The Sony 24-70 lens is truly a magical creation made by both Sony and Carl Zeiss. You can get this lens from Amazon
If you’ve clicked the button above and saw the price, you might be shocked. Yes, it is expensive, but this lens is very worth it.
This lens is compatible for both cropped sensor and full frame DSLR. And I would consider this lens to be the sharpest zoom lens for the Sony Alpha DSLR cameras.
If you are really serious about getting perfect pictures every time, this is the lens to get.
I think I should stop rambling about this lens and I should let you see the proof on the full Sony 24-70 lens review below.
Let’s dive in!
Specs • Performance • Sample Image • Conclusion • Where to Buy
Sony 24-70 Specs
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Official Name:
Sony Carl Zeiss 24-70mm f/2.8 SAL-2470Z
Focal Length Markings:
24, 35, 50, 70mm
Features:
Carl Zeiss – Stands for Carl Zeiss. Optics are made by the superior company, Carl Zeiss. Again, just like a G lens, prepare to pay an expensive price if you see this designation.
Full Technical Specs (from Sony’s website):
| Technical Specifications | |
| Groups / Elements | 13 / 17 |
| Angle of View | 84 -34 (FF) |
| Number of Blade Diaphragm | 9 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22-29 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 1′ 1.8″ (.34m) |
| Filter Thread | 77mm |
| Weight | 2lb. 1oz. (995g) |
| Dimension (Diameter x Length) | 3 1/4 X 4 3/8″ (83 X 111mm) |
| Macro Magnification Ratio | 0.25X |
| Available at | Amazon, B&H Photo Video or Adorama |
Optical Performance
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Sony 24-70 Sharpness
This lens is unbelievably sharp on the center at any aperture and focal length.
Border sharpness is also the same, it is very sharp at any aperture and focal length. You really are getting that you are paying in terms of sharpness.
The point of maximum sharpness is at f/4.
See the sharpness table test below to see the complete test result for this Sony 24-70 lens.
Sharpness Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Excellent
(4) Great
(3) Good
(2) Fair
(1) Poor
Sony Carl Zeiss 24-70mm f/2.8 SAL-2470Z Center Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 24mm | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| 50mm | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| 70mm | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Sony Carl Zeiss 24-70mm f/2.8 SAL-2470Z Border Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 24mm | Great | Excellent | Excellent | Great |
| 50mm | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| 70mm | Great | Great | Excellent | Excellent |
Distortion
Barrel distortion is slightly apparent at 24mm, which is very common among fast zoom lenses like this. It is not to the extreme degree though and can be easily corrected.
At 40mm and 70mm, the distortion can be ignored.
See the distortion test image grid below for each focal lengths on this Sony 24-70 lens.
Vignetting
Vignetting is extremely well controlled on this lens. Even at the widest aperture, it is very minimum at every focal length.
See my vignetting test chart below for each focal length and apertures at this Sony 24-70 lens.
Chromatic Aberration
Just like every other aspects, chromatic aberration is very well controlled as well on this lens. It is very low at any aperture and focal lengths and surely not something that you should be worried about.
See the complete result for each focal length and apertures below for this Sony 24-70 lens.
Chromatic Aberration Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Negligible
(4) Very Low
(3) Low
(2) High
(1) Very High
Sony Carl Zeiss 24-70mm f/2.8 SAL-2470Z Chromatic Aberration
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 24mm | Low | Low | Low | Very Low |
| 50mm | Negligible | Negligible | Very Low | Negligible |
| 70mm | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible |
Build Quality
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Materials
This is a professional lens made from massive, solid metal in combination with high quality plastics. It is heavy, but feels very solid.
Zoom Ring
The zoom ring of this lens is a bit stiff to operate which might be caused by the weight. It does not have any zoom creep whatsoever though.
The lens will extend during zooming.
Focusing
The focusing ring is smoother to operate compared to the zoom ring. This lens has an IF (internal focusing) design so the front element will not rotate during zooming or focusing. This makes it easy to use polarizing filter.
The autofocus is blazingly fast, accurate and silent, thanks to the SSM motor. I personally would like to see Sony and Carl Zeiss make more of this lens in the near future!
There is also a helpful focus lock button as well as an AF/MF switch on this lens.
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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Here comes the conclusion for this excellent Sony 24-70 lens.
A lot of people will be surprised when they see the price on this lens. However, from the testing, I can say that this lens is worth every penny for the price.
It is simply superb in terms of optical quality and has close to none optical issue.
Both center and border sharpness are excellent at any focal length and apertures.
Distortion, vignetting and chromatic aberration are all kept to a minimum as well.
In terms of build quality, this lens is simply superb. It is heavy and solid, typical of all professional grade lens.
Price wise, it is expensive, but you really are getting what you pay for.
It is very hard to come up with the drawbacks on this lens except the price.
Highly recommended.
Drawbacks
- Expensive
Positives
- Extremely sharp both on the center and borders at any focal length and apertures
- Good distortion control
- Excellent chromatic aberration control
- Superb vignetting control
- Superb build quality
- Fast, silent and accurate autofocus
Good For
- Moderate wide angle to normal telephoto lens when used on cropped sensor DSLR
- Wide angle lens to telephoto when used on full frame DSLR camera
- Landscape photography
- Portrait photography
- All around professional photography needs
Not So Good For
- Travel or hiking lens due to the weight
What Others Are Saying…
by “Alan”
The Carl Zeiss 24-70mm f/2.8 SSM Lens is an impressively high performing zoom lens. I regard it as one of the best general purpose lenses. The lens build and mechanical quality are top of the line…
Click here to see the full review
by “JJ Casas”
I will say that this is the ONE lens you’ll need especially if you’re a portrait photographer. If you’re on this page, surely you already know the legacy of Carl Zeiss lenses as far as construction and…
Click here to see the full review
Where to Buy
Support this site, buy the Sony 24-70 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 my Sony 24-70 review, hope you’ve enjoyed it and I will catch you in the next one!
| Lens Score | |
|---|---|
| Optical Quality | |
| Build Quality | |
| Value for Money | |
| Overall | |
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