Sony A1II dynamic range tests: Improves slightly over the A1

Bill Claff from PhotonsToPhotos measured the dynamic rage of the new Sony A1II. Ther are a few minor differences:

  • Dynamic range is improved across the board by around 0,2-0,3 stops
  • High Conversion Gain moved from ISO 500 to ISO 640

Sony A1II at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy, FotoErhardt, FotoKoch, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton, CameraPro. Sony Australia.
Sony 28-70mm f/2.0 GM at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy, FotoErhardt, Fotokoch, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton, CameraPro. Sony Australia.

New Sony 28-70mm f/2.0 GM reviews by Lenstip and ProAV: “outstanding”


Sony 28-70mm f/2.0 GM is in Stock for the first time at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy.

Lenstip tested the new Sony 28-70mm f/2.0 GM and concluded:

In a nutshell the Sony FE 28-70 mm f/2 GM test showed that you get here an outstanding 2/50 standard lens along with three very good, momentarily even excellent 2/28, 2/35, and 2/70 primes in just one instrument.
Of course you have to remember that you deal here with a big and heavy zoom lens, although Sony tried their best to make it easier to handle and to use than the rival Canon device.

Still, if you wanted to get almost exactly the performance offered by the Sony you would have to buy as many as four primes. There is also another problem – no producer has 2/28, 2/35, 2/50, and 2/70 models in their line-up although it seems Sigma is the closest to that goal, offering you in their C line the following lenses. It’s easy to add up their weight – it would amount to 1440 grams so over half a kilo more than the weight of the tested Sony model.

And this is ProAvs take on the new lens:

Sony A1II at  BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy, FotoErhardt, FotoKoch, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton, CameraPro. Sony Australia.
Sony 28-70mm f/2.0 GM at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy, FotoErhardt, Fotokoch, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton, CameraPro. Sony Australia.

First reviews of the new Samyang 35mm f/1.4 FE lens (lightest in it’s class)

SonyAlphaBlog tested the new Samyang 35mm f/1.4 FE lens and concluded:

The Samyang 35mm f1.4 AF Prima (600 euros) is an upgraded version from the Samyang 35mm F1.4 AF II (700 euros). it is cheaper, lighter, more compact, a bit sharper but has downgraded ergonomics
Overall image quality is very good to excellent (on 33Mpix sensor) , color rendering, bokeh, background blur are very good. Improvement points are the sharpness wide open on 61Mpix, level of CA , Resistance to flare , Vignetting

And this is Artur’s review of the lens:

Sony 28-70mm f/2.0 review by SonyAlphaBlog: “an ideal choice for wedding photographers”

SonyAlphaBlog tested the new lens and concluded:

The Sony 28-70mm F2 GM is a surprisingly lightweight (918g) F2 zoom lens that is suitable for everyday use. Except for the drop in performance at the corners of the 28mm, it excels in most areas, including resolution, color rendition, micro-contrast, and smooth bokeh. It is an ideal choice for wedding photographers.

Also PCmag tested the lens and concluded:

The Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM matches the flexibility of a zoom with the image quality and background-blurring power of a prime, and somehow doesn’t break your back in the process.

Sony A1II at  BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy, FotoErhardt, FotoKoch, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton, CameraPro. Sony Australia.
Sony 28-70mm f/2.0 GM at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy, FotoErhardt, Fotokoch, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton, CameraPro. Sony Australia.

New Sony A1II tests by Dan Watson and Manny Ortiz

Sony A1II at  BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy, FotoErhardt, FotoKoch, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton, CameraPro. Sony Australia.
Sony 28-70mm f/2.0 GM at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy, FotoErhardt, Fotokoch, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton, CameraPro. Sony Australia.

Dan Watson and Manny Ortiz gave further insight into the Sony A1II, also addressing the point of criticism with complete honesty. Still, I think the Sony A1II is the best Alpha camera in the lineup. The only real flaw is the higher price compared to the competition. But for professionals, some of the features are worth the price. So it really depends on your needs!