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Sony

FE 20-70mm F4 G

Sony E Mount

FE 20-70mm F4 G — 20–70mm f/4 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$1,099

Launch price

Released Jan 2023

vs

Sony

FE 24-50mm F2.8 G

Sony E Mount

FE 24-50mm F2.8 G — 24–50mm f/2.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$1,299

Launch price

Released Apr 2024

FE 24-50mm F2.8 G is 1.3 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

FE 20-70mm F4 G

LandscapeTravel

Wins

4categories

FE 24-50mm F2.8 G

LandscapeSports & Action

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 20-70mm F4 G wins 3 categories·FE 24-50mm F2.8 G wins 2 categories
  • AFE 20-70mm F4 G has higher Max magnification (0.39 × vs 0.25 ×)
  • BFE 24-50mm F2.8 G has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/4)
  • BFE 24-50mm F2.8 G has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/4)
  • AFE 20-70mm F4 G has lower Min focus distance (30 cm vs 38 cm)
  • AFE 20-70mm F4 G has lower Length (99 mm vs 112 mm)

Key specs at a glance

FE 20-70mm F4 GFE 24-50mm F2.8 G
Focal Length20-70 mm24-50 mm
Max Aperturef/4f/2.8
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight488 g440 g
Min Focus30 cm38 cm
Filter Size72 mm67 mm

Size and weight, to scale

FE 20-70mm F4 G

76 × 99 mm

488 g (1.08 lb / 17.21 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

FE 24-50mm F2.8 G

70 × 112 mm

440 g (0.97 lb / 15.52 oz)

FE 20-70mm F4 G is 13mm shorter and 6mm wider than FE 24-50mm F2.8 G.

FE 20-70mm F4 G is 48 g heavier than FE 24-50mm F2.8 G.

Diameter (⌀) is the maximum barrel width; length is measured from the mount to the front of the lens.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseFE 20-70mm F4 GFE 24-50mm F2.8 G
Portrait
1.0Limited
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
5.5Fair
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
5.0Fair
Landscape
8.0Excellent
7.0Good
Travel
7.0Good
5.0Fair
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
2.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the FE 20-70mm F4 G

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 Aspherical, 1 ED, 1 Super ED

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.39 × vs 0.25 × — higher is better

  • Length

    99 mm vs 112 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 24-50mm F2.8 G

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 24-50mm F2.8 G supports it

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Weight

    440 g vs 488 g — lower is better

  • Diameter

    70 mm vs 76 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

FE 20-70mm F4 G

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Sony E mount compatibility

Cons

  • No optical stabilization — relies on body IBIS
  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance

FE 24-50mm F2.8 G

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Sony E mount compatibility

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the FE 20-70mm F4 G and FE 24-50mm F2.8 G at major authorized retailers.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

FE 20-70mm F4 G
FE 24-50mm F2.8 G
Focal length (Min)
20 mm
24 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/4
f/2.8+1 stop wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/4
f/2.8+1 stop wider
Elements
16
16
Groups
13
12
Special elements
3 Aspherical, 1 ED, 1 Super ED
Aspherical
FE 20-70mm F4 G
FE 24-50mm F2.8 G
Min focus distance
30 cm−8 cm less
38 cm
Max magnification
0.39 ×+56%
0.25 ×
Autofocus motor
2 XD Linear Motors
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
FE 20-70mm F4 G
FE 24-50mm F2.8 G
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
FE 20-70mm F4 G
FE 24-50mm F2.8 G
Weight
488 g
440 g−48 g less
Length
99 mm−13 mm less
112 mm
Diameter
76 mm
70 mm−6 mm less
Filter thread size
72 mm
67 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
7
9
FE 20-70mm F4 G
FE 24-50mm F2.8 G
Lens mount
Sony E
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.