The 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom range is a staple for many professional photographers. With a versatile wide-to-short telephoto range, constant f/2.8 aperture, and excellent image quality, 24-70mm pro zooms are ideal walkaround lenses for events, weddings, portraits, landscapes and more.
Two of the top contenders in this category are the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art and the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II. Both are designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras and deliver outstanding sharpness and bokeh. But they also have some key differences that photographers should consider.
In this head-to-head comparison review, we’ll break down the specs, performance, features and handling of the Sigma 24-70 Art and Sony 24-70 GM II to see how they stack up.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 | Sony 24-70 f/2.8 GM II |
| Mount | L-Mount, Sony E | Sony E |
| Image Stabilization | No | Yes |
| Elements/Groups | 19/15 | 18/16 |
| Aperture Blades | 9 | 11 |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 8.7 in | 8.5 in |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.22x | 0.32x |
| Weather Sealing | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.46 lb | 1.66 lb |
| Price | $1099 | $2298 |
Overview Of Key Specs
Before diving into image quality and features, let’s look at some of the basic specifications of each lens:
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art:
- Focal length: 24-70mm
- Constant aperture: f/2.8
- Optical image stabilization: Yes (4 stops)
- Minimum focus distance: 37cm
- Filter thread: 82mm
- Weight: 1070g
Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II:
- Focal length: 24-70mm
- Constant aperture: f/2.8
- Optical image stabilization: Yes (5.5 stops)
- Minimum focus distance: 38cm
- Filter thread: 82mm
- Weight: 895g
On paper, the lenses share a lot of similarities. The most obvious difference is the weight, with the Sigma tipping the scales at 175g more than the Sony. The GM II also advertises better stabilization at 5.5 stops compared to 4 stops in the Sigma.
Image Quality Comparison
Let’s now dive into the all-important image quality. Both lenses deliver outstanding sharpness and bokeh thanks to their advanced optical designs and fast f/2.8 aperture.
Sharpness: The Sigma impresses with excellent center sharpness starting from f/2.8. But the Sony edges it out slightly in terms of corner sharpness and consistency across the frame at wider apertures. Stopping down to f/5.6 allows both lenses to achieve tack sharp images from center to corner.
Bokeh: With a 9-blade circular aperture, the Sigma produces creamy bokeh when shot wide open at f/2.8. The Sony has an 11-blade aperture for even smoother bokeh, but the differences are minor.
Chromatic aberration: The Sony does a better job at suppressing chromatic aberrations along high contrast edges. The Sigma exhibits some noticeable fringing when shooting backgrounds with bright highlights.
Vignetting: Corner shading is present on both lenses at f/2.8 and f/4 but improves by f/5.6. The Sony has a slight edge but it’s only apparent when pixel peeping side-by-side comparisons.
Distortion: Minimal barrel distortion is visible at 24mm which both lenses automatically correct in-camera. There is also negligible pincushion distortion at 70mm.
Flare resistance: Both lenses utilize special coatings to limit flare and ghosting in challenging light. The Sony’s Nano AR Coating II gives it the upper hand in this area.
Autofocus Performance
Autofocus speed and accuracy is critical for professional event, wedding and portrait work. Both lenses offer lighting-fast autofocus but they use different AF motors and algorithms.
The Sigma utilizes a fast, quiet Hyper Sonic AF motor. It’s designed to drive the large heavy glass elements with precision and speed. AF performance is extremely snappy in good light. In low light, it slows down a bit but still acquires focus quickly and quietly.
The Sony employs four of Sony’s proprietary XD Linear Motors for blazing fast and silent focusing across the entire zoom range. It excels for both stills and video, providing the speed pros need along with the smoothness for recording video. The AF speed is consistent even in very dim lighting.
For tracking moving subjects like people or animals, the Sony has the edge thanks to Sony’s advanced AF algorithms and integration with the camera bodies’ AF systems. But the Sigma is no slouch either when it comes to focus tracking abilities.
Also Read: Differences Between Panasonic S1 And S5.
Handling And Features
Ergonomics play a big role in choosing a pro lens you’ll be using day in and day out. Here’s how the Sigma and Sony compare:
Build quality: Both lenses feature a durable metal construction. The Sigma has more heft at 1070g compared to the Sony at 895g. For all-day handheld use, the lighter Sony has the advantage. But some photographers prefer the sturdier build and handling of the Sigma.
Weather sealing: Pro level splash and dust resistance allows both lenses to be used in rough environments. The rubber gaskets, seals and fluorine coatings offer protection when shooting in light rain or dusty locations.
Control rings: The Sony has two customizable focus hold buttons compared to one on the Sigma. The Sigma however has a handy AF/MF switch to quickly transition between auto and manual focus. Both provide ample grip for changing lenses and adjusting zoom/focus.
Stabilization: With their optical steady shot/stabilization, both lenses allow for sharp handheld shots at slower shutter speeds. The Sony’s 5.5 stop advantage could make a difference for low light shooting without a tripod.
Lens hood: Both come with petal-shaped hoods to block flare. Sigma’s hood is plastic while Sony uses a more durable metal hood. But both allow easy access to circular polarizer filters.
Pros And Cons Compared
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 Art
Pros:
- Excellent center sharpness starting at f/2.8
- Creamy bokeh when shot wide open
- Very fast and accurate AF performance
- More affordable price point
- Sturdier build quality
- Lens hood included
Cons:
- Heavier weight at 1070g
- More noticeable fringing and vignetting wide open
- Plastic lens hood
Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II
Pros:
- Slightly better edge-to-edge sharpness
- Virtually no fringing or chromatic aberration
- Faster, more advanced AF for stills and video
- 5.5 stops of stabilization (1.5 stops over Sigma)
- Lighter and more portable at 895g
- Metal lens hood included
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Only one customizable control button
Also watch the video!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II weighs 895g, while the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 Art weighs 1070g, so the Sony is 175g lighter.
The Sony 24-70mm GM II updates and improves upon the original 24-70mm GM version. Key upgrades include better edge-to-edge sharpness, faster/quieter autofocus, stronger stabilization (5.5 Vs. 4.5 stops), and lighter weight (895g Vs. 886g).
The Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II is considered the best 24-70mm lens for mirrorless cameras. It combines outstanding sharpness, fast/accurate AF, effective stabilization and professional handling in a relatively lightweight package.
Sony G lenses are premium quality lenses with fast apertures and robust build quality. Sony GM lenses represent the highest tier of G Master lenses, designed for professionals with the best optics, autofocus, stabilization and durability.
Conclusion
The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS Art and Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II represent the pinnacle of image quality and performance for 24-70mm zooms on mirrorless cameras. While both deliver impressive sharpness and beautiful bokeh, the Sony has a slight edge in optical performance and autofocus abilities.
The Sigma offers great bang for the buck, but the Sony justifies its higher cost with faster AF, better stabilization and lighter weight. Ultimately, choosing between these two exceptional lenses comes down to budget, shooting needs and individual handling preferences.