The Sony SAL-70200G or sometimes called the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 SSM G lens is one of the lens that belongs in the Sony G or Gold lineup. You can get this lens from Amazon
This is actually a redesigned Minolta lens. Sony only did some cosmetic touch up on this lens. Everything else remains quite the same.
This is a professional telephoto lens that is compatible with both full frame and cropped sensor DSLR camera.
Shot Using Sony SAL-70200G Lens
The primary application is for sports photography as well as serious portraiture.
This lens feels solid due to its metal construction but heavy and expensive as well.
Does this lens really worth its expensive price? Let’s find out in my full SAL-70200G review below.
Specs • Performance • Sample Image • Conclusion • Where to Buy
SAL-70200G Specs
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Official Name:
Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 SAL-70200G
Focal Length Markings:
70, 100, 135, 200mm
Features:
G – Sony’s mark for its “G”old lens. This lens belongs to the elite lens group and is quite expensive.
Full Technical Specs (from Sony’s website):
| Technical Specifications | |
| Groups / Elements | 16 / 19 |
| Angle of View | 34 – 12.3 |
| Number of Blade Diaphragm | 9 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/32 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 4′ (1.2m) |
| Filter Thread | 77mm |
| Weight | 15oz (1300g) |
| Dimension (Diameter x Length) | 3 1/2 X 7 3/4″ (87 X 196.5mm) |
| Macro Magnification Ratio | 0.21X |
| Available at | Amazon, B&H Photo Video or Adorama |
Optical Performance
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SAL-70200G Sharpness
The center sharpness on this lens is excellent at any aperture and focal length.
Border sharpness shares the similar characteristics. They are excellent at any aperture and focal length on this lens.
Shoot at f/4 to get the maximum sharpness on this lens.
See the sharpness table test below to see the complete test result.
Sharpness Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Excellent
(4) Great
(3) Good
(2) Fair
(1) Poor
Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 SAL-70200G Center Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 70mm | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| 135mm | Great | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| 200mm | Great | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 SAL-70200G Border Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 70mm | Great | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| 135mm | Great | Excellent | Excellent | Great |
| 200mm | Great | Great | Great | Great |
Distortion
Being a professional telephoto zoom lens, distortion is negligible on this lens. It can be ignored at any focal lengths.
See the distortion test image grid below for proof.
Vignetting
Vignetting is not a problem on this lens as well. It is kept to the minimum at any focal length at any aperture, even at the widest aperture of f/2.8.
See the vignetting test chart below.
Chromatic Aberration
Chromatic aberration control is also excellent on this lens. You can ignore the chromatic aberration at any aperture and focal length on this lens.
See my complete chromatic aberration test table below.
Chromatic Aberration Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Negligible
(4) Very Low
(3) Low
(2) High
(1) Very High
Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 SAL-70200G Chromatic Aberration
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 70mm | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low | Low |
| 135mm | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible |
| 200mm | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low | Low |
Build Quality
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Materials
Superbly built using all metal construction. A minor complaint about this lens is that it does not feature any seals which is a bit disappointing considering the price of this lens.
Zoom Ring
Zoom ring is smooth but feels tight at the same time. It feels very nice to handle. The physical dimension of this lens will remain constant during zooming.
Focusing
Focusing ring feels and operates similar to the zoom ring. The lens dimension does not change during focusing because Sony installed the IF or Internal Focusing elements on this lens.
The front element of the lens does not rotate which makes using a polarizing filter easy.
There are 3 focus lock buttons as well as an AF/MF switch on this lens which you should take advantage of.
The autofocus mechanism, called the SSM is similar to Canon’s USM or Nikon’s SWM. It is fast and silent.
Image Stabilization
In the Sony DSLR world, the Image Stabilization is built into the camera sensor, not on the lenses. Check your camera body to see if it has the Image Stabilization feature.
Compatibility
This lens is compatible with both cropped sensor and full frame DSLR camera.
Sample Image
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Below are some sample images taken with this lens. Click on any thumbnail to open the image.
Get the best price online from these sites: Amazon
Conclusion
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In this section, I will be summarizing this whole SAL-70200G lens review.
Drawbacks
- Expensive
- No weather sealing of any kind given the price
Positives
- Extremely sharp on any aperture and focal length both on the center and on the borders
- Distortion is very well controlled at any focal lengths
- Vignetting control is superb at any focal lengths and apertures
- Negligible chromatic aberration at any apertures and focal lengths
- Superb build quality – great all metal finish.
- Fast, accurate and silent autofocusing mechanism
Good For
- Serious sports photography
- Serious portrait photography
- Photographers who demands the maximum optical quality from a telephoto lens
Not So Good For
- Vacation or travel lens due to its size and weight
What Others Are Saying…
by “D. Proko”
It’s important to get a quick autofocus lens that will deliver across a wide range of potential shoot options. I bought this one for the A700, using the Sony 2x converter, and despite ambiguous…
by “E. Pletsch”
This lens delivers everything that is promised. The build quality is fantastic. It is super fast and quiet. And of course, as everyone else has stated, quite heavy. It took a long time for me, as an…
Where to Buy
Support this site, buy the SAL-70200G from these sites (best price online):
Amazon (Best Price + FREE Shipping)
Do check out the related lens review post below if you want to explore your options further.
Thanks for reading this SAL-70200G lens review and I’ll see you in the next one!
| Lens Score | |
|---|---|
| Optical Quality | |
| Build Quality | |
| Value for Money | |
| Overall | |
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