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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

vs
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Sony

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Sony E Mount

The ultimate standard zoom — incredibly sharp, exceptionally compact, and built for professionals.

$2,299

Launch price

Released Apr 2022

FE 24-50mm F2.8 G is 2 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

FE 24-50mm F2.8 G

★ Landscape★ Sports & Action

Wins

2categories

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

★ Landscape★ Sports & Action

3 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 24-50mm F2.8 G wins 3 categories·FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II wins 2 categories
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Min focus distance (21 cm vs 38 cm)
  • AFE 24-50mm F2.8 G has lower Weight (440 g vs 695 g)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has higher Max magnification (0.32 × vs 0.25 ×)
  • AFE 24-50mm F2.8 G has lower Diameter (70 mm vs 88 mm)
  • AFE 24-50mm F2.8 G has lower Length (112 mm vs 120 mm)

Key specs at a glance

FE 24-50mm F2.8 GFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Focal Length24-50 mm24-70 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight440 g695 g
Min Focus38 cm21 cm
Filter Size67 mm82 mm

Size and weight, to scale

FE 24-50mm F2.8 G

⌀70 × 112 mm

440 g (0.97 lb / 15.52 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 24-70mm F2.8 GM II shown to scale

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

⌀88 × 120 mm

695 g (1.53 lb / 24.52 oz)

FE 24-50mm F2.8 G is 8mm shorter and 18mm narrower than FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II.

FE 24-50mm F2.8 G is 255 g lighter than FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II.

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 24-50mm F2.8 GFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Portrait
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
5.0Fair
Landscape
7.0Good
7.0Good
Travel
5.0Fair
5.5Fair
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
2.0Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • ✓

    Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • ✓

    Weight

    440 g vs 695 g — lower is better

  • ✓

    Diameter

    70 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

  • ✓

    Length

    112 mm vs 120 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

  • ✓

    Special elements

    Adds 2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED…

  • ✓

    Min focus distance

    21 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

  • ✓

    Max magnification

    0.32 × vs 0.25 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/2.8

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/2.8

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Custom function button

Both support custom function button

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

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

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Pros

  • ✓Outstanding sharpness across the entire zoom range
  • ✓Remarkably small and lightweight for an f/2.8 zoom
  • ✓Four XD Linear focus motors provide blazing-fast AF tracking
  • ✓Excellent close-up magnification
  • ✓De-clickable aperture ring and customized function buttons

Cons

  • –No built-in optical image stabilization (relies on body IBIS)
  • –High launch price
  • –Aperture ring can be easily bumped if not locked

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the FE 24-50mm F2.8 G and FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II 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 24-50mm F2.8 G
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
24 mm
Focal length (Max)
50 mm
70 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
16
20
Groups
12
15
Special elements
Aspherical
2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED, 2 Super ED
FE 24-50mm F2.8 G
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Min focus distance
38 cm
21 cm✓−17 cm less
Max magnification
0.25 ×
0.32 ×✓+28%
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
4 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
FE 24-50mm F2.8 G
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
FE 24-50mm F2.8 G
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Weight
440 g✓−255 g less
695 g
Length
112 mm✓−8 mm less
120 mm
Diameter
70 mm✓−18 mm less
88 mm
Filter thread size
67 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
FE 24-50mm F2.8 G
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Lens mount
Sony E
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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