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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
AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE

Viltrox

AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE

Sony E Mount

AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE — 85mm f/1.4 for Sony E, a popular choice in the viltrox lineup.

$799

Launch price

Released Mar 2024

AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE is 1.9 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

★ Landscape★ Sports & Action

Wins

4categories

AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE

★ Portrait★ Sports & Action

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II wins 3 categories·AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE wins 2 categories
  • AFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Min focus distance (21 cm vs 79 cm)
  • AFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has higher Max magnification (0.32 × vs 0.13 ×)
  • BAF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.4 vs f/2.8)
  • BAF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.4 vs f/2.8)
  • AFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Weight (695 g vs 800 g)

Key specs at a glance

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM IIAF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE
Focal Length24-70 mm85 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.4
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameFull-Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight695 g800 g
Min Focus21 cm79 cm
Filter Size82 mm77 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

AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE shown to scale

AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE

⌀85 × 109 mm

800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz)

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is 12mm longer and 4mm wider than AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE.

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is 105 g lighter than AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE.

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 IIAF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE
Portrait
4.5Fair
9.5Excellent
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
3.5Limited
Landscape
7.0Good
4.0Fair
Travel
5.5Fair
2.0Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
0.0Limited

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 79 cm — lower is better

  • ✓

    Control ring

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

  • ✓

    Custom function button

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

  • ✓

    Max magnification

    0.32 × vs 0.13 × — higher is better

  • ✓

    Weight

    695 g vs 800 g — lower is better

Reasons to choose the AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE

  • ✓

    Special elements

    Adds 1 Aspherical, 3 ED, 2 HR

  • ✓

    Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.4 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • ✓

    Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.4 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • ✓

    Length

    108.5 mm vs 120 mm — lower is better

  • ✓

    Diameter

    84.5 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

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

AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE

Pros

  • ✓Bright f/1.4 aperture for low light and subject separation
  • ✓Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • ✓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 24-70mm F2.8 GM II and AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE at major authorized retailers.

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE

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Full specifications

✓ = category winner

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
85 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
85 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/1.4✓+2 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/1.4✓+2 stops wider
Elements
20
15
Groups
15
11
Special elements
2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED, 2 Super ED
1 Aspherical, 3 ED, 2 HR
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE
Min focus distance
21 cm✓−58 cm less
79 cm
Max magnification
0.32 ×✓2.5× more
0.13 ×
Autofocus motor
4 XD Linear Motors
Linear STM
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE
Weight
695 g✓−105 g less
800 g
Length
120 mm
108.5 mm✓−12 mm less
Diameter
88 mm
84.5 mm✓−4 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
11
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE
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.