Review

Sony FE 24–50 mm f/2.8 G: a compact f/2.8 zoom that sacrifices the long end

A standard f/2.8 zoom that gives up the long end to weigh 255 g less than the 24–70 mm GM II. When it's a good deal and when you'll miss the range beyond 50 mm.

Sony FE24-50mmcestovní zoomstandardní zoombazar fototechniky

For years, an f/2.8 standard zoom meant just one thing: 24–70 mm and nearly 700 g around your neck. In 2024, Sony offered a different take – the FE 24–50 mm f/2.8 G drops the long end and in exchange weighs only 440 g.

The difference compared to the 24–70 mm GM II is 255 g, roughly a quarter of a kilo, which you really do feel over a full day of walking.

What the shorter range means in practice

The 24–50 mm range covers most of the situations people buy a standard zoom for: landscapes and architecture at the wide end, group shots, events, food on the table, and full-length portraits at 50 mm.

You lose the 50–70 mm range, the classic range for medium-shot portraits. If you photograph people professionally, you use this range all the time and will miss it. If you shoot travel, cityscapes and family, you often won't even notice – and when you do, you take two steps forward.

The specs that matter

constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the range
weight 440 g, filter diameter 67 mm
minimum focus distance 19 cm and up to 0.33× magnification, so it can handle near-macro shots too
16 elements in 13 groups, including two ED and four aspherical elements
two linear focus motors, an aperture ring and a customizable button
dust and moisture resistance

Thanks to the short minimum focus distance and f/2.8, this zoom is surprisingly good for details too. A 0.33× magnification is more than most standard zooms offer, and in practice it replaces a separate lens for product and food shots.

Comparison: 24–50 G, 24–70 GM II, Tamron 28–75 G2

You'll decide mainly by weight and by where you need the range:

24–50 mm f/2.8 G – 440 g, the smallest and lightest, but it stops at 50 mm
24–70 mm f/2.8 GM II – 695 g, full range and top-notch optics, but the highest price
Tamron 28–75 mm f/2.8 G2 – 540 g, a longer telephoto end, but it only starts at 28 mm

If you miss 24 mm on the Tamron and don't want to carry the GM, the 24–50 G is exactly the compromise that's left.

Who it's for

It suits travelers, video creators and anyone who shoots every day and wants a light kit. It also works as a second lens for a body that normally wears a prime.

It doesn't suit portrait photographers who work in the 50–70 mm range, or sports and wildlife, where reach is what counts.

What to watch out for when buying used

Run through the entire zoom range and listen – the barrel must move smoothly, without creaking or play.
Test focusing at the minimum distance, roughly 19 cm (measured from the sensor).
Check the aperture ring and customizable button for play.
Inspect the mount and its rubber gasket – this lens is made to be carried around a lot.
The lens has been on the market since 2024, so most units are still under warranty – ask for proof of purchase.

Conclusion

The Sony FE 24–50 mm f/2.8 G isn't a replacement for a 24–70 mm, but a deliberate compromise. You trade twenty millimeters at the long end for a quarter of a kilo less in your bag and a noticeably shorter barrel. For travel, video and everyday shooting, it's a good deal. For professional portrait work, it isn't.