My first impression
I was given less than three (3) days to try out the latest Sony FE 24-70MM F2.8 II GM. ‘Wow’ was the first word that came to my mind, the latest Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM standard zoom lens is much lighter and smaller as compared to its predecessor and also the smallest and lightest (as of April 2022) in its class. It is only weighed 695g and 119.9mm in height compared to the version weight of 886g and 136mm in height. That is approximately 18% smaller in volume and approximately 20% lighter. It is nicely built and excellent lens (after I tried it for a couple of days), with a slightly high price tag attached to it.

Like its predecessor, the Sony FE 24-70MM F2.8II GM is a ‘Must Have’ lens, as far as serious Sony Alpha user is concerned, especially those who like to travel light.

Optical Performance
Being an all-time supporter of a prime lens, my major concern when I picked up the Sony FE 24-70MM F2.8 II GM from Sony Malaysia is the image quality. Therefore, image sharpness at various focal lengths at wide open and image restoration is my top concern. And the new Sony FE 24-70MM F2.8 GM II comes with the latest optical design which combined with a floating focus mechanism are able to produce sharp images with outstanding resolution at all zoom and aperture setting but also controls chromatic aberration, astigmatism, and distortion.

It is razor-sharp
The Sony FE 24-70MM F2.8 GM II is ultra-sharp in the centre of the frame and also the four corners over the full focal length range. The image resolution throughout the image area is simply stunning.

Chromatic aberration (CA)
I can hardly see any CA from my shots, I believe the latest Super ED (extra-low dispersion) and ED Glass elements played a very important role in reducing the CA and generating sharp and detailed images.

Flare and ghosting
Sony’s original Nano AR Coating II technology combines the lens’s optical design and has effectively subdued flare and ghosting as well as suppressed internal reflections.

The awesome G Master Bokeh
The newly designed 11 circular blades and the advanced optics (two XA elements manufactured to 0.01-micron surface precision suppress onion ring bokeh) help to create round, smooth, creamy and beautiful bokeh throughout the entire zoom range.

I can get closer now
The floating focus ensures pinpoint sharpness throughout the zoom range, while the inner focus makes getting close easy.
Minimum focusing distance range between 0.21m (24mm) – 0.3m (70mm).

Autofocus
It is FAST and SILENT. I was not able to test the tracking performance while zooming and the 30fps continuous shooting due to time constraints.

Conclusion
As I mentioned at the very beginning of the review or test, I was given only three (3) days to try out the new Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II, Sony has come so far from behind to improve in their lenses technology, especially the G Master series. I do recall when I first started with my photography path with Sony Alpha camera, I had been using lenses with adapter on Sony camera body but NOT now.
The adapter is no longer the best choice, because the native Sony Emount lenses, both G series or the G Master series are the best option.
Last but not least, serious Sony-based photographers and videographers should have this lens – Sony FE 24-70MM F2.8 GM II in their camera bag.