Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM Full-Frame Lens (2020)

MSRP 3300 EUR43% Neofiliac88% External
Keywords: e-mountfull-frameg-masterlensmirrorlesssonywide-anglezoom-lens

Product Gallery

Photo 0of Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM Full-Frame Lens (2020)Photo 1of Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM Full-Frame Lens (2020)

Product Overview

The Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM is a compact large-aperture ultra-wide zoom lens for the company's E-mount MILC system.
The world's widest zoom lens at f/2.8, the FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM features a constant maximum aperture across the zoom range, making it ideal for video. Despite its compact size, the GM delivers high image quality across the frame, thanks to three XA (extreme aspherical) elements including the largest XA element ever in a Sony lens that suppress field curvature, coma, and astigmatism, as well as three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and two Super ED elements that corrects chromatic aberration.
For optimal focusing precision and performance, the FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM sports a floating focus mechanism with two independently controllable groups driven by four high-thrust XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors. This setup also ensures a constant minimum focusing distance of 28 cm across the zoom range.

Ratings

What we found**

Neofiliac score 43% (not directly comparable across industries)
Pros
  • Weather-sealed
  • Exceptional sharpness
  • Great flare-resistance
  • Low distortion
  • Fast autofocus
Cons
  • Large and heavy
  • Lacks front filter thread
  • High sample variation
  • Sigma's 14-24 F2.8 is just as sharp

What external reviewers found***

External score 88% (not directly comparable across industries)
Pros
  • Excellent build quality
  • Excellent image quality
  • Excellent sharpness from centre to corners
  • Excellent contrast and color rendition
  • Excellent autofocus
Cons
  • Difficult to open at F5.6
  • Mediocre focus breathing
  • Some distortion at f/2.8
  • Some AF oscillations in the image
  • Front element is bulbous
  • 1-stop difference in max aperture
Read More

Price Comparison

Specifications

Construction

Aperture Blades
9 blades
Form Factor
Ultra Wide-Angle Zoom Lens
Image Size
Full-Frame
Lens Mount
Sony E-mount
Optical Formula | Elements
17 elements
Optical Formula | Groups
14 groups
Optical Formula | Special Glass
Nano AR II groups

Dimensions

Size | Diameter
98 mm / 3.86 in
Size | Length
137 mm / 5.39 in
Weight
847 g / 29.93 oz

Function

Angle Of View
122.0° Diagonal | 112.6° Horizontal | 90.0° Vertical (wide) ~ 84.1° Diagonal | 73.7° Horizontal | 53.1° Vertical (tele)
Aperture
f/2.8
Autofocus
Yes
Focal Length
12 mm ~ 24 mm
Focus Type
Internal
Image Stabilization
No
Weather Resistance
Yes

Performance

Max Magnification
0.14x

Production

Accessory
Lens hood included
Debut
2020-07-07
Model Name
SEL1224GM

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3rd-Party Review Videos

External Reviews

sonyalpha[1]

Reviewer score 92%
Reviewers from sonyalpha have found the following***:
The Sony 12-24mm F2.8 GM (3300 euros) is certainly the best wide angle zoom you can buy. The only non excellent aspect is the smoothness of the background blur; with is good but not excellent. There is however a big issue on the A7RIV with some AF oscillations in the image, linked I think to the IBIS (sensor image stabilization)
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Excellent sharpness from centre to corners
  • Excellent contrast and color rendition
  • Very low coma => good for astrophotography
Cons
  • Difficult to open at F5.6
  • Some AF oscillations in the image

cameralabs[2]

Reviewer score 89%
Reviewers from cameralabs have found the following***:
Sony FE 12-24mm f2.8 GM is the largest, heaviest, and by far most expensive of the three lenses in this comparison. Focus accuracy and repeatability is critical to consistently produce sharp shots. The zoom ring turns through 60 degrees and has a 17mm wide rubber surface with a good grip. The lens focuses in around 0.6 sec from infinity to 0.35m (1:10 magnification)
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Incredibly bright f2.8 focal ratio
  • Sharpness at 24mm focal length
  • Dust and splash protection
Cons
  • Mediocre focus breathing

pcmag[3]

Reviewer score 90%
Reviewers from pcmag have found the following***:
The Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM is the best wide zoom we've tested for any system. For landscape use, the lens shines at f/5.6 and f/8, and the corners are just shy of tack sharp. This is an especially appealing lens for landscape photographers who love the sunstar effect.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Extremely wide angle of view
  • High-resolution sensors
  • Dust and splash protection
Cons
  • Some distortion at f/2.8

techradar[4]

Reviewer score 88%
Reviewers from techradar have found the following***:
The Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM takes image quality, features and versatility to a new level. The lens is lightweight in the hand and balances well with full-frame E-frame bodies, but at 847g it's not the lightest ultra wideangle lens in the Sony stable. Still, this is a small price to pay for the excellent image quality at 12mm coupled with impressive sharpness. And if you can justify the cost, you won't be disappointed with the results.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Excellent image quality at f/2.8
  • Excellent autofocus
  • Fast and quiet AF
Cons
  • Larger body than other ultra wide-angle lenses
  • Front element is bulbous

digitalpicture[5]

Reviewer score 84%
Reviewers from digitalpicture have found the following***:
Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM Lens has 9 aperture blades vs. 7 in the G lens. The GM lens has a Quad XD Linear AF motor vs. SSM, though it comes with a padded case. If you can afford and carry the Sony lens, take that option as it is a substantial upgrade.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Excellent image quality
  • Excellent build quality
  • Easy to use
Cons
  • 1-stop difference in max aperture

User Reviews

Comments

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References

  1. ^ Sony 12-24mm F2.8 GM. [sonyalpha]. https://sonyalpha.blog/2020/09/13/sony-12-24mm-f2-8-gm/. 2020-09-13. Retrieved 2021-06-06.
  2. ^ Sony FE 12-24mm f2.8 GM review. [cameralabs]. https://www.cameralabs.com/sony-fe-12-24mm-f2-8-gm-review/. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
  3. ^ Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM Review. [pcmag]. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/sony-fe-12-24mm-f28-gm. 2021-04-30. Retrieved 2021-05-01.
  4. ^ Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM review. [techradar]. https://www.techradar.com/reviews/sony-fe-12-24mm-f28-gm. 2020-07-07. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  5. ^ Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM Lens Review. [digitalpicture]. https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sony-FE-12-24mm-f-2.8-GM-Lens.aspx. Retrieved 2022-01-21.

The MSRP provided on this page may not apply to all regions equally. For the current price, please refer to the Price Comparison section.

This page contains affiliate links to third-party merchants such as Amazon, eBay, and Rakuten. When you make a purchase using the supplied links, we will receive a commission.

Scores are not directly comparable across industries.

These key takeaways ("pros" and "cons") and summaries are identified from third-party reviews. They may differ from the original texts.

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