Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G is a very suitable product for those who require good quality, sufficient zoom focal length but with a compact size.
Perhaps those of you who “play” with Sony Full-Frame cameras and want a compact and lightweight zoom lens with a slightly larger aperture (previously it was all f/4), this product has only appeared now. It was created not only for daily use, for everything, you can take it to cafes, travel, chat with friends or simply take a tour around the city to take photos. , filming, street photography but also fills the only missing gap of Sony.
And they call this a “standard zoom” lens. To make it easier to imagine, just like regular phones with 1X and 2X focal lengths are somewhere equivalent to 24mm and 50mm on this lens.
However, this is not a cheap product, the $1100 figure that Sony offers will make many people nervous. Some of you asked me if this product is included in the company’s Kit list sold with a Full-frame body or not, the answer is difficult. Fix the large aperture, the price is a bit high but the focal length is not too long, then those who fit the criteria below should think about the Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G.
1. You need a compact lens!
It weighs only 440gr, is 92.3mm long (less than 10cm) and makes me feel really comfortable when holding it on the street, taking photos or filming videos. Maybe because I’m old and weak, I’m a bit bored with big, heavy and long lenses, unless I have to put myself in special situations, like photographing birds and egrets with 300mm focal lengths.
But although small, the 24-50mm f/2.8 G still has a full aperture adjustment ring, Fn button to maintain focus, zoom out ring (slightly reversed when the default is 50mm, the new zoom out is 24mm), AF/MF switch, Click ON/OFF switch for smooth filming and focus ring. Speaking of the focus ring, this is one of the things I quite like about this product. You don’t have to turn the stroke too long, but just release it and stop, very sensitive.
Going to a cafe with friends, sitting and talking can be easily carried.
2. Good photo quality
The sharp lines are a bit exaggerated, but to confirm that this lens provides high detail even at the largest aperture of f/2.8, I confirm that the FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G can do it. Almost all of the images in this article were kept at maximum aperture. Through my tests, the best aperture is still from f/4 to f/11, the image will be detailed from the center to the edges.
ISO 6400 at 24mm focal length ISO 6400 at 50mm focal length K temperature is 3100.
2.1. Flare and ghosting
I like the ability of this product to close the aperture deeply, up to f/22 and what it brings is impressive to me. However, for the best look, you should just close from f/11 to f/16. The hexagonal rings appear but it doesn’t make me too uncomfortable. And of course, the rays came out evenly and beautifully.
Focal length 24mm
Focal length 50mm, I set slow speed to avoid noise
2.2. Black and soft border
Because this product does not have Profile Correction, at 24mm focal length, I will not comment. As for the 50mm focal length, I am really surprised and it is no exaggeration to say that you can maximize the quality when using this focal length. The black border is there but you have to look closely to see it and is almost immediately eliminated at f/4.
The soft phenomenon will appear when you cross the threshold of f/11 at the edge and increases at f/16 to f/22.
2.3. Closest focus distance (like macro)
This is one of the things that impresses me with the focusing distance of the FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G, especially at the 24mm focal length. When you watch the clip, you can see that you are so close to the mannequin that you feel like you are touching it. 18cm at 24mm focal length and 29cm at 50mm focal length with manual focus. Correspondingly, it is 19cm or 30cm with manual focus.
Close up with 35mm focal length Close up with 24mm focal length So when calculating from the sensor to the object I need to focus with 24mm focal length, the distance is only 6.5cm.
3. Fast focusing in both AF-S and AF-C modes
In the video, I tested the focusing ability so you can imagine how fast and sensitive this lens is. This is especially important for cameramen. Especially for those who specialize in vlogging, recording daily life, making tiktok travel videos, it is too useful. Although it doesn’t have the Linear XD motor, the 24-50mm f/2.8 G still works well with the new A9 III and is still capable of shooting 120fps.
Easy for you to take photos of your pets in a snap.
4. Finishing is very good
Sony says that what you get when you own a lens like the 24-50mm f/2.8 G will be equivalent to the early GM lenses and I believe this when I hold it in my hand . The joints are made of interstitial glass to protect against dust and water. The rubber part seems to attract less dirt and comes with a rough plastic material that will always keep its appearance clean.
In more detail, I spent about 15 minutes fiddling with the aperture dial, pushing the buttons or Fn on the lens to see if there was a difference in speed or bounce. Luckily, the answer is and no.
Conclude:
I really like Sony’s recent products, not too noisy and flamboyant, it meets everyone’s common needs. If you need a larger focal length, you can think of 20-70 f/4 G, but if you want to increase the aperture, this 24-50mm f/2.8 is extremely reasonable. Compact, large aperture, fast, smooth focus, good finishing and above all, beautiful image quality are the advantages I can mention.
