Expert Pick #01

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II.

The benchmark standard zoom. Sharper, lighter, and faster-focusing than the original GM — the only 24-70 most Sony shooters will ever need.

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II

The Verdict.

9.7/ 10

Gavler Meta-Score

The GM II is the best standard zoom ever made for any mirrorless system. It's lighter, sharper, and faster than the lens it replaces, and it renders images with a quality that makes dedicated primes a luxury rather than a necessity. If you shoot Sony, this is the one lens that should live on your camera.

The Gavler Verdict

Precision Engineering

Prime-Level Sharpness

Latest aspherical and ED elements deliver corner-to-corner sharpness that rivals dedicated prime lenses across the zoom range.

695g Weather-Sealed Body

200 grams lighter than the original GM with full dust and moisture sealing for all-weather professional use.

4 XD Linear AF Motors

Quad linear motors drive autofocus fast enough to track subjects at 120fps burst — silent, precise, and nearly instantaneous.

Technical Specifications

Focal Length24-70mm
Aperturef/2.8 constant
Weight695 g
Filter Size82mm
Elements/Groups20 elements in 15 groups

The Scoreboard

Expert Consensus97%
Community Rating95%

Near-unanimous expert acclaim — multiple outlets call it the best standard zoom ever tested. Community ratings reflect the exceptional optical quality tempered only slightly by the $2,298 price point.

Cast Your Vote

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Best Price Availability.

Prices checked April 2026

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Global Critique

The best-quality general-purpose zoom for the E-mount system to date — it addresses the few shortfalls of its predecessor.

Amateur Photographer

Unlike the Mark I, which softened as you zoomed in, the II stays crisp across the range, with corners that hold up well even at f/2.8.

Cameralabs

In the studio it surpassed expectations, handily besting the version I lens — it is considerably sharper at the long end of the range.

The-Digital-Picture