Sony announces FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM ultra-wide zoom lens

Overnight, Sony has announced a new full-frame G Master lens - the Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM.

The new ultra wide-angle complements Sony's other 2.8 G-Master lenses - the 24-70mm and 70-200mm f/2.8 GM in the FE lineup, and according to the company is the world’s widest full-frame zoom lens with a constant f/2.8 aperture.

The FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM lens is dust and moisture resistant, and weighs 847 grams. Inside, there's three XA (extreme aspherical) elements, an additional aspherical element, and three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements, plus two Super ED glass elements.There are also nine aperture blades which Sony says should help achieve a pleasing bokeh.

On the lens itself there's also a Nano AR Coating which should suppress internal reflections and minimise flare and ghosting, and a fluorine coating that repels water, oil, and other contaminants.

The minimum focusing distance is 28cm, and there's a customisable focus hold button and focus-mode switch on the lens.

Sony have also developed a novel solution to fitting a filter kit to the lens, as due to the ultra-wide FOV, it is not possible to mount a typical front circular filter. Instead, Sony have equipped the lens with a rear filter holder that accommodates filters, and the company has also included a cutting template for sheet filters in the box.

And finally, the price. At $5,499, the lens is considerably more expensive than Sony's 12-24mm f4 G Zoom, which launched with an RRP of $2,699.

The FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM will be available in Australia from late July 2020, and you can find out more about the lens at Sony.