Sony 20-70 vs 24-70 vs 24-105 // Which should you get?

In this video we look at 3 different all in one lenses, the Sony 20-70 F4, 24-70 F2.8 GM MKII and the 24-105 F4 G OSS, comparing all three, explaining the differences and helping you decide which one you may want to get.

0:00 - Intro to the lenses
0:43 - Size comparison
1:01 - Focal length differences 20 vs 24
1:57 - Preview of video i'm working on
3:34 - F4 vs F2.8
4:43 - OSS (Optical Steady shot) and Active Steadyshot
6:40 - Sharpness and Pixel Peeping
9:39 - Focus Breathing
11:15 - Autofocus (AF) for Video
12:54 - Aperture Blades and Price
14:06 - Weight comparisons
14:46 - Other Lens comparisons (Design + Build)
18:11 - So which should you get?

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[walkingchopsticks]

Thanks for showing the difference in focal length in the real world. A lot of reviewers don’t show the difference in real time

[ScyllaWyrm]

Absolutely love the 24-105. I might get a 20mm f1.8 for specific shots eventually, but for now I'm settled with the versatile and cinematic 24-105.

[laurenthenry]

Honestly on the Fx3 OSS is a big change even with active stabilization. Sent my 28-70 Sigma back and bought a 24-105mm for that reason only.

[Thunderbird]

Definitely the 20-70 f4. The focal length range and the small size are just the perfect "always-on" package for traveling/ cities/ landscapes. 20-70 is just genious. It's a pity that there are no alternatives from Sigma or Tamron yet.

[SourPlanet]

Awesome breakdown. Perfectly done. I think it will help a lot of people. 24-105 vs 20-70 is such a tough choice too. There are two things I keep going back to.

One, missing 30 on the long end often doesn't cost you a shot. You can still grab your subject, it just may not be as tightly framed as you want. Maybe a bit less bokeh, maybe the compression is lacking. But you will get the shot. 20mm however.. is not a matter of a step back like people say. Plus, sometimes the fact you can't step back is a major deal. Particularly in interiors or cities.

Two, many bodies can somewhat compensate for the loss of 70-105 via aps-c mode. It's not a perfect replacement (crop is not a focal change, of course) but in a pinch it can make a difference.

I'm starting to lean towards ditching my 16-35 and 24-105 for just the 20-70. Maaaaybe. Love both those lenses.

[VincenteArt]

I have owned the 24-105 and now have the 24-70 GMii and have owned the gm1 before that. It’s not just about focal length, it’s the actual quality of image. The GMii is the best, 20mm isn’t a big enough difference really, and the 105mm is pretty amazing and more useful than I thought it would be. Still, the micro contrast and color rendition of the GM just puts it a step ahead of the other two.

[dlun]

Dude, you are the only one in youtube have the guts to do a comparison between the 20-70 and the 24-70, huge respect!

[Princeton_James]

I got the 20-70 and it is one of my favorite sony lenses. I compared it against the 24-50 2.8 and I'll definitely be returning the 24-50. The 2.8 doesnt create a noticable difference and neither does the size/weight or bokeh. I also own the 24-105 and Ive had it longer than the 20-70 but im constantly reaching for thr 20-70.

[JustAaronJoshua]

I love the 24-105mm with OSS. I’ve paired it with the Sony a7IV and man the footage I get is *almost as good as a gimbal.

[Xetenor]

This is a great review for all these 3 lenses that many landscape photographers are looking at I am sure. Makes me be very happy that I own the 24-70 GM II (after going thru 3 copies to get a excellent copy sadly). Everyone is going to have different needs and budgets so not everyone will agree that one lens is better in every way. I also own the sigma 24-70 2.8 dg dn lens that I've gotten so many great images with. The new 24-70 GM II is even better than the sigma in so many ways especially in wide open and corner performance in almost all focal lengths. Also think about size and weight. Right now my absolute fav combo for when I go out to shoot landscape is my 20 1.8G + 24-70 2.8 GM II + 70-200 2.8 GM II (damn do I love this lens!). I also do have the 16-35 GM that I adore as well. All 3 takes same size filters (use a step up filter for the 20 1.8) which is important as my 82mm filters are expensive.

