I’ve finally completed the comparison page for the Sony 24-70mm F/2.8 GM, and Sony Zeiss 24-70mm F/4 lenses. With that said, there is a caveat; for some reason, the 35mm test images from the Zeiss did not look like they were focused perfectly. Maybe the GM zoom is that much better, or maybe I didn’t nail the focus quite right; so that’s why I’m not including any 35mm comps in this post, but will try again when I get some spare time.
Also note the comparisons where taken on a different day, with slightly different weather conditions that might favor the contrast of the Sony GM lens.
There are no real surprises here, although towards the end of the zoom the Zeiss is equal or superior along the image periphery. The GM is always sharper in the middle no matter what the focal length or aperture.
Sony A7R used for test images.
Sony Zeiss 24-70mm F/4 sets are along the top, and Sony 24-70/2.8 GM sets are on the bottom of image.
Here is the whole test scene and where the crops are taken from.
24mm
left side, center, and right side
Sony Zeiss 24-70mm F/4 on the top, Sony 24-70mm F/2.8 GM on the bottom. Click pictures to enlarge.
F/4
Not a huge difference between lenses at 24mm, F/4, but the GM is slightly sharper throughout the frame.
F/5.6
Again, not a big difference in sharpness here at F/5.6, about the same as F/4.
F/8
The GM is looking really sharp along the sides, and the Zeiss now appears soft in comparison. The centers are always a bit sharper with the GM lens.
F/11
The results seem the same here at F/11 as F/8. The Sony GM is a clear winner at 24mm especially along the image periphery.
50mm
left side, center, and right side
Sony Zeiss 24-70mm F/4 on the top, Sony 24-70mm F/2.8 GM on the bottom. Click pictures to enlarge.
F/4
The two lenses look fairly close in sharpness at 50mm, F/4 along the sides, with the GM centers super sharp.
F/5.6
Similar results here at F/5.6, except along the right side, in which the Zeiss seems a little bit sharper, and the GM slightly sharper on the left side.
F/8
Diffraction shows up a bit here on the Zeiss at F/8, (the images softens a small amount), but the GM still looks super sharp across the image for the most part.
F/11
Similar results here at F/11. The GM is sharpest at 50mm, but it’s really about the same as the Zeiss (at best) along the right side.
70mm
left side, center, and right side
Sony Zeiss 24-70mm F/4 on the top, Sony 24-70mm F/2.8 GM on the bottom. Click pictures to enlarge.
F/4
The left sides are about the same at 70mm; the centers are sharper on the GM, and the Zeiss is noticeably sharper on the right side.
F/5.6
The GM center has a bit more contrast and sharpness, but the Zeiss actually looks better in all other areas.
F/8
F/8 is about the same as F/5.6.
F/11
The only real change that happens at F/11 is the GM right side is a bit sharper. To sum up 70mm; the Zeiss is sharper over most of the frame at wide apertures, the GM is only as sharp as the Zeiss at small apertures; and sharper in the centers.
I’m surprised at the results at 24mm, and 70mm, the Zeiss is not really that much different at wide apertures. The GM lens really shines in the centers at all apertures and focal lengths, and it’s very noticeable in these crops.
The Sony 24-70mm F/2.8 GM (B&H Photo, Amazon, eBay) would be great for someone (with deep pockets) that likes to shoot street scenes and landscapes, and wants near prime lens performance, but is not bothered by a large and heavy lens.
The Sony Zeiss 24-70mm F/4 (B&H Photo, Amazon, eBay.) is about half the price (and heft), of the GM, but is totally adequate for day to day shooting if you don’t plan on printing tack sharp 24×36″ posters. I never print that big, and find the Zeiss will continue to meets my needs in the future, so I’m not going to add the GM lens to my stable at this time. Both lenses offer a lot of performance for the money, you just have to figure out how you’re going to use the lens, and what features and qualities are important to you.
That’s it for this comparison, thanks for reading!