p.5 #2 · Sony 24-105 still a (really) good choice in 2025 (soon 2026)?
What I am still puzzled by is the fact that there are no rumors about a version II of the Sony 24-105. I mean it’s an old lens now. It’s a very versatile (if not crucial) focal length. Nikons’s 24-120 set the bar and is being praised everywhere. But Sony seems no to be impressed by all that.
p.5 #4 · Sony 24-105 still a (really) good choice in 2025 (soon 2026)?
zeitlos wrote:
What I am still puzzled by is the fact that there are no rumors about a version II of the Sony 24-105. I mean it’s an old lens now. It’s a very versatile (if not crucial) focal length. Nikons’s 24-120 set the bar and is being praised everywhere. But Sony seems no to be impressed by all that.
I agree it is strange that Sony has not pursued an update for the 24-105 and not even any hints of a rumor. I am back to shooting the Z 24-120 and am amazed all over again just how good it is.
[Edit: the Sony 24-105 holds it own at landscape apertures - see test below]
p.5 #6 · Sony 24-105 still a (really) good choice in 2025 (soon 2026)?
Grievous Angel wrote:
The 24-70 2.8 is better but I can’t afford it.
I will decide between the 24-70 2.8 and the 24-105 4.0. Still not sure what it will be in the end. All promotions included, price difference is almost 2000 euros between those two lenses.
p.5 #8 · Sony 24-105 still a (really) good choice in 2025 (soon 2026)?
Ross Martin wrote:
I agree it is strange that Sony has not pursued an update for the 24-105 and not even any hints of a rumor. I am back to shooting the Z 24-120 and am amazed all over again just how good it is.
p.5 #9 · Sony 24-105 still a (really) good choice in 2025 (soon 2026)?
Ross Martin wrote:
I agree it is strange that Sony has not pursued an update for the 24-105 and not even any hints of a rumor. I am back to shooting the Z 24-120 and am amazed all over again just how good it is.
I saw you picked up that Z8 and 24-120! Nice job.
I’ve said before I’m not a fan of f4 zooms, but that Nikon 24-120/4 is something I’d gladly shoot. It’s the perfect range for so many things and has superb image quality. I could overlook the max aperture for those two things. 🙂🙂
p.5 #10 · Sony 24-105 still a (really) good choice in 2025 (soon 2026)?
mudlake wrote:
I saw you picked up that Z8 and 24-120! Nice job.
I’ve said before I’m not a fan of f4 zooms, but that Nikon 24-120/4 is something I’d gladly shoot. It’s the perfect range for so many things and has superb image quality. I could overlook the max aperture for those two things. 🙂🙂
From a careful tripod test at f/8 where I use these lenses a lot for landscape I find they are surprisingly close in IQ, and the 61mp advantage on Sony is easily seen with more captured detail compared to the 45mp Nikon. I will repeat the test in a couple weeks when I have the new A7RVI in my hands Also, the 61mp sensor is like having a built-in 1.1x converter whenever you need it compared to 45mp sensor, so the reach of the Sony ends up being 24-115.5mm. This cropping advantage will extend even further with the new 66.8mp sensor.
p.5 #11 · Sony 24-105 still a (really) good choice in 2025 (soon 2026)?
Ross Martin wrote:
From a careful tripod test at f/8 where I use these lenses a lot for landscape I find they are surprisingly close in IQ, and the 61mp advantage on Sony is easily seen with more captured detail compared to the 45mp Nikon. I will repeat the test in a couple weeks when I have the new A7RVI in my hands Also, the 61mp sensor is like having a built-in 1.1x converter whenever you need it compared to 45mp sensor, so the reach of the Sony ends up being 24-115.5mm. This cropping advantage will extend even further with the new 66.8mp sensor....Show more →
Here’s a visual summary of that test - the overall scene, and a 100% pixel view. Note how close the colors are after using eyedropper to equalize white balance:
p.5 #12 · Sony 24-105 still a (really) good choice in 2025 (soon 2026)?
The Sony 24-105mm f/4 is not perfect at anything. But it is near perfect at being the ideal compromise. It’s not too big, not too heavy, has a great zoom range for a live aboard lens, has very good IQ, has OSS, it has almost everything going for it except its age. There is a reason that it is generally accepted as Sony’s best selling lens ever and is still being sold.
I have one and I’ve tried lots of the competition, maybe a half dozen of the one-and-done lenses (trying the 20-70 f/4 G right now) and nothing tops it in my view.
To me it’s like Sony’s 90mm macro. Yes the 100mm is considered the superior lens, but dang it, the 90mm is 2 years older than the 24-105 and I believe the 90 is still considered one of the sharpest lenses Sony has ever made.
zeitlos asked for opinions and this is mine; I use the 24-105 on my A7R3A and A7R4A all the time and would stop using it only if I find a better compromise. Even if I did find a replacement I doubt that I would ever part with it; I love that lens.
p.5 #13 · Sony 24-105 still a (really) good choice in 2025 (soon 2026)?
I've had my Sony 24-105 since I switched to Sony in 2018. I think Sony has updated every lens except this one. I like the zoom range and it has many uses for me. The one thing I do need in a lens is image stabilization. I don't have the steadiest of hands/arms anymore. An updated version would surely improve on many things like sharpness.
There were many criticisms of this lens in the past.
