Sony 70-200mm f/4 Macro G OSS II Announced

Sony has simply up to date their common 70-200mm f/4 G OSS with a brand new model that provides higher close-focusing capabilities, sooner autofocus, and extra. With a 1:2 magnification all through the whole zoom vary – and assist for Sony’s teleconverters – you’ll be able to flip this lens right into a 1:1 magnification 140-400mm zoom by merely utilizing Sony’s 2x TC! Right here’s what we all know in regards to the lens up to now.

Specs

Full Identify:Sony FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II
Focal Size: 70-200mm (2.86x zoom)
Most Aperture: f/4
Minimal Aperture: f/22
Lens Parts: 19
Lens Aspect Teams: 13
Filter Thread Dimension: 72mm
Angle of View: 34° to 12° 30′
Most Magnification: 0.5x (1:2) in any respect focal lengths
Minimal Focusing Distance: 0.26 meters (0.86 toes) at 70mm; 0.42 meters (1.38 toes) at 200mm
Picture Stabilization: Sure
Aperture Blades: 9, rounded
Fluorine Coating: Sure
ED Glass Parts: 3
Tremendous ED Glass Parts: 1
Aspherical Parts: 2 (one aspherical, one superior aspherical)
Focus Motor:
Inside Focusing: Sure
Inside Zooming: No
Teleconverter Compatibility: Sure (with each 1.4x and a pair of.0x TCs)
Focus Limiting Change: Sure
Operate Buttons: Sure
Dimensions (Size x Diameter):
Weight: 794 g (1.75 lbs)
MSRP: $1698

Enhancements over the Earlier Model

Virtually ten years have handed since Sony’s unique 70-200mm f/4 G OSS was introduced, and unsurprisingly, Sony has made numerous enhancements. (They’re additionally launching the brand new lens for a barely increased value of $1700, in comparison with the $1500 MSRP of the earlier technology.)

The headline change is that the brand new lens reaches 1:2 magnification (0.5x) all through the complete zoom vary. By comparability, the earlier model had a dismal most magnification of 1:7.7 (0.13x). There are additionally enhancements within the lens’s weight and portability, with the brand new model weighing 5% much less and measuring 149mm when collapsed, in comparison with 175mm (5.9 inches versus 6.9 inches).

Past that, Sony refers to a number of enhancements in autofocus and picture stabilization in comparison with the earlier model. To cite from their press launch:

“Monitoring efficiency for transferring objects has improved roughly twice as a lot in comparison with the earlier mannequin”
Autofocus velocity has been elevated “by as much as 20% throughout nonetheless picture taking pictures“
“Focus monitoring efficiency throughout zooming has additionally been vastly improved”
“A brand new MODE3 setting of SteadyShot has been added that optimizes the camera shake correction algorithm”

The one draw back I see in comparison with the earlier Sony 70-200mm f/4 G OSS is that the earlier model was internally-zooming, whereas this new lens has an exterior zoom. On the whole, externally-zooming lenses are extra liable to points when taking pictures in sandy, dusty, or wet situations. Nevertheless, the 70-200mm f/4 II has intensive climate sealing that ought to mitigate this concern in most environments.

General, Sony has made a lot of enhancements with the 70-200mm f/4 G OSS II, and that’s not even speaking about optical high quality. My expectation is that the brand new lens has higher optics contemplating how a lot time has handed since then, however that’s one thing we’ll want to attend and take a look at for ourselves.

In comparison with the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8

Despite the fact that the brand new Sony 70-200mm f/4 II is a transparent enchancment over the earlier model, does it evaluate favorably in opposition to the third-party Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8? In spite of everything, the 2 lenses weigh nearly precisely the identical (the Tamron is simply 15 grams / half an oz heavier), and the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 additionally reaches 1:2 magnification for close-up images. Contemplating the Tamron’s good repute and lower cost ($1200, and infrequently on sale for much less), numerous photographers will likely be giving it an in depth look.

