The Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G (Amazon, B&H) is primarily a photography lens, though it will be used for video.
In this article let’s take a comprehensive look at the important features and specifications of the Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G and see how good it will perform specifically for video, cinematography and filmmaking.
The aim of this article is to provide you with enough information and perspective so you can decide for yourself whether this lens is right for your film or video.
Important: This article is a comprehensive overview of the lens with available information; and an analysis based on our experience shooting for almost two decades. It is not a hands-on review. If and when we get hold of the lens we’ll be sure to publish a detailed review. If this is not your cup of tea you can stop reading.
Click to what you want quickly:
- TLDR;
- Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM vs Sigma Art 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN vs Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G
- Features:
- Control:
- Basics:
- Alternatives to the Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G
TLDR;
What you need to know for video work about the Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G (Amazon, B&H):
- The Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G is a great ultra wide to wide focal length lens.
- It’s small and lightweight for its lens class and construction, making it a preferred lens for gimbal or drone work.
- 7 blade aperture for softer, better bokeh.
- Customizable button for videography.
- The lens doesn’t have OSS, but you will get some stabilization with a Sony a7S III or the Sony Alpha 1 that has IBIS.
- Great Eye AF autofocus for video.
- It exhibits breathing.
Can be great for the following types of filmmaking:
- Wedding filmmaking
- Documentary filmmaking
- Gimbal use
- Drone use
- Architectural work and landscapes
Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM vs Sigma Art 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN vs Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G
| Lens | Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM | Sigma Art 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN | Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G |
| Filter Thread | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Size | 97.6mm x 137mm | 85.0mm × 133.0mm | 87mm x 117.4mm |
| Weight | 847g | 795g | 565g |
| Closest focusing distance | 0.28m / 0.92ft | 0.28m / 0.92ft | 0.28m / 0.92ft |
| Max. Aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/4 |
| Min. Aperture | f/22 | f/22 | f/22 |
| Manual Focus Type | Linear MF / Fly by wire | Focus by wire | Focus by wire |
| Aperture Blades | 9 blades | 11 blades | 7 blades |
| Angle of View (Diagonal) | 122°–84° | 114.2 – 84.1° | 122°–84° |
| Price | $2,998 | $1,299 | $1,773 |
The Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) is bigger and heavier compared to the other two lenses. It also has its default manual focus as Linear MF or fly by wire.
The Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G (Amazon, B&H) only opens up to f/4, whereas the other two lenses go up to f/2.8 and gives you an extra stop of light. The FE 12-24mm f/4 G also has the lowest number of blades out of all the three lenses considered.
Sigma Art 12-24mm f/4 DG DN has 11 aperture blades which should, theoretically, give you a smoother bokeh and creamier out of focus backgrounds.
Here’s a resolution comparison:
The Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM is sharper than the rest at the centre but has a steeper falloff than the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN. I had expected a better performance out of the Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 at f/4.
For those who need f/2.8 and GM quality, there is no doubt which is the better lens. You get what you pay for.
Features
Coverage
The Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G (Amazon, B&H) is a full frame lens. It is designed to completely cover a sensor the size of 36mm x 24mm.
If you are considering this lens for an APS-C sensor or other cinema camera, check out this article:
Focal Length
The minimum focal length is 12mm. This is considered ultra wide on a full frame 35mm sensor.
The maximum focal length is 24mm. This is considered wide on a full frame 35mm sensor.
This focal range is very useful for long shots and wide shots.
Aperture
The maximum aperture is f/4 and the minimum aperture is f/22.
Having f/4 is workable for low light. Especially when you pair this with Sony’s imaging sensors. You will not get the smooth, creamy out of focus background at such a small aperture.
The Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G (Amazon, B&H) has 7 circular diaphragm blades. One expects a smooth bokeh but it’s not always a given. To know more about bokeh:
Resolution
From Sony’s official MTF charts:
The Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G (Amazon, B&H) is as sharp enough in the center but has a steep falloff from the center at 12mm and 24mm, f/4.
I had expected better performance but you have to realize it’s a 12-24mm f/4 lens. It’s ground-breaking in many ways. Getting anything at 12mm is hard!
