Sony has announced two new lenses, the FE 20-70mm f/4 G (model SEL2070G) zoom due next month and a long-awaited FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS telephoto lens, which is in development.
The new Sony FE 20-70mm f4 G lens, which will be available in Australia from early February 2023. (Source: Sony.)
The FE 20-70mm f/4 G lens will be welcomed by many Alpha camera owners for its compact and lightweight design and constant f/4 maximum aperture, which will suit a wide range of applications from vlogging and movie production through to still portraits and landscapes. Its optical design includes two AA (advanced aspherical) elements, one aspherical element, three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements, and one ED aspherical element, which are arranged to ensure high optical performance across the zoom range. Optimised coatings add high flare and ghost resistance to deliver maximum 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.
The minimum focusing distance is 0.3 meters at the wide end and 0.25 meters at the telephoto end of the zoom range when using AF, which enables a maximum magnification of 0.39x for close-up shots. Autofocusing is driven by two of Sony’s latest XD Linear Motors, providing high thrust for fast, quiet, low-vibration adjustments. Thrust efficiency has been significantly improved to deliver up to a 60% increase in AF speed. Tracking performance has roughly doubled to ensure reliable tracking when shooting continuous stills of fast-moving subjects at up to 30 frames per second, along with smooth video recordings at high frame rates. The new lens also features the latest lens technology to reduce focus breathing as well as focus and axial shift when zooming. It is also compatible with the Alpha series cameras’ Active Mode image stabilisation.
The FE 20-70mm f/4 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. It is due for release in Australia from early February 2023 at an RRP of AU$1999. Click here for more information.
Sony has also released a development announcement heralding the long-awaited FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Telephoto lens, with a target launch date in early 2024. The company has released no further details and no product photographs so far, However, it claims ‘the new lens 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’. There is no information on when this lens will be released or its expected retail price.