That stated, regardless of the obvious similarities, the Sony lens comes out forward in some vital methods – particularly within the realm of close-focus images. For one factor, the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 solely reaches 1:2 magnification at 70mm, and it drops to a slightly pedestrian 1:4.6 magnification at 180mm. The brand new Sony 70-200mm f/4 II stays at 1:2 all through the complete zoom vary. On high of that, there are not any teleconverters which at present work with Tamron’s 70-180mm f/2.8, whereas the Sony lens is appropriate with Sony’s TCs. This implies you’ll be able to simply flip the 70-200mm f/4 II into a real 140-400mm f/8, which has 1:1 macro capabilities all through the whole zoom vary!

As for the questions of picture high quality and focus efficiency, that’s one thing I sit up for testing. My intestine says that because the Tamron is already a well-performing lens, you need to most likely decide the Tamron when you want f/2.8 and the Sony when you want most close-focus capabilities. However when you’re nonetheless on the fence, maybe Sony has put some optical magic within the 70-200mm f/4 II that makes it value the additional cash over the Tamron. We’ll see!

Pre-Order

The Sony 70-200mm f/4 G OSS II will likely be accessible for pre-orders beginning tomorrow morning, Thursday July 13 at 10AM Japanese. You may pre-order it right here from B&H:

Ordering something by means of our hyperlinks to B&H is the best option to assist our work at Photography Life with out costing you something further!

Press Launch

Sony Electronics Expands the Vary of Capturing Expressions with the Excessive Imaging Energy and AF Efficiency of the FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II Lens™

“FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II” telephoto zoom lens with compact and light-weight design;

World’s firstⁱ half-macro taking pictures with a most magnification of 0.5x all through the zoom vary

SAN DIEGO, CA – July 12, 2023. At present, Sony Electronics introduces the telephoto zoom lens “FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II” (product identify SEL70200G2) that covers focal lengths from 70 mm to 200 mm with a F4 most aperture, appropriate with 35 mm full-frame α™ (Alpha™) E-mount collection and any camera with an E-mount.

The FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II is a compact, light-weight telephoto zoom lens that can be utilized in a variety of conditions. Not solely does the FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II comprise excessive imaging energy, high-speed and high-performance AF which might be distinctive to G lenses, that is the world’s firstⁱ zoom lens to supply half macro functionality all through the zoom vary, with a most magnification of 0.5xⁱⁱ all through. As well as, with a teleconverter (offered individuallyⁱⁱⁱ), super-telephoto taking pictures as much as 400 mm and life-size 1:1 macro taking pictures all through the whole zoom vary is feasible^iv.

“We’re excited to introduce the versatile 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II to our already unimaginable lineup of lenses. For each photographers and videographers, the brand new lens gives the final word lens in a compact, light-weight kind that may be a certified telephoto coupled with macro functionality all through the focal vary and a most aperture of F4 for any shot demanding shallow depth of area and creamy bokeh,” says Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Options, Sony Electronics Inc.

This launch marks Sony’s 50^th full-frame E-mount lens^v. Because the first lens Sony has remained dedicated to supporting the artistic actions of photographers and videographers by bringing collectively the newest applied sciences and increasing the E-mount lineup that covers each full-frame and APS-C measurement codecs.

Compact, light-weight and appropriate with a teleconverter

With a complete size of 149 mm and a weight of roughly 1.7 lb (excluding the tripod mount), the FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II is a zoom lens that can be utilized for a variety of functions, together with sports activities scenes, landscapes, wildlife, and even macro images.

Capturing from 70 mm to 200 mm, the lens additionally allows the world’s firstⁱ half-macro taking picturesⁱⁱ, with a most magnification of 0.5x all through the zoom vary. The superior aspherical lenses contribute to uniformly glorious corner-to-corner decision and distinction. As well as, ED (Additional-low Dispersion) glass suppresses chromatic aberration.

