Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS (SEL24105G) - Review / Test Report |
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Review by Klaus Schroiff, published January 2018
Introduction
Sony users can choose between a wide variety of different lens options nowadays but selecting a standard zoom lens has been somewhat tricky so far.
Sure, there's the mighty Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM but price-wise it's beyond the reach of most users. The Zeiss FE 24-70mm f/4 OSS
is a good shot ... on paper ... but it fails to deliver really. And the Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS kit zoom lens ... well ...
So the thing is - there's an urgent need for something good and reasonably affordable in their standard zoom lens lineup and maybe
the new Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS is capable of filling that gap. It is a member of Sony's G lineup - or "semi-pro" grade if like. It adds some extra
range over the 24-70mm f/2.8 GM and gives up an f-stop. For many users, that's probably a sweet spot in this segment and at around 1300USD/EUR
it's at least not painfully expensive by today's pricing standards at least (...).
The build quality may be a tad below what GM lenses are offering but it's still up to professional standards. The construction is a combination
of high-quality plastics based on a metal mount. The zoom and focus rings operate smoothly. Typical for such lenses, it extends when zooming
out to the long end of the range but there's no wobbling of the inner lens tube even when fully extended. The lens is also dust- and moisture
resistant. A petal-shaped lens hood is also part of the package.
The AF system relies on Sony's Direct Drive SSM (DDSSM) which is pretty fast and silent. Focus accuracy is usually spot on.
As usual manual focusing works "by-wire". This may not be everybody's taste but we have no issue with this. A focus hold button
is also provided.
The lens does, obviously, feature an image stabilizer (OSS). We haven't found any official figures about its efficiency but we'd rate it
around the 3 f-stop mark. Your mileage may vary here depending on the degree of coffee intake during breakfast.
Specifications |
Optical construction | 17 elements in 14 groups inc. 3x ED, 4x aspherical elements |
Number of aperture blades | 9 (circular) |
min. focus distance | 0.38m (1:3.2) |
Dimensions | 83.4 x 113.3mm |
Weight | 663g |
Filter size | 77 |
Hood | petal-shaped, bayonet mount, supplied |
Other features | Focus-hold button, weather sealing, Nano AR coating |
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