Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
Launch MSRP
$1,200- Weight
- 426g
- Filter
- ⌀67mm
- Min focus
- 0.40m
- Max mag.
- 0.20×
- Formula
- 12E / 10G
- Released
- 2013
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 5x Aspherical
- 1x ED
- ZEISS T* Coating
- Aperture range
- f/4 — f/22
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 426g
- ⌀ × length
- 73.0 × 94.5mm
- Filter
- ⌀67mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Optical
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 7.8 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.40m
- Max magnification
- 0.20× (1:5.0)
Optical character
This was one of the launch lenses for the original A7 and A7R: a compact, stabilised f/4 standard zoom at 426g with ZEISS branding and T* coatings. It gives good contrast and pleasant colour in a metal barrel, and its Optical SteadyShot helped on bodies without IBIS.
Five aspherical elements and one ED element keep it small, but the optics date from 2013. Close focus is 0.4m for 0.20x, the aperture has seven blades, and there are no aperture ring or extra buttons. It is now mostly bought used as a light general-purpose zoom.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers found it adequate rather than outstanding: sharp in the centre, with soft corners at 24mm and inconsistent results between copies. Distortion at 24mm is strong without correction, and the price was widely seen as high for the optics.
They did praise the compact size, quick and quiet AF, effective OSS and good flare control. Many concluded that the later FE 24-105mm F4 G and third-party f/2.8 zooms give better results for similar money.
Owner sentiment
Owners like the size and weight for travel and say it pairs well with compact A7 bodies. Contrast and colour rendering get positive comments, and used prices make it an easy entry point.
The most frequent complaints are copy variation, weak corners at 24mm, and feeling that the ZEISS badge promised more than the lens delivers. Some owners note that the barrel extends and wobbles slightly when zoomed out.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +Compact 426g build
- +Optical SteadyShot
- +Good contrast and colour with T* coating
- +Quiet linear-motor AF
- +Cheap used
Weaknesses
- −Soft corners at 24mm
- −Notable copy variation
- −Strong distortion wide
- −Only 0.20x close focus
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 7.3
- Bokeh Rendering
- 7.0
- Autofocus Speed
- 7.8
- Flare Resistance
- 8.0
- Build / Sealing
- 8.2
- Value / Size
- 7.0
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Sony E (FE) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 24–70mm |
| Category | Standard |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Construction | 12 elements in 10 groups |
| Special elements | 5x Aspherical · 1x ED · ZEISS T* Coating |
| Aperture blades | 7 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | Linear Motor |
| Minimum focus | 0.40m |
| Max magnification | 0.20× |
| Stabilisation | Optical |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 426g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 73.0 × 94.5mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀67mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2013 |
| Launch MSRP | $1,200 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- sony.jp/ichigan/products/SEL2470Z/spec.html
- imaging-resource.com/lenses/sony/fe-24-70mm-f4-za-oss-zeiss-vario-tessar-t-sel24
- photographylife.com/lenses/sony-vario-tessar-t-fe-24-70mm-f4-za-oss
- sony.ca/en/electronics/camera-lenses/sel2470z/specifications
- mhohner.de/sony-minolta/onelens/e24-70f4cz
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSVario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS vs AF 24-70mm F2.8 FE
- VSVario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS vs 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | Art
- VSVario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS vs 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art
- Samyang/RokinonAF
AF 24-70mm F2.8 FE
24–70mmF2.8- WT
- 1,027g
- FLT
- ⌀82mm
- MFD
- 0.35m
- MSRP
- $1,099
AFWR - SigmaArt
24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | Art
24–70mmF2.8- WT
- 735g
- FLT
- ⌀82mm
- MFD
- 0.17m
- MSRP
- $1,199
AFWRRING·DC - SigmaArt
24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art
24–70mmF2.8- WT
- 830g
- FLT
- ⌀82mm
- MFD
- 0.18m
- MSRP
- $1,099
AFWR
