Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Lens

Sony’s FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens redefines the fast zoom by enhancing every aspect of its predecessor. It retains key strengths while cutting weight by 29%, making it the lightest in its category. Equipped with a redesigned autofocus system delivering up to four times faster performance, this lens also features optical refinements tailored for videographers, such as reduced focus breathing and minimal focus shift. Ideal for portraits, sports, landscapes, or video work, the 70-200mm f/2.8 excels in demanding professional applications.

Improved Optical Performance

The FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II, a standout in the G Master series, delivers exceptional optical quality with sharpness from edge to edge throughout the zoom range, even at its maximum aperture of f/2.8. Its redesigned 11-blade aperture produces smooth and natural bokeh. The constant f/2.8 aperture enables shooting in low light and achieving shallow depth of field. Incorporating two ED and two Super ED glass elements, including an aspherical ED, this lens effectively corrects chromatic and spherical aberrations. Two aspherical lenses, one being an extreme aspherical (XA) element, reduce distance-related distortions and minimize onion ring effects. Enhanced by Nano AR Coating II and a refined optical layout to suppress flare and internal reflections, it ensures crisp, clean images with consistently circular bokeh across all apertures.

Optimized for Video

Drawing inspiration from Sony’s cinema technology, the 70-200mm II is refined for professional video use. Enhancements include a significant reduction in focus breathing and focus shift, improved autofocus speed and accuracy, and a Linear Response MF system for precise, tactile manual focus control. Full-time Direct Manual Focus (DMF) allows seamless manual adjustments even when autofocus is engaged. The lens exterior has been redesigned, notably featuring a newly added physical aperture ring, absent on the previous model. This ring can be de-clicked via a switch for smooth iris adjustments, granting videographers independent control over focus, zoom, and aperture settings.

Fast Autofocus and Reliable Image Stabilization

A key advancement in the 70-200mm II is its dramatically enhanced autofocus system, now powered by four XD Linear motors that deliver up to four times faster performance. Focus tracking during zoom is improved by approximately 30% over the previous model. Photographers benefit from high-speed continuous shooting up to 30 fps with autofocus, while video recording enjoys nearly silent operation. The lens also features an advanced Optical SteadyShot stabilization system, ensuring sharp handheld images even at extended focal lengths. Multiple stabilization modes are included, such as standard, panning, and a newly introduced Mode 3 designed specifically for tracking moving subjects.

Professional Design and Durability

Engineered for professional demands, the 70-200mm II features robust weather sealing for reliable performance in challenging conditions. Its weight is reduced by around 29%, tipping the scales at just under 1050g, making it one of the lightest lenses in its category. The internal zoom design enhances balance by minimizing front heaviness, resulting in a more ergonomic feel. The lens incorporates three programmable focus hold buttons spaced at 90-degree intervals, offering intuitive control in both landscape and portrait orientations. Additionally, it includes a removable tripod foot to enhance stability when mounted on support systems.

The focus range limiter switch enhances autofocus speed and responsiveness in specific shooting situations. Zoom ring torque has been fine-tuned for smoother operation, while the iris lock switch prevents unintentional changes to the aperture ring’s position between manual and auto modes. The front lens element is treated with a fluorine coating that repels water, oil, and other pollutants, simplifying cleaning. The included lens hood features a locking button and a filter window, allowing convenient adjustment of variable filters such as polarizers and ND filters.

Teleconverter Compatibility

The FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II is fully compatible with Sony’s optional FE 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters, maintaining full autofocus functionality when attached. With these teleconverters, the effective focal lengths and apertures extend to 98-280mm f/4 and 140-400mm f/5.6, respectively, expanding the lens’s versatility for longer-range shooting.