10 Best Sony Zoom Lenses 2025 in the United States

The Sony FE 600mm F4 GM Super Telephoto Lens (SEL600F40GM) is an impressive piece of equipment, particularly for wildlife and sports photographers. Its key selling point is that it is the world's lightest 600mm super-telephoto lens, making it easier to handle during long shoots. The focal length of 600mm allows you to capture distant subjects with great clarity, while the wide F4 aperture ensures excellent performance in low-light conditions and provides a beautiful background blur (bokeh). The use of a large XA (extreme aspherical) element helps to reduce spherical aberration, contributing to high image quality.

Autofocus speed and accuracy are top-notch, thanks to the inclusion of two Extreme Dynamic (XD) Linear Motors. These motors ensure fast, precise, and quiet focusing, which is crucial for capturing fast-moving subjects. The lens is built with the G Master quality, offering superior focusing speed up to 20fps, which is particularly beneficial for high-speed shooting scenarios. Additionally, the balanced weight design addresses the common issue of front-heaviness seen in similar lenses, providing a more comfortable user experience.

On the downside, this lens is a prime lens, meaning it does not offer a zoom range, so you are fixed at 600mm. Also, given its specialized nature and high performance, it comes with a hefty price tag, which might be a significant investment for some users. In terms of build quality, the lens is robust and weather-sealed, ensuring durability in various shooting conditions. However, its size and weight, while light for its category, still make it less portable compared to smaller lenses. The lens is compatible with Sony FE and Sony E mountings, making it versatile for users of Sony's full-frame and APS-C mirrorless cameras. This lens is best suited for professional photographers who need top-tier performance in capturing distant subjects.

The Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens is a top-tier choice for both professional and enthusiast photographers. Its focal length range of 24-70mm makes it versatile for various shooting scenarios, from wide-angle landscapes to portrait shots. The constant F2.8 aperture allows for excellent low-light performance and beautiful background blur, or bokeh, which enhances subject isolation.

Though this lens lacks built-in image stabilization, it performs exceptionally well when paired with Sony camera bodies that have in-body stabilization. The autofocus is notably fast, precise, and quiet, thanks to the four XD Linear Motors, making it suitable for both still photography and video recording, including high-speed shooting up to 30 frames per second and 4K 120p video capture.

This lens is remarkably light and compact for its class, weighing only 24.6 ounces (695 grams), which enhances its portability and ease of use during extended shoots. Its build quality is solid, featuring weather sealing that protects it from dust and moisture, making it reliable in various environmental conditions. Some users might miss built-in image stabilization, and the premium price could be a consideration. Additionally, its manual zoom system might not appeal to those who prefer motorized zooming. The Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens stands out in its class, delivering exceptional image quality, impressive autofocus capabilities, and a lightweight design that makes it a valuable addition to Sony E-mount camera systems.

The Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM Lens is a versatile zoom lens that aims to offer the quality of prime lenses with the convenience of a zoom. Its focal length range of 28-70mm makes it suitable for a variety of subjects, from portraits to landscapes. The constant F2 aperture is a significant advantage, offering excellent low-light performance and beautiful background blur (bokeh). This is enhanced by its 11-blade circular aperture unit, which helps create smooth, appealing bokeh effects without any onion-ring patterns or color bleeding