers and I would not choose one platform over another because of these lenses. ...Show more →
It could be copy variance but they also tested the Canon 24-70/2.8LII on the Canon 5D3 (22MP sensor) and "Sharpness" was still higher (barely) when compared to A7R + 24-70GM.
Aside from copy variance, there is a possibility the Canon performs better than the Sony at closer distances. (DXO target testing)
Regardless, these numbers simply do not reflect what a great number of serious users and review sites reported on the Sony GM.
p.1 #14 · DXOMark: Sony FE 24-70/2.8 GM - Best zoom in the range
Fred Miranda wrote:
Regardless, these numbers simply do not reflect what a great number of serious users and review sites reported on the Sony GM.
True, true, I think chart testing is only a fraction of overall picture. At this level, measurement does not tell the whole story. I am rather more curious about Leica SL 24-90/2.8-4 in comparison to all the 24-70/2.8 of the major brands but DXO never tested the lens and I have not seen any measurement done beside MTF on the Leica by any site so far.
p.1 #15 · DXOMark: Sony FE 24-70/2.8 GM - Best zoom in the range
This test tells us nothing on how a lens renders in all aspects of it, why I completely dismiss DXO testing and it also counts for zero on processing which I put a high value on. I want to know how a lens is I buy it test it than decide if it's for me. Far too many put there faith in this test from DXO and it's seriously flawed IMHO.
p.1 #16 · DXOMark: Sony FE 24-70/2.8 GM - Best zoom in the range
Fred Miranda wrote:
I'd say it's relevant to compare them to learn about their strengths and weaknesses. Based on Roger's MTF tests, I agree they are all excellent and that's good and reliable data.
I also agree with you that it makes sense to choose a native mount lens but there are exceptions and price may play a role here.
The Canon 24-70/2.8II's are going for about $1,300 used in pristine condition and this lens could be a great option for landscapes where AF is not essential and mechanical manual focus is preferred to focus by wire.
Well when you put it that way, I have to agree that the Canon may indeed be a good choice. Canon really killed it when they made the new 24-70. Although I use them all the time, I really don't like the adapter game.
BTW: I didn't mean to imply the comparison was not of interest, just that I doubt someone is going to go out and buy a new system just to use one new lens.
p.1 #17 · DXOMark: Sony FE 24-70/2.8 GM - Best zoom in the range
GMPhotography wrote:
This test tells us nothing on how a lens renders in all aspects of it, why I completely dismiss DXO testing and it also counts for zero on processing which I put a high value on. I want to know how a lens is I buy it test it than decide if it's for me. Far too many put there faith in this test from DXO and it's seriously flawed IMHO.
I think, depending on what you shoot, some tests are much more relevant than others. For architecture and landscapes, a technical test to show the lenses ability to resolve fine detail without distortion across from corner to corner should be easy to test. I agree that for people and lifestyle, it's a much more subjective look and feel that go beyond MTF tests etc. that are more important.
p.1 #18 · DXOMark: Sony FE 24-70/2.8 GM - Best zoom in the range
Agree Steve some of these tests have some real value. What bothers me is people are buying lenses because of these tests and to me it's kind of flawed thinking. It's also a point for people to argue there favorite brand and use it as the evidence. I guess my thoughts are people do forget this is a Visual Art form.
p.1 #19 · DXOMark: Sony FE 24-70/2.8 GM - Best zoom in the range
GMPhotography wrote:
Agree Steve some of these tests have some real value. What bothers me is people are buying lenses because of these tests and to me it's kind of flawed thinking. It's also a point for people to argue there favorite brand and use it as the evidence. I guess my thoughts are people do forget this is a Visual Art form.
DXOMark or LensRentals do technical reviews and I agree that's not the complete picture. As you wrote, this is very unfortunate because a lot of photographers will rely on this test and score number when deciding on a lens.
I have experience shooting with both lenses on the A7R and A7RII bodies and know they are equally capable lenses, especially at the wider range.
The GM has less CA, cleaner bokeh balls and smoother focus transition zone. It's also more 'flat field' at infinity when compared to the Canon.
They are pretty much the same size and weight when adapted so if AF is not crucial for your shooting, the Canon could be a great alternative at current used prices.
