Sony’s zoom trinity of G Master II lenses are pretty much the holy grail that photographers and videographers have been waiting for. We're talking about the 16-35mm f/2.8, the 24-70mm f/2.8, and the 70-200mm f/2.8 – all top-notch, all ready to take your shots from "meh" to "wow." Below we take a closer look at each, with your favorite creators chiming in on why they're a must-have in your kit.
Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II
The 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II is a perfect companion for capturing stunning landscapes, architecture and interiors. Its wide-angle versatility, combined with a constant f/2.8 aperture, ensures fantastic low-light performance. The advanced optics inside make sure your shots are sharp enough to cut through any competition. Plus, it's built to handle dust and moisture, so it's ready to go wherever your adventures take you.
Deep Dive
Why Creators Love It
"This is my favorite and most used lens - I love wide angle for everything from low light landscapes to portraits to action shots. The versatility is unmatched when I'm hiking to remote locations and can only bring one lens. It's light, fast, and captures every bit of light there is. Also, really great to use for self-portraits or video - the focus follows you around no matter what. This lens consistently delivers the results I need." – Violetta Scott, What’s In My Bag: A Hiking Photographer’s Alpha 7R V Kit For Adventure
Photo by Violetta Scott. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II. 5-sec., f/2.8, ISO 3200
"Great for both landscapes and lifestyle shots. It’s a lightweight lens with corner-to-corner sharpness and no chromatic aberration. It’s the perfect lens to really open up an environment." – Mickey Pierre-Louis, What’s In My Bag: The Ultimate Camera Kit For Music & Portrait Shoots
Kendrick Lamar - photo by Mickey Pierre-Louis. Sony Alpha 7R IV. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II.
"Having a versatile lens is so important in landscape photography because you never know what kind of composition you might encounter. I love the 16-35mm because sometimes I need an ultra-wide angle to capture an intimate foreground subject like flowers, but other times a closer crop can make a photo. The Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II does it all and shines across the entire focal length spectrum. I owned version one for years so when the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II came out that was smaller, lighter, sharper and had a closer front element focus distance I was immediately salivating. This lens rarely leaves my Sony Alpha 7 IV body as my go to all-arounder." – Brandt Ryder, What’s In My Bag: A Complete G Master Kit For Landscapes & Astroscapes
Photo by Brandt Ryder. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II. 5-Focus Stacked. .5-sec., f/13, ISO 100 (EXIF ISO 100, f/13, 0.5s x 5 focus stack)
Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II
The 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II is a classic all-rounder, covering a focal range that's a staple for many photographers. Whether you're shooting wide-angle scenes or zooming in for a portrait, this lens delivers stellar image quality. And the handling? Smooth as silk, thanks to customizable controls that let you tweak settings on the fly. It's like having multiple lenses rolled into one. With its fast autofocus and consistent f/2.8 aperture, it's a versatile choice for various shooting scenarios, from events to everyday photography.
Deep Dive
Why Creators Love It
"My workhorse lens is the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. It is very versatile and is probably my favorite travel portrait and street photography lens. It can literally do it all." – Scott Robert Lim, Best Travel Portrait Photography Gear: See What's In Scott Robert Lim’s Bag
Photo by Scott Robert Lim. Sony Alpha 9 III. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/12800-sec., f/2.8, ISO 400
"The 24-70mm serves a few purposes for me. When it comes to video, this is my go-to lens when I need to be able to capture a variety of shots. I love being able to quickly switch from filming a talking head to B roll without having to slow down production with constant lens changes. With this second version of the 24-70mm being smaller and lighter, it has also become my do it all photography lens when I need to pack light or capture moments in everyday life. On a recent trip to Disney Land with my family I only took the Alpha 7R V and 24-70mm. This is the perfect combo for this kind of environment where you don’t always have time to get into the perfect position to take a photo. With the versatility of the 24-70mm I was able to capture a variety of shots without ever slowing down the fun." – Austin Rupp, What’s In My Bag: A Pro-Level Kit For High-End Hybrid Content Creation
“Being able to capture a variety of shots, while being stuck in the same spot, made this parade even more enjoyable.” Photo by Austin Rupp. Sony FX3. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II.
"The GOAT! I absolutely adore this lens, it ticks all the boxes for me that It rarely leaves my camera. The focal lengths are so flexible and it is incredibly sharp that it’s glued to my camera the majority of the time. I’d say that the sharpness is up there with my 24mm prime lens. It's that good. Whether it’s multi-day hikes or commercial photo and video work this lens is with me at all times." – Scott Howes, What’s In My Bag: A Full Pack Of G Masters For Travel & Adventure Storytelling
Photo by Scott Howes. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/500-sec., f/4, ISO 100
Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II
The 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II telephoto lens is a powerhouse for sports, wildlife and portrait photography. It offers a versatile focal range and a wide aperture that excels in low-light situations. The lens is packed with optical innovations, including ED and super ED elements, to suppress chromatic aberrations and enhance image quality. It's also equipped with Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, helping to reduce camera shake in challenging conditions. Its rugged design ensures durability, making it a favorite among professionals who need reliable performance in demanding environments.
Deep Dive
Why Creators Love It
"The Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II is the second generation of Sony’s popular 70-200mm GM series. Lighter, smaller, and sharper, the 70-200mm GM II improves in every possible way compared to the older model. For wildlife photography, a lens like this is critical to have in your gear bag because you often need a fast lens (f/2.8) when subjects end up getting much closer to you than you initially expected." – Colby Brown, What’s In My Bag: Colby Brown’s Alpha 1 II & Alpha 9 III Kit For Wildlife Photography
Photo by Colby Brown. Sony Alpha 1 II. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/400-sec., f/3.2, ISO 1250
"If you’ve never shot at this focal range at f/2.8, you’re missing out. I know this because I never shot with the mark I version, and it wasn’t until last year that I picked this lens up and saw what it could do that I understood how many amazing shots I’d missed out on over the years. I love this lens most with a well-defined subject (like a lone pedestrian or a flower) at f/2.8 and toward the higher end of the focal range. The contrast between a super-sharp subject and a buttery-soft background gives these photos a look I can’t quite achieve with the other lenses in my bag. And while a lot of people might not think of this as a “landscape lens,” it really is. Super-wide vista shots are great, but being able to drill into some of the more interesting details in a cityscape or a natural landscape gives you the ability to create a number of compelling images from a single location." – Mike Meyers, What’s In My Bag: A Complete Sony Alpha Kit For Capturing A Little Bit Of Everything
Photo by Mike Meyers. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/2000-sec., f/2.8, ISO 100
"My favorite topside lens! For wildlife, landscapes, portraits, and anything else, this lens has a permanent spot in my bag. It is extremely sharp and lightweight. I often pair it with the Sony Alpha 1, and I don’t think there is a better combination out there." – Evan Possley, Explore Evan Possley's Gear For Stunning Wildlife & Underwater Photography
Orca in Northern Norway taking a breath. Photo by Evan Possley. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 70-200 f/2.8 G Master II. 1/320-sec., f/5, ISO 640
Sony's G Master II lenses are the cream of the crop, combining cutting-edge technology with the practical needs of photographers. Whether you're capturing expansive vistas, detailed portraits, or fast-moving action, these lenses are designed to help you achieve stunning results. They aren’t just tools – they're your ticket to capturing the world.
Learn more about the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II HERE.
Learn more about the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II HERE.
Learn more about the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II HERE.
