Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS II

Since the optics are unchanged, early reviews report image quality much like the original: good centre sharpness, softer borders and corners wide open (especially at 28mm and 70mm), and strong distortion that the camera corrects. The improvement is in focusing, which testers describe as faster, quieter and more confident in tracking and video than the old lens.

Reviewers treat it as a sensible kit lens rather than a reason to upgrade on its own. They often point to the FE 28-60mm for compactness, or to a Tamron 28-75 or Sony 24-50 G for clearly better optics.

Owners buying it in the A7 V kit find the AF a clear step up from the older kit zoom, especially for video and eye tracking, and like the light weight and the OSS.

Complaints repeat those about the original: soft corners, a slow aperture, and pressure to upgrade to a faster zoom. Some feel it is expensive as a standalone purchase given the old optical design.