3-Way Shootout @ 24mm: Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM vs Sigma FE 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art vs Zeiss Loxia 25mm f/4: Brilliant Backlit Beaver Pond Meadow
Related: beaver pond, Castor canadensis, Sigma, Sigma FE, Sigma FE 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art, Sigma Lenses, Sony, Sony FE, Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM, Sony Lenses, Zeiss, Zeiss Distagon, Zeiss Lenses, Zeiss Loxia, Zeiss Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon, Zeiss mirrorless lenses
See my Sony mirrorless wishlist.
Compared here at 24mm on the 60-megapixel Sony A7R IV are the Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM to its Sigma FE 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art and the Zeiss Loxia 25mm f/2.4.
In First Ice on Beaver Pond, it was clear that the Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM outperformed the Zeiss Loxia 21mm f/2.8. However, the Zeiss Loxia 25mm f/2.8 is a more recent design and my favorite of the Loxia lineup—might the 25mm prime lens be more competitive?
Includes images at up to full camera resolution from f/2.8 through f/13 with extensive crops and analysis.
The Zeiss Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon acquits itself well here, but with some undesirable behaviors (in a practical usability sense). The Sigma FE 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art shows clearly that the Sony 12-24/2.8 GM is easily the new king of the mountain.
The about $2998 Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM is surely the best zoom lens of its kind ever produced. If it’s not as good or better than just about all the prime lenses in its range, then I’ve not seen the right lens.
Sony A7R IV + Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM @ 24mm
ENV: Lundy Canyon, altitude 8050 ft / 2454 m, 45°F / 7°C
RAW: LACA corrected, push 0.17 stops, +30 Whites, +15 Clarity, diffraction mitigating sharpening
[low-res image for bot]
