DxOMark’s recent review of the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II gives the lens an overall score of 39, beating out the Nikon, Canon and Sigma 24-70mm lenses across the board. “Like the recently updated FE 70-200mm F2.8, the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is used to showcase the company’s most advanced lens technology and this focal ratio will appeal to a wide range of photographers,” they write. Pairing it with the Sony Alpha 7R IV, they tested the second-generation lens and compared the results to the others in its class.

DxOMark’s review of the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II vaults the lens to the top of the ranks of mid-size zooms, leaping past Nikon, Canon & Sigma. 

The reviewers point out that high-speed wide angle zooms can greatly vary in performance across the zoom range, especially at their initial aperture…but that’s not the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. “The new Sony GM II challenges that and has only a marginal difference from the wide to the tele end,” they write. “Sharpness is also very high throughout the zoom range and it has very good to excellent uniformity, with greatly reduced astigmatic-like behavior over its predecessor. The improvement is particularly noticeable over the widest and longest focal lengths where the original GM model exhibited quite high levels.”

Sony shooters have long had a love affair with the first generation, the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master, and Dx0Mark writes the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II takes that greatness up to a new level in their conclusion. “High-speed F2.8 zooms like this have been used to showcase the best in technology since the type was introduced, but rarely do we see such a considered and thorough overhaul between versions. With this update, Sony has revamped just about everything they could. With all of the enhancements, many would have been satisfied with it equaling its predecessor in optical performance; however, the result is not only the smallest and lightest of its type, but Sony has also raised the bar optically. Given the similar price range (at launch) and the overall improvements, the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is a solid choice over the original and highly attractive option for Sony users or indeed anyone considering the Sony system.”

See the complete test results and read the full review HERE.