Cameraegg Compare logoCameraegg

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 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Sony E Mount

The standard telephoto zoom, completely redesigned to be 29% lighter and significantly sharper.

$2,799

Launch price

Released Oct 2021

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is 6 months newer.

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.

Wins

4categories

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

LandscapeSports & Action

Wins

1categories

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Sports & ActionPortrait

3 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II wins 4 categories·FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II wins 1 categories
  • BFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has higher OIS effectiveness (4.5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • AFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Min focus distance (21 cm vs 40 cm)
  • AFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Length (120 mm vs 200 mm)
  • AFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Weight (695 g vs 1045 g)
  • AFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has higher Max magnification (0.32 × vs 0.3 ×)

Key specs at a glance

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM IIFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Focal Length24-70 mm70-200 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNo4.5 stops
Weight695 g1045 g
Min Focus21 cm40 cm
Filter Size82 mm77 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM IIFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Portrait
4.5Fair
7.5Good
Sports & Action
6.5Good
9.5Excellent
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
7.0Good
Landscape
7.0Good
4.0Fair
Travel
5.5Fair
4.0Fair
Wildlife
3.0Limited
5.5Fair
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
3.5Limited

The verdict

The $500 price gap between these professional lenses is primarily defined by the addition of 4.5 stops of optical image stabilization in the telephoto model.

Choose the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II if you prioritize a lightweight kit for general-purpose shooting, as it weighs only 695g and offers a close minimum focus distance of 21cm.

Choose the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II if your work requires long-distance subjects and steady handheld shots, utilizing its 200mm maximum focal length and 4.5 stops of optical image stabilization.

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 Super ED

  • Control ring

    Only FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II supports it

  • Min focus distance

    21 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

  • Length

    120 mm vs 200 mm — lower is better

  • Weight

    695 g vs 1045 g — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.32 × vs 0.3 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

  • OIS effectiveness

    4.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 XA, 1 Aspherical, 1 Super ED

  • Optical stabilization

    Only FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II supports it

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/2.8

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/2.8

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Diameter

Both 88 mm

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

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 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Pros

  • Extremely lightweight for an f/2.8 telephoto zoom (only 1045g)
  • Virtually instantaneous and silent autofocus with 4 XD Linear motors
  • Stunning optical performance and contrast across entire range
  • Outstanding built-in Optical SteadyShot stabilization
  • Dedicated physical aperture ring with click and lock switches

Cons

  • Very high price tag
  • Lens hood is bulky and can block storage space easily

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II and FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II at major authorized retailers.

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

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 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
70 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
200 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
20
17
Groups
15
14
Special elements
2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED, 2 Super ED
1 XA, 1 Aspherical, 1 Super ED, 2 ED
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Min focus distance
21 cm−19 cm less
40 cm
Max magnification
0.32 ×+7%
0.3 ×
Autofocus motor
4 XD Linear Motors
4 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
4.5 stops
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Weight
695 g−350 g less
1045 g
Length
120 mm−80 mm less
200 mm
Diameter
88 mm
88 mm
Filter thread size
82 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
11
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS 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 May 2026.