Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS (SEL70200GM) - Review / Test Report - Sample Images & Verdict
Lens Reviews - Sony Alpha (Full Format)
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Introduction
Analysis
Sample Images & Verdict

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Sample Images

Make SONY
Model ILCE-7RM2
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 200.0mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure 1/1600s
Make SONY
Model ILCE-7RM2
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 70.0mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Exposure 1/800s
Make SONY
Model ILCE-7RM2
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 124.0mm
Aperture: f/6.3
Exposure 1/1000s
Make SONY
Model ILCE-7RM2
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 70.0mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure 1/1000s
Make SONY
Model ILCE-7RM2
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 72.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/1000s
Make SONY
Model ILCE-7RM2
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 128.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/1600s
Make SONY
Model ILCE-7RM2
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 81.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/2500s
Make SONY
Model ILCE-7RM2
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 114.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/2500s
Make SONY
Model ILCE-7RM2
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 111.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/2000s
Make SONY
Model ILCE-7RM2
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 152.0mm
Aperture: f/4.0
Exposure 1/640s
Make SONY
Model ILCE-7RM2
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 200.0mm
Aperture: f/4.0
Exposure 1/800s
Make SONY
Model ILCE-7RM2
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 200.0mm
Aperture: f/4.0
Exposure 1/2500s
Make SONY
Model ILCE-7RM2
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 200.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/800s
Make SONY
Model ILCE-7RM2
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 70.0mm
Aperture: f/7.1
Exposure 1/400s
Make SONY
Model ILCE-7RM2
ISO Speed 640
Focal Length 200.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/60s
Make SONY
Model ILCE-7RM2
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 86.0mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure 1/640s

Competition

There aren't any third-party alternatives to the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS (shown in the center below) yet. If you don't really require a fast aperture, there's the Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS (to the left) and Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS (to the right). The Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS punches in the same quality class at half the price ... which may be worth a thought or two. It's also more compact. The latter applies to the FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS but its quality isn't quite up there.

Visual comparison courtesy of camerasize.com.

Verdict

The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS is an impressive piece of equipment. The broader center-zone is especially outstanding when keeping in mind that the lens has been tested on a 42mp sensor. The far corners could be better at 70mm f/2.8 and 200mm f/2.8 but that's usually not an issue in real life. Lateral CAs are low. Image distortions as well as vignetting are well auto-corrected. The native distortion characteristic is somewhat worse compared to what we've seen with similar DSLR lenses though. The quality of the bokeh is pretty nice for a lens in this class. The amount of bokeh fringing is about average.

The build quality is perfectly aligned to professional standards. It feels super-sturdy and the weather sealing certainly helps when the going gets tough outdoors. Sony also paid attention to details such as a retractable window in the lens hood for using a polarizer and a bunch of focus stop buttons. The built-in image stabilizer is good enough for about 3 f-stops. If there's one aspect that didn't really convince us, it's the auto-focus. Things may be different on the A9 but on the A7R II, the speed wasn't all that great (compared to DSLR lenses) and we even experienced a few bugs which we haven't seen in other Sony lenses so far.

If you want to achieve shallow depth-of-field with a zoom lens, the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS is certainly a go-to lens in the Sony system - albeit a pricey one.

PS: Some readers may be stressed by our 3.5* optical rating. Please keep in mind that our rating system is absolute and not relative to the class of the lens. Also - the rating is aligned to a 42mp sensor. On a 24mp sensor, the rating would be easily 4* or better because the (few) corner weaknesses would not show up quite as much.

Optical Quality (at 42mp):
Mechanical Quality:
Price/Performance:
      
   What does this mean ?

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