What I also noticed about the GM II is that it renders things at infinity REALLY well which is an important aspect for landscape photographers. Also one thing to consider is sample variation which has always annoyed the living crap out of me. I've always had to test 2 or 3 copies of a lens to get a better copy that is still happening in 2023. I wish this was improved. Happy shooting everyone with whatever lens you go with!

[spacefarer]

Really appreciate this side by side, great "real world" comparison of the features people care about. I'd love to see more content like this, but it would be helpful to put more words on the screen during the tabletop discussion(e.g. list the numbers like you did for the weights). Sometimes you're picking up and setting down lenses so fast it felt like the shell game and I couldn't tell which lens you were talking about! Again, thanks for the comparison!

[benjaminjacobs]

Your comments on the minimum focus are slightly incorrect. The 2470GMii has it's minimum focus of 0.21m at 24mm focal length and is 0.3m at 70mm. The 2070G is the opposite. It has a closer minimum focal distance at the long end of its zoom range, 0.25m at 70mm. This makes the 2070G able to make a larger image of a subject (macro-type image), not because it is a closer minimum focal distance overall but because that minimum distance is when the subject is larger in the field.

[WilliamAbbate]

Great video Chris. I was looking at the 20-70 but think I’ll stick with my 24-105 a bit longer now that you have shown the real world difference. I do like the 80 to 100 more for portraits, where 70 is just a bit too short. The bokeh at 80-105 f4 is really good imo, virtually the same as my 100 2.8 prime for portraits.

[TXTundra-exbw]

24-105 with my A7IV along with 50mm 1.2 GM that’s usually all I need

[digitalclips]

Happy to stick with the 24-105mm; I also have the 14-24mm Sigma Art if I need 20mm.

[tjdultra]

A stabilized 24-105mm F/4 hands down is the best all-rounder for travel and hybrid stills/video use. Sometimes you'll find that the focal plane of f/4 is wider and more comfortable thus helps with autofocus. Oh crap, I shoot Canon btw. 🤣

[JimIBobIJones]

Depends what your loadout is? If you are taking a 70-200 as well then the additional reach on the 24-105 is wasted and you have a bigger/heavier lens. But if you are going one lens only, then the 24-105 is going to give you the most versatility.

If you are only carrying telephoto lenses, then the f2.8 constant on the GM is going to make a big difference, but if you are using the standard zoom to supplement prime lenses, then f4 is good enough and you are better off saving some money with the F4 options.

You also have the old 24-70mm Zeiss, which is significantly more compact and has OSS. It has a bad rep but its on par with the "G" lenses - people were annoyed because its not quite good enough for the Zeiss label. I usually take the Zeiss 24-70 f4 + the 70-200mm f4 along with the 50mm f1.2 GM and the Laowa APSC 9mm f2.8 (just because its tiny and fun lens that stows away pretty much anywhere).


If I am just carrying one lens, I actually go APSC and take the 18-105 f.4 G. A lot more range (27-160mm equivalent) for a lot less space and 26mp in crop mode is good enough.

[apaajaayo]

I Have Sony 24-105 F4 and sigma 24-70 F2.8, then sold the 24-70 because of weight, dust issue and versatility. The 24-105 is Great Lens with OSS inside which 90 percent live in my camera body. Its a Great Arsenal

[mattwruff]

I love my 35-150 Tamron, but I also have the 16-35 GM, A customer returned a Tamron 28-74, and being that he a good longtime customer I let him even though I could not return it but I rarely use it. Because for most of my interviews, I use my Fujinon- MK 18-55 Super 35 (on my FX30)

[nomad-media]

This is the best real world test I've seen for these lenses. Thank you!