Sony Announces Development of New 300mm F2.8 and new Ultra-Wide FE 20-70mm F4 G Lenses
Sony today announced the development of the long-awaited FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS Telephoto lens, with a target launch date in early 2024.
Large-aperture super-telephoto lenses like the FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS and FE 600mm F4 GM OSS are highly acclaimed by sports and wildlife photographers around the world for their outstanding resolution and AF performance, as well as being remarkably lightweight. As such, the new lens will feature the incredible high-resolution and spectacularly beautiful bokeh of Sony’s acclaimed line of flagship G Master™ series lenses, whilst also offering a far-reaching 300 mm focal length and F2.8 large aperture. This combination will deliver a new elevated shooting experience for all professional sports, news and event photographers and videographers looking to capture decisive moments with higher image quality.
Sony will continue to expand its attractive lens line-up in order to meet the demands and maximize the creative possibilities for all types of creators, including professionals, and expand the possibilities of artistic expression.
Additional details and specifications on the new FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS Telephoto Lens will be released at a later date.
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Sony is redefining the standard zoom category of lenses with the introduction of the FE 20-70mm F4 G (model – SEL2070G) that boasts an ultra-wide 20-70 mm zoom range in a remarkably compact, lightweight full-frame lens, with a constant F4 aperture throughout the zoom range. With impressive G LensTM image quality, high speed accuracy and tracking AF and a smart design for maximum mobility and operability, this new lens is designed for a wide range of creators. The FE 20-70mm F4 G is the perfect choice for a variety of content capture like vlogging and movie production through to still shots of portraits and landscapes.
“The introduction of the FE 20-70mm F4 G sees the standard zoom category of lenses redefined”, said Yann Salmon Legagneur, Director of Product Marketing, Digital Imaging, Sony Europe. “The new concept lens has an incredible, ultra-wide zoom range from 20 mm through to 70 mm to ensure true versatility – perfectly designed for both still and video creators with its sophisticated imagery and high-level operability”.
Compact and lightweight new standard zoom covers ultra-wide 20-70 mm
With an unprecedented ultra-wide 20 mm to 70 mm zoom range and constant F4 aperture, the FE 20-70mm F4 G offers outstanding optical performance in a remarkably compact, lightweight lens thanks to Sony’s latest lens design and XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors technology. Combined with a compact mirrorless body, this lens can deliver superb image quality in just about any situation at all focal lengths. An excellent choice for shooting with a minimum amount of equipment.
What’s more, the ultra-wide 20 mm end of the zoom range makes it possible to maintain a wide angle of view when shooting video with a 16:9 or 2.35:1 aspect ratio.
Outstanding image quality consistent with the G Lens logo
The new FE 20-70mm F4 G delivers stunning image quality and gorgeous bokeh that are fully in keeping with the G Lens logo.
With Sony’s latest technology, the new lens boasts unique G Lens image quality in a surprisingly compact and lightweight lens. With two AA (advanced aspherical) elements, one aspherical element, three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements, and one ED aspherical element, this lens’s state-of-the-art optical design simultaneously corrects chromatic and spherical aberration for extremely high optical performance across the whole zoom range. Optimised coatings add high flare and ghost resistance to this superior optical design, for extraordinary contrast and clarity.
Beautiful bokeh is achieved with full-frame image sensors and is further enhanced by a 9-blade circular aperture and optimally tuned spherical aberration. All of this supports the creation of impressive, memorable imagery
The FE 20-70mm F4 G’s short minimum focusing distance makes it easy to maneuver around subjects, such as small flowers, to find the ideal angle (0.3 meters at the wide end and 0.25 meters at the telephoto end of the zoom range when using AF). Maximum magnification is 0.39x for dynamic, detailed close-ups.
Maximises camera AF performance for stills and video
The lens’s focus group is driven by two of Sony’s latest XD Linear Motors, providing high thrust for fast, quiet, low-vibration focus drive. Thrust efficiency has been significantly improved over previous models, resulting in up to a 60% increase in AF speed, and because tracking performance has been improved by about 2 times compared to previous models, moving subjects are tracked with consistent reliability and precision. Reliable tracking is achieved when shooting continuous stills of fast-moving subjects at up to 30 frames per second with the AlphaTM 1 body, and can smoothly record when shooting video at a high frame rate.
Video performance designed for refined imagery
The FE 20-70mm F4 G features the latest lens technology to reduce focus breathing as well as focus and axial shift when zooming to ensure that the highest quality images are captured. This lens has also been carefully designed for quiet operation when shooting movies, with advanced XD linear motors and a newly developed aperture unit that dramatically reduces noise and vibration.
AlphaTM series cameras’ Active Mode image stabilisation is highly effective at the ultra-wide 20 mm end of the FE 20-70mm F4 G zoom range, providing excellent image stabilisation performance, whilst maintaining a wide angle of view. This can be particularly useful for shooting smooth, stable handheld footage whilst walking.
Focus is especially critical when shooting high-resolution 4K or 8K movies. The FE 20-70mm F4 G works with AlphaTM series camera bodies to easily acquire accurate focus and smoothly track fast-moving subjects thanks to two high-thrust XD Linear Motors and a high-level control system in a compact, lightweight lens. The ability to leave focusing to the camera when shooting solo can be a huge advantage.
Linear Response MF ensures that the focus ring responds directly and linearly to subtle control when focusing manually and an independent aperture ring offers direct, intuitive aperture control.
High-level operability and reliability for any environment
The new FE 20-70mm F4 G’s independent focus, zoom, and aperture rings feature optimised diameter, width, and positioning for full control when shooting stills as well as maximum versatility when recording video.
Customisable focus hold buttons are provided in two locations for easy access and convenient control and a focus mode switch on the side of the lens makes it possible to switch between autofocus and manual focus to quickly adapt to changing shooting conditions. Even though the lens is an ultra wide-angle, it is compatible with circular polarising filters to the edge of the lens, so the user has full creative control. It also includes an Iris Lock switch to prevent unwanted changes while shooting.
Lastly, the FE 20-70mm F4 G has a dust and moisture resistant design and the front lens element features a fluorine coating that repels fingerprints, dust, water, oil, and other contaminants.
Pricing and Availability
The new FE 20-70mm F4 G will be available in February 2023 at a variety of Sony’s authorised dealers, for an estimated retail price of €1600 EUROS.
For detailed product information on the lens, please visit here.
A product video of the new lens can be viewed here.
A variety of exclusive stories, videos and exciting new content shot with the newest cameras and other Sony products can be found here. Sony’s European photography hub is available in 22 languages and details product news, competitions and an up-to-date list of Sony events in each country.
Remarks
* January 2023, Sony survey of full-frame constant F4 standard zoom lenses.
* 0.25 throughout the zoom range when focusing manually
* Compared to the SEL2470Z.
* Compared to the SEL2470Z. Sony test conditions.
* Compared to the SEL2470Z. Sony test conditions.
* “Hi+” continuous shooting mode. Effective at 1/125 sec. or higher shutter speed. In AF-C mode at shutter speeds of 1/250 sec. or higher the maximum continuous frame rate will depend on the shooting mode.
* With a compatible camera. Active Mode causes a slight reduction in angle of view.
* This feature also works effectively with cameras such as the α7 IV and FX6 AF Assist function, giving creators enhanced artistic control.
* Not guaranteed to be 100% dust and moisture proof.
* While making it easier to wipe off any contaminants that do become attached to the lens surface.
