Sony's G Master (GM) sub-series of lenses for high-end full-frame cameras swept the board at the 2019 EISA Awards. However, its newest member may be able to outdo at least some of them when it comes to subsequent honors. It introduces the tighest zoom the line has achieved so far: 12mm, bringing all the potential wide-angle advantages as it does so.
The new FE GM also has a constant aperture of 2.8, which may help the user maintain brightness even as they bring the angle of view down to its new limit. Besides this, it also now has the largest extreme aspherical (XA) element that can be attached to an alpha-series camera.
The FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM also has 3 extra-low dispersion (ED) and 2 Super ED glass elements. They are coated with a new generation of Sony's precision treatment (Nano AR Coating II) for these components. All this means the complete lens may be capable of superior bokeh as well as corner-to-corner detail.
In terms of videography, the new lens features 4 high-performance extreme dynamic (XD) linear motors to keep up with high-speed subjects. It also benefits from Sony's autofocus (AF) and Eye AF for smooth tracking.
Therefore, the OEM really seems to be setting this GM lens to be all things to all wide-angle-loving professionals. The FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM will start to become available in August, and currently has an estimated retail price of €3300 (~US$3720).