Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G
Announced February 21, 2024
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G is a compact, lightweight, and high-performing zoom lens that offers professional-grade optics and a constant f/2.8 aperture. While its limited focal range may not suit every photographer, it serves as an excellent, portable alternative to larger, more expensive standard zooms.
Weighted from 32 reviewer scores
Pros
- Fast, silent, and accurate autofocus
- Excellent optical performance and sharpness
- Compact and lightweight design
- Professional build quality with weather sealing
- Versatile controls including a de-clickable aperture ring
Cons
- Limited focal range compared to standard zooms
- High levels of distortion and vignetting at wide angles
- Reverse zoom design and lack of aperture lock
- Noticeable focus breathing
- Expensive price point
- Launch price $1,099 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 24-50mm f/2.8
- Mount & coverage Sony E Full-Frame
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 19 cm (0.3x)
- Filter thread 67mm
- Autofocus motor Two linear motors
- Weight & size 440g · 74.8 x 92.3 mm (2.94 x 3.63 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 32 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- PetaPixel 5.5/10
Although decent optically and compact, the scope of the Sony 24-50mm f/2.8 is limited.
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[...] I think this is a great lens. There's nothing miraculous about it and I think for some people, it's not too exciting, but I think if you're somebody that lives in that 24-50mm zone, you are gonna look at this lens and say, "Hey!
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When the 24-50mm focal length range is sufficient, the Sony FE 24-50mm F2.8 G Lens is an excellent choice for those looking for a compact, lightweight, affordable, and high-performing lens.
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[T]his is the first Sony lens in a long time which I can't quite recommend simply because of its inappropriate price.
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The Sony FE 24-50mm 2.8 G is still a very good lens by itself though, so if the combination of fast f/2.8 aperture, somewhat restricted zoom range but starting at 24mm and small size are what you are looking for, I am sure you will be happy with it.
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If you're prepared to trade some telephoto reach in exchange for a fast F2.8 aperture in a compact and lightweight design, then the new FE 24-50mm F2.8 G is well worth considering.
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The premium Sony FE 24-50mm F2.8 G packages a fast focus motor and excellent optics into a lightweight design, but its narrow focal coverage makes the zoom lens less convenient than others.
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[T]he Sony FE 24-50mm F2.8 G is highly competent and is a decent everyday lens for video and photography.
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Actually, I was really impressed with those results, and I would consider those professional level results, and I would not hesitate to shoot backlit portraits with this, which I would with a lens like the 24-105mm f/4 G.
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I'm going to narrow it down to this: it is a very awesome upgrade from a kit lens on a camera. You'll absolutely notice a difference in image quality.
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It's not going to suit everyone, but Sony's market is so big that it's fine.
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It is weird and it's not a bad weird; it's a fantastic lens both optically and performance-wise and I really believe this is going to be the start of something really interesting in the future, but we'll talk more about that later.
- Photography News 8/10
The Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G feels like a modern classic in the making – a compact, reliable, high-quality zoom that covers most real-world scenarios.
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For any guys out there shooting a run and gun, needing a light setup, something a little bit more affordable than the G Master 2 but still need professional quality, check out the Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G.
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[V]ersatility and value because remember to get this kind of optical quality normally you have to shell out the money for a GM badge lens which let's face it we're looking at 2,000 plus for the most [...]
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If you travel a lot and you have a full-frame Sony camera and you're looking for a lens that's not heavy at all, that's compact and kind of does it all, the Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G lens is the lens to get.
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It's a very useful focal range and I don't really feel myself needing more than 50 most of the time, especially out here, and I would actually prefer the physical size to be smaller like it is in this rather than the 24-70mm GM.
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This definitely can be a lens that could just be the only lens that you take out because has all of the features that you need in a small compact form.
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[T]his lens in combination with Sony's A7 series, most especially the A7C, [is] the best at what it does in the business irrespective of price.
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This FE 24-50mm f/2.8 is a great little wide zoom.
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The 24-50mm f/2.8 G lens is a very capable lens and produces incredibly sharp images.
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This compact lens fills a niche, which can’t be filled without significantly higher costs of a 24-70mm f/2.8 GM lens, or similar option. Whether using the Sony 24-50mm f/2.8 lens on a full-frame or APS-C format camera you can expect superb results for both stills and video.
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So if you're looking for the versatility of a standard zoom lens and you don't need that extra reach between 50 and 70 in your focal length and you want something that's light to carry around, this is definitely a lens you should consider.
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Anyway guys, short, sweet, to the point, it's a phenomenal lens, pick it up, I think you're going to like it for the price point.
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If I was going to have one zoom lens and I was going to travel somewhere with it and wanted to have a really lightweight compact package that I could do both photo and video with, that's where this thing is absolutely going to shine [...]
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If that sounds like you, or you want something that doesn't sacrifice image quality for the sake of a very small form factor, I don't think you can go wrong with this lens.
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The image quality on this lens is great; it's not quite as nice as the G Master version 2 24-70mm, but it's still right up there, and the general consensus seems to be that it's better than the G Master version one of that same lens.
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Ultimately, this is a good lens, and I think that it probably will be quite popular for those who are looking to travel light and still have excellent optics and a good usable focus range, or zoom range I should say.
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If you’re a wedding filmmaker looking for an ultra compact and lightweight lens that hits two of the best focal lengths in my opinion, 24 and 50mm, while also performing very well as an all around lens that works fantastically on a gimbal or handheld, this 24-50 is a great [...]
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The Sony FE 24-50mm F2.8 G is a new addition to the company’s lineup of high-quality lenses, catering to photographers who need a versatile zoom that can deliver both speed and sharpness.
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So there's there's definitely workarounds, but at the end of the day it's doable and it's perfectly fine to use Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G in professional use as your only 24-50, 24-70 range type of lens for your professional shoots.
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[T]his is a very, very easy lens to recommend.
