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

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Article: description: The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II is Sony’s flagship mirrorless zoom lens. As such, it’s loaded with features and has a top-shelf build quality that makes it a top pick!
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The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II is a versatile telephoto zoom lens found in most professional photographers' and videographers' camera kits who shoot with Sony mirrorless cameras. It was released in 2021, replacing the original Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS as Sony’s flagship 70-200mm lens. 

In this Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II review, we’ll examine its design and handling, image quality, video quality, and autofocus performance. Also, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of working with it and recommend our favorite compatible cameras. Additionally, thanks to websites like MPB, buying used lenses has never been cheaper and easier. 

Who is MPB? It’s a trustworthy and innovative company offering high-quality used photo and video gear at unbeatable prices. Better yet, every camera and lens it sells is hand-inspected by professional product specialists with years of experience and backed by a six-month warranty, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free.

What truly sets MPB apart, though, is its one-of-a-kind online platform. It’s an amazing tool that has helped us save thousands of dollars buying, selling, and trading photography equipment over the years, and we believe it can do the same for you. Now, join us as we explore everything there is to know about the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II!

Check out the Sony | Camera Channel video above to learn more about the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II.

Table of Contents

Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II: Design & Handling

The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II is an incredibly sturdy lens that happens to be the “world’s lightest constant large-aperture telephoto zoom lens.” While you might think it's big and heavy when you first see it, it’s 435 grams lighter than its predecessor despite being the same size. That’s innovation! 

Another update on the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II is a new control ring—an aperture ring. You can set it to click for photography and deactivate the clicks for video shooting, making the lens silent. There are six additional switches on the lenses to adjust settings and a “focus lock” button.

Three more highlight-worthy design features are the removable lens handle, hood, and all-weather coating. The handle helps steady the lens, leading to sharper content. The hood eliminates lens flares when shooting in sunny situations. And the lens’ all-weather coating protects it from the elements, making it a great choice for outdoor photography. 

Now, here’s an in-depth look at the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II specs and key features:

  • Lens Type: Telephoto Zoom Lens
  • Camera System: Full-Frame
  • Lens Mount: Sony E Mount
  • Focal Length: 70-200 mm
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focusing Distance: 40 cm
  • Filter Size: 77 mm
  • Focusing system: Autofocus & Manual Focus
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.3x
  • Size/Weight: 88 x 200 mm / 1045 grams
  • Optical Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Used Price: $2,599 - $2,699

Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II: Image Quality

The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II’s premium internal lens elements deliver exceptionally sharp photos, making it a still photographer's dream lens. Overall, it boasts 14 groups and 17 lens elements. Two are ED elements, two are Super ED elements, one is an aspheric element, one is an ED aspheric element, and one is an XD extreme aspheric element. 

The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II has a new optical design and a Nano AR II lens coating, which help reduce lens flares and ghosting. Moreover, the constant f/2.8 maximum aperture boosts low-light performance and creates gorgeous bokeh (shallow depth of field) effects ideal for wildlife and portrait photography.  

Learn More:

What is the Best Sony Mirrorless Camera for Video?

What is the Best Wildlife Photography Lens?

Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II: Video Quality

While telephoto lenses are usually not considered great video lenses, the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II aims to break that mold. The engineers behind the lens worked hand-in-hand with Sony’s cinema department to optimize it for video, and the results are spectacular. So much so that we can confidently say it’s the best telephoto lens for video we’ve ever tested!

The two biggest reasons are the dramatically reduced focus shifting and focus breathing. Whether you use autofocus or manual focus, these improvements lead to sharper, smoother videos. Furthermore, the lens’s manual focus and aperture control rings allow you to quickly and easily make real-time adjustments while filming.

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

Last but not least, the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II has an all-new autofocus system. The AF system uses four XD Linear motors and provides accurate and reliable AF that is four times faster than before. This makes the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II popular for sports, wildlife, and action photography. 

Video shooters will also love the enhanced focus-tracking capabilities while zooming and the quiet motors. These features lead to better video and audio quality. 

Final Thoughts on the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II

It is indisputable that the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II is one of the most powerful and versatile lenses on the market. It’s well-made, delivers stunning photos and videos, and excels at everything from landscapes to portraits. However, it’s not perfect—no lens is. With that in mind, let’s look at its pros and cons.

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

  • Amazing feature set
  • Unbelievably versatile
  • Excellent video and image quality
  • Smooth and quiet autofocus
  • Compatible with Sony FE 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters
  • Beautiful bokeh
  • Weather-sealed

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

  • Expensive (but more affordable if you buy used)
  • Heavy (but lighter than the previous model)
  • Stabilization could be better 

Finally, here’s a list of our favorite Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras to pair with the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II. They are all in stock and on sale now at MPB. 

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