Sony FE 20-70 mm f/4 G
11. Summary
Pros:
- lightweight, handy barrel for these parameters,
- excellent image quality in the frame centre,
- good image quality on the edge of the APS-C sensor,
- acceptable image quality on the edge of full frame,
- very good correction of longitudinal chromatic aberration,
- slight lateral chromatic aberration,
- negligible vignetting on the APS-C/DX sensor,
- decent coma correction,
- very low astigmatism,
- sensibly-looking blurry areas for a zoom lens,
- lack of any serious problems with the performance against bright light,
- silent, flash-quick, and accurate autofocus,
- unique parameters.
Cons:
- monstrous distortion on RAW files,
- very high vignetting on full frame.
I am very pleased by the fact that the progress of photographic optics hasn't stopped. From time to time you see such unique lenses being launched as the Sony FE 20-70 mm f/4 G, tested here. My joy is not spoiled by the fact that they are very hard to assess because if you deal with a unique instrument you have no reference point and almost no rivals to compare it with.
Of course there is always something to say because you can compare the tested lens to models which are easier to construct, like 24-70 or 24-105 mm devices. The most important thing is that the Sony prevails in all these duels, proving its supreme quality.
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It's also difficult to analyse the price of the new model, that is supposed to amount 1600 Euro and for similar reasons. Of course it might seem huge if you compare it to $500, the price tag of the Panasonic Lumix S 20-60 mm f/3.5-5.6. Still the Panasonic is a lens much easier to construct and without its full test it's difficult to say something binding about its price/performance ratio.
Ending these digressions let me just add that for me personally, as a fan of landscape photography, the Sony FE 20-70 mm f/4 G seems to be a perfect companion of any kinds of outings. I think this lens would be enough for 90% of all shots on any of my trips so, practically, I wouldn't need to take any other device with me. That's why I think the new Sony will find a lot of satisfied users.
