The Sony 24-105mm f/4 G is the very definition of versatile. It's like the Swiss Army knife of high-end zooms. It gives photographers and videographers a go-to option that will work when you don't know what great shots the world might put in front of your camera. Because of that versatility, many creatives say it's the lens they would reach for if they could only pack one. Keep reading to get insights into how the Sony 24-105mm f/4 G performs in real-world situations.

See why this is the lens so many leading photographers and hybrid filmmakers keep attached to their cameras to be ready for anything.

Landscape photographer and Sony Artisan Don Smith says the Sony 24-105mm f/4 G is truly one of his workhorse lenses for landscape photography. “If I must go out with one lens, this is usually it,” he says. “The 24-105mm hits the sweet spot so often with my compositions, and even though it is not a GM lens, it should be – it is razor sharp.” See more of his work created with the lens in What’s In My Bag: Go Inside A Landscape Legend's Ultimate Sony Alpha Kit.

Photo by Don Smith. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 24-105mm f/4 G. 1.6-sec., f/16, ISO 100

Sports photographer and Sony Artisan Jean Fruth calls the Sony 24-105mm f/4 G her “walking around lens,” and its versatility makes it a great option for doing just that. “The wide focal length provides so much versatility, allowing me to capture a landscape, a portrait or a tight detail. It’s light enough to carry around for the day/evening and I am ready for the unexpected.” Read more in What’s In My Bag: Jean Fruth’s Sports Photography Kit For Capturing All Things Baseball.

Photo by Jean Fruth. Sony α7R III. Sony 24-105mm f/4 G. 1/500-sec., f/4, ISO 1600

Award-winning portrait photographer Tony Gale calls the Sony 24-105mm f/4 G lens a great all-around lens and one he includes in his kit. “If I need a range from headshots to 3/4 length to full length on one person, the 24-105mm is a fantastic tool for that.” Read more in What’s In My Bag: A Multiple Camera & Lens Setup For Portraits.

Photo by Tony Gale. Sony α7R IV. Sony 24-105mm f/4 G. 1/160-sec., f/5.6, ISO 100

Landscape and travel photographer Rob Phillips used four camera techniques to capture this image with the Sony 24-105mm f/4 G, which he calls, “the perfect do-it-all landscape lens that retains smooth, constant aperture and sharp images.” Learn more in Behind The Shot: Four Camera Techniques To Capture A Setting Sun Star Landscape.

Photo by Rob Phillips. Sony Alpha 7R III. Sony 24-105mm f/4 G. 1/8-sec., f/16, ISO 50

Professional cinematographer and YouTuber Jason Morris uses the Sony 24-105mm f/4 G as his main run-and-gun lens for the Sony FX6 in event videography. “It features OSS which pairs very well with the FX6 and covers a wide focal range when needing to recompose quickly,” he says. Learn more in What’s In My Bag: A Pro Cinematographer & YouTuber's Kit For Video.

Professional cinematographer and YouTuber Jason Morris gear, including the Sony 24-105mm f/4 G

Colorado-based landscape and nature photographer David Erichsen calls the Sony 24-105mm f/4 G lens his unbelievably sharp go-to on hikes or whenever he’s in a situation where he can only take one lens with him. Read more in What’s In My Bag: 3 Zooms & 1 Prime For Landscape & Nature Photography.

Photo by David Erichsen. Sony Alpha 7R III. Sony 24-105 f/4 G. 1/5-sec. f/16, ISO 160

Commercial and landscape photographer Sameer Ahmed also includes the Sony 24-105mm f/4 G in his kit. “For the longest time this was the only lens in my bag, it did everything I wanted it to,” he says. “I have taken it on multiple trips but especially on my trip to Japan this lens came in very handy. It was great for street photography, sunsets, long exposures etc. It’s a perfect travel lens.” Read more in What’s In My Bag: A Compact Kit For Commercial & Landscape Photography.

Photo by Sameer Ahmed. Sony Alpha 7R III. Sony 24-105mm f/4 G. 1/125-sec., f/4, ISO 100. 

Photographer Suwandi Chandra went handheld into Antelope Canyon with his Sony Alpha 7 III, and he knew the Sony 24-105mm f/4 G was the lens he wanted attached to his camera. “The very dusty environment is not suitable to change lenses and the pace they move visitors through the canyon is quite fast so you’re afforded only a short period of time to explore this place, I had attached the Sony 24-105mm f/4 G lens which would give me a good range to work with and save me from having to try a lens change in the canyon. At 24mm, I was able to capture a wider perspective (24mm) inside this very narrow canyon.” Read more in Behind The Shot: Going Handheld In Iconic Antelope Canyon.

Photo by Suwandi Chandra. Sony α7 III. Sony 24-105mm f/4 G. 1/30-sec., f/8, ISO 640