With the variance in the Sagittal and Tangential lines, you can infer (somewhat) that the bokeh won’t be as smooth as the best prime lenses on the planet.
If you really want this lens at its sharpest you’re better off stopping down to f/5.6 or even f/8 for best results.
If you are curious and want to read the MTF chart for yourself. Here’s a guide on how to read them easily.
Close Focus
The closest focusing distance is 0.28 meters or 0.92 feet. That’s nice for this focal length because you can use it for close ups as well as wide shots.
Image Stabilization
The Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G (Amazon, B&H) lens doesn’t have OSS. This is a disappointment, because that would have made it a lot better than the Sigma version. Using it with the Sony Alpha 1 or the a7S III can provide it with some image stabilization.
Is it Parfocal?
The Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G is not a parfocal lens. To know what a parfocal lens is, check this out:
Control
Manual focus system
The Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G (Amazon, B&H) has an infinite turn ring for its focus ring and can turn infinitely one way or the other. Unfortunately the 12-24mm f/4 G does not have Linear Manual focus or fly by wire focus set by default.
What is the meaning of focus by wire and fly by wire?
Focus by wire: Let’s say you turn the focus ring to change focus from point A to B. You’d expect the focus to shift accordingly. When you stop point B will be in focus. Now bring the focus point back to A and try again, but at a different speed. Slower or faster, doesn’t matter. Now, even if you precisely rotate to the exact same degree, the focus will not be on point B! The speed of rotation determines which point it is focused on. That’s just completely useless for follow focus work. If an actor or person moves at a different speed, evens lightly, you’ll never get the same focus. Avoid focus by wire lenses like the plague (for video work).
Fly by wire: The distance of focus shifted is directly proportional to the speed at which the ring is turned. This is how a manual focus ring is supposed to operate for video and cinematography.
This decision to exclude Linear MF in this lens by Sony does not make it a preferred lens for videographers and cinematographers.
Autofocus system
Sony’s Autofocus is, without a doubt, one of the most revered video autofocus systems in the world. They claim that their new focus system are much better than the previous autofocusing systems. There is a switch on the side of the body to switch from autofocus to manual focus.
While autofocus speed and precision are essential to quickly capture and reliably track the subject, quiet operation is a must for movie recording. This lens features an advanced inner-focus mechanism driven by Sony’s Direct Drive SSM (DDSSM) system for fast, accurate AF lock-on as well as smooth, quiet operation.
Sony
Zoom Ring
The zoom ring allows you to manually change the focal length from 12mm to 24mm and anywhere in between.
There is no zoom lock, unfortunately. The lens extends by over two inches when zoomed in.
Basics
Filter Thread
The Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G (Amazon, B&H) is not compatible with any filters due to its protruding front lens element.
Build Quality
The majority of the lens exterior is plastic, though the lens doesn’t feel cheap.
The optical design consists of 17 elements in 13 groups, including three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements, one super ED glass, two aspherical lenses.
Size and Weight
The Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 87 mm and a length of 117.4 mm. It weighs around 565 grams. It is pretty light for its class and lens construction.
Weather resistance
Sony claims that all G lenses are weather resistant. But again this only holds true if the camera body you will be using is also weather sealed. No camera is truly and officially weather sealed, so the best you can hope for is reliable weather resistance.
This is a G series lens and we can expect it to perform as such.
What’s in the box
This is what you get in the box (other than the lens):
- Lens front cap: Dedicated
- Lens rear cap: ALC-R1EM
- Case
The hood is integrated into the lens to protect the protruding frontal element. It might be useful for photography, but the shape and design makes it mostly vestigial for video work. It does take the impact and shatters when dropped, and protects the lens, but you’ll need a matte box for serious video work to avoid flare.
Alternatives to the Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G Lens
The Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G (Amazon, B&H) is a great wide angle lens. There only alternatives are:
- Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 Art (Amazon, B&H) – Same aperture, more blades, cheaper, heavier and bigger, worse AF.
- Recommended: Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) – Expensive, heavier, bigger aperture with more blades.
I hope you found this overview of the Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.