It additionally helps a high-performance teleconverter^vi (offered individuallyⁱⁱⁱ). With a super-telephoto of as much as 400 mm (equal to 600 mm when utilizing with an APS-C camera)^iv, it will possibly seize distant topics in a bigger measurement, together with stunning bokeh. When the SEL20TC is connected, it’s potential to take macro photographs at as much as 1:1 over the whole zoom vary.

Quick autofocus and glorious video recording efficiency

Sony’s distinctive XD (excessive dynamic) linear motor will increase the autofocus velocity by as much as 20% throughout nonetheless picture taking pictures^vii. Monitoring efficiency for transferring objects has improved roughly twice as a lot in comparison with the earlier mannequin^vii, so it continues to trace the goal topic with excessive accuracy. Focus monitoring efficiency throughout zooming has additionally been vastly improved^viii. When paired with the flagship α1 physique, it’s potential to shoot high-speed bursts at as much as 30 frames per second.

As well as, a brand new MODE3^ix setting of SteadyShot has been added that optimizes the camera shake correction algorithm, emphasizing framing stability when taking pictures transferring topics. By combining it with a appropriate camera physique, the consumer can extra successfully compensate for camera shake and shoot secure motion pictures.

Intuitive operability and excessive reliability for many situations

The FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II gives intuitive and safe operability that helps photographers and videographers. Along with a spotlight vary limiter and a full-time DMF swap that immediately switches from AF to MF (guide focus), the removable tripod mount included within the field gives a way of stability throughout super-telephoto and macro taking pictures.

As well as, the entrance lens component encompasses a fluorine coating, which makes it simple to take away fingerprints, mud, oil, and different contaminants from the lens floor. The mud and moisture resistant design gives further reliability for out of doors use in difficult situations^x and expands the liberty of taking pictures.

Pricing and Availability

The brand new FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II will likely be accessible for pre-order beginning July 13, 2023, for MSRP $1,699.99 USD and $2,299.99 CAD. It is going to be offered at quite a lot of Sony’s approved sellers.

A product video on the brand new FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II could be seen right here: https://youtu.be/5WXIeLFQ_o4

For detailed product details about FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II, please go to: https://electronics.sony.com/imaging/lenses/all-e-mount/p/sel70200g2

Unique tales and thrilling new content material shot with the brand new FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II and Sony’s different imaging merchandise could be discovered at www.alphauniverse.com, a website created to teach and encourage all followers and prospects of Sony α – Alpha model.

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About Sony Electronics Inc.

Sony Electronics is a subsidiary of Sony Company of America and an affiliate of Sony Group Company, some of the complete leisure corporations on the earth, with a portfolio that encompasses electronics, music, movement photos, cell, gaming, robotics and monetary providers. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Sony Electronics is a pacesetter in electronics for the buyer {and professional} markets. Operations embrace analysis and improvement, engineering, gross sales, advertising and marketing, distribution and customer support. Sony Electronics creates merchandise that innovate and encourage generations, such because the award-winning Alpha Interchangeable Lens Cameras and revolutionary high-resolution audio merchandise. Sony can be a number one producer of end-to-end options from 4K skilled broadcast and A/V gear to trade main 4K and 8K Extremely HD TVs. Go to for extra data.

Notes:

ⁱ As of July 2023 product announcement. Sony’s survey.

ⁱⁱ When utilizing a 35mm Full-frame sensor camera. Within the case of utilizing an APS-C sensor camera, 0.75x equal magnification all through the zoom vary within the 35mm format.

ⁱⁱⁱ 1.4x Teleconverter Lens “SEL14TC” and a pair of.0x Teleconverter Lens “SEL20TC”

^iv With “SEL20TC”

^v As of July 2023 product announcement.

^vi Most aperture with the 1.4x and a pair of.0x teleconverters is F5.6 and F8, respectively.

^vii In comparison with SEL70200G, Sony’s take a look at situations

^viii In comparison with SEL70200G, when taking pictures stills, Sony’s take a look at situations.

^ix A software program replace could also be required. See Sony’s assist web page on the net for camera compatibility data.

^x Not assured to be 100% mud and moisture proof.