Sony 24-70mm GM II vs Nikon vs Canon - is this the ONE?

Sony has released the second version of their G Master 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom lens. I've had a chance to work with this lens for a few weeks now and in this video I'm going to compare it not only with the original version, but also the Nikon and Canon mirrorless zoom lenses of the same focal range.

The results will surprise you.

0:00 Intro
0:44 Why a 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Version II?
1:46 Physical Buttons and Features
3:32 Sony 24-70 GM II Sample Images
4:13 New Presets
5:31 What is a Field Map?
6:55 Why a 24-70mm Zoom Lens Is Hard To Design
8:13 The Original 24-70mm GM Lens
8:29 The New 24-70mm GM II
9:12 How the Nikon Performs
9:33 How the Canon Performs
10:09 Which Lens Is Right For You?

On my channel you will find videos about photography, cinematography, post processing tutorials for Capture One, Lightroom and Photoshop, photo assignments that YOU can participate in, the Artist Series and more. The Artist Series is an ongoing set of videos I produce as documentaries on living photographers. I am extremely passionate about photography and video and my goal in making these videos is to share my passion and enthusiasm with you! Don’t forget to subscribe and make sure to hit the like button and share this video if you enjoyed it!

Ted Forbes
The Art of Photography
2830 S. Hulen, Studio 133
Fort Worth, TX 76109
US of A

[datdudeinred]

This is why I love your channel. No one literally compared them like you did. Bravo 👏🏻

[KurtisPape]

I only just got the 24-105mm a few months back only because the original 24-70mm was huge and heavy. But I sort of regret the 105 now because this new lens would suit me perfect.

[andreasstein]

Is it really that useful to compare 24-70mm lenses from different companies? I mean, aside vom professionals, most users will use one brand. Especially when it comes to that pricy lenses. I guess the big, great, holy algorithm needs to be feed...

[JacobChristiansen]

What happened to the claims that a larger mount would result in smaller lenses? Sony has the smallest mount and the smallest lenses.

[lorenzogattaldo]

Before falling too deeply in love with the lens mapping method, don't forget that curvature of field (as well as sharpness, for that matter) can change *a lot* - shape and extent - depending on the tested distance. The tests you run photographing the floor can be very useful, but they are limited to the relatively close distance you focus at. Don't think they're necessarily valid for, say, landscapes at infinity.

[JsGarage]

Nice comparison. I think the real question is Sigma vs GM2 24-70. I like how the GM2 is more compact. The sigma 24-70 makes nice images but I do notice the weight on the front of camera. I ran the R6 with 24-70 RF and it is nice but definitely large. I didn’t see the over-a-thousand-dollar$ cost difference compared to Sony and Sigma combo. Seems the body stabilization in the Sony is enough for my uses to not care that much about the lens lacking it. On Canon R6 I got weird warping in video having the combined stabilization and didn’t recall gaining much low shutter use to justify for stills. I can see the overall light package of Sony and GM2 24-70 being very appealing.

[harryvuemedia]

I'm watching tons of review videos on this new GM 24-70mm V2 and Im impressed! As an event shooter who primary uses zoom lenses, this new G-Master would be perfect for my collections. Definitely picking one up. Thanks for the review Ted.

[RavesForDays]

How does the Sony 24-70mm GM II compare to their GM 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm prime lenses?

[SilverLarry]

Your omission of the Sigma 24-70 FE is glaring because at less than half the cost it is built as well actually performs better in some metrics than the new lens (less CA, par focal where the Sony is not, has no discernible focus breathing, etc) And it's also sharper and lighter than the original Sony version too.

[TerraThink]

I'm wondering about stabilization. For handheld video, is it worth it go with the bigger and 200g heavier Canon RF 24-70 (with built in stabilization) over the smaller, lighter Sony 24-70 ii?

I'd love to see a handheld stabilization test between Sony A7 IV + Sony 24-70 ii and Canon R5 + Canon RF 24-70.

[johnpeterka]

Thank you for your video!

We are switching from Canon and Fujifilm to either Sony or Nikon. When I examined DXOMARK, it appeared to me that Sony had the higher rated lenses. When we had the Canon R5 and R3, we used the RF 50mm f/1.2, RF 24-70mm f/2.8, RF 100 mm f/2.8, and a RF 70-200 f/2, .8. DXOMARK seems to be more critical of the Canon lenses or they have not tested all the Canon lenses.

What are you thoughts?

[giljesusseraspe]

Man, I never get tired of your channel. It's so refreshing as well as educational. I wish I still have my Sony A9. That's the last camera that I ever bought and was sold during the Pandemic. Good luck to your amazing channel. Love from Cebu City, Philippines.

[loldart]

Likely would stick with the sony GM II. Small and lighter is better for travel. Found the original GM to be to heavy for my trip in Italy 2020. Did the job however something lighter and small would make it much easier.

[RichardSilvius]

Huge kudos to Sony for making it so much smaller.... the smaller/lighter bodies of mirrorless cameras are meaningless if the lenses continue getting bigger and heavier as they have been.

[jbello]

It's so tempting to buy it... I have a bunch of primes that I'm tired of switching every second 😂😂😂 I couldn't agree more about this video

[MeAMuse]

I think I am going to go and buy your presets. First presets I have heard of which are not like "make your photos look like mine!" I honestly dont want to look like any other photographers.... but to put a look on it.... that is based on a film... hell yes. Go make me some crazy ones like the Ilford 400. Hope others like this idea like I do and it is worth you making more! In terms of this lens.... I still go back to one of your podcasts where you talked about how modern lenses are all about sharpness and not about "a feel".... For me I recognize that most people cant really tell the difference in these lenses if you show images side by side (especially without blowing them up huge), and that if you think a more optically perfect lens is somehow going to make your photos better.... go for it.... I doubt I will buy it to replace my Sigma 24-70 (which it's biggest problem is that it zooms the wrong way).... but I can still take amazing photos with my optically terrible, scratched 24-240mm. Give me the feels, and interesting lenses any

[Robboa]

Excellent and informative - and educational.

[thewin]

could you make these presets in Luminar NEO?

[fuzzytalz]

In your field curvature visualization test, what distance are you focusing the lenses to? Is it the same for each lens tested?

[kibbsnowden]

You should test the Canon 28-70 f2 lens, I like to see how it pans out. I heard some really incredible thing about it...;)