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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

vs

Sony

FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS

Sony E Mount

World's lightest 400mm F2.8 — 2895g with 3 fluorite elements, XD Linear AF, and OSS.

$12,000

Launch price

Released Jun 2018

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is 3.8 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

LandscapeSports & Action

Wins

1categories

FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS

Sports & ActionWildlife

2 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II wins 4 categories·FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS wins 1 categories
  • BFE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • AFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Min focus distance (21 cm vs 270 cm)
  • AFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Weight (695 g vs 2895 g)
  • AFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Length (120 mm vs 359 mm)
  • AFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has higher Max magnification (0.32 × vs 0.16 ×)

Key specs at a glance

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM IIFE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS
Focal Length24-70 mm400 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNo5 stops
Weight695 g2895 g
Min Focus21 cm270 cm
Filter Size82 mm40.5 mm

Size and weight, to 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)

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

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS

158 × 359 mm

2895 g (6.38 lb / 102.12 oz)

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is 239mm shorter and 70mm narrower than FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS.

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is 2200 g lighter than FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS.

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 24-70mm F2.8 GM IIFE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS
Portrait
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
10.0Excellent
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
7.0Good
Landscape
7.0Good
4.0Fair
Travel
5.5Fair
2.0Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
9.5Excellent
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
1.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

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 270 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    695 g vs 2895 g — lower is better

  • Length

    120 mm vs 359 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    88 mm vs 158.1 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.32 × vs 0.16 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 Fluorite, 1 ED

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS supports it

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 24-70mm 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

FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II and FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS 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 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
400 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
400 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
20
23
Groups
15
17
Special elements
2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED, 2 Super ED
3 Fluorite, 1 ED
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS
Min focus distance
21 cm−249 cm less
270 cm
Max magnification
0.32 ×2× more
0.16 ×
Autofocus motor
4 XD Linear Motors
2 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
5 stops
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS
Weight
695 g−2,200 g less
2895 g
Length
120 mm−239 mm less
359 mm
Diameter
88 mm−70 mm less
158.1 mm
Filter thread size
82 mm
40.5 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
11
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS
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.