In response to the increasing demand for greater wide-angle capability, Sony has announced the FE 20-70mm F4 G a new ‘standard’ zoom lens with a constant maximum aperture of f/4. It’s suitable for use for stills or video shooting with the wider end of the lens being especially attractive for vlogging.
The new lens is constructed from 16 elements arranged in 13 groups and features 2 AA (advanced aspherical) elements, 1 aspherical element, 3 ED (extra low dispersion) elements and 1 ED Asph. (extra-low dispersion aspherical) element. These seven special elements are designed to minimise aberrations including chromatic aberration and spherical aberration, and deliver high image quality across the whole frame.
The Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G has two SD (extreme dynamic) linear motors for focusing to ensure that it gets subjects sharp quickly and quietly and with minimal vibration. The focusing is also said to be 60% faster than with the Sony FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Zeiss Vario-Tessar while the tracking capability is said to be almost 2x better.
In addition, focus breathing is suppressed optically, but the lens is compatible with the Breathing Compensation feature that is in some recent Sony cameras.
There’s also a linear response manual focus system, a focus hold button and a focus mode switch on the lens barrel.
The lens has an aperture ring with option to operate it with or without clicks. Plus there’s an Iris Lock switch that can be used to prevent the aperture ring from being accidentally rotated away from A (for Automatic) or the manual range (f/4-22). If this switch is in the unlocked position the ring can be rotated freely between A and an aperture value.
The Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G weighs 488g, measures 78.7 x 99mm and has a 72mm filter thread.
Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G price and availability
The Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G price is £1,400 / € 1,600 / $1,099. The lens is set to go on sale at the end of February or beginning of March.
Specification
- Announced: 17th January 2022
- Lens mount: Sony FE
- Focal length: 20-70mm
- Maximum aperture: Constant f/4
- Minimum aperture: f/22
- Construction: 16 elements in 13 groups with 2 AA (advanced aspherical), 1 aspherical, 3 ED (extra low dispersion) and 1 ED Asph. (extra-low dispersion aspherical) elements
- Autofocus mechanism: XD Linear motor
- Coatings: Fluorine-coated front element
- Weather sealed: Yes
- Closest focusing distance: AF at 20mm: 30cm, at 70mm: 25cm, MF 25cm through the focal length range
- Maximum magnification: 0.39x
- Filter: 72mm
- Lenshood: Petal shaped hood
- Dimensions (length x max diameter): 78.7 x 99mm / 3-1/8 x 4-inch
- Weight: 488g / 17.3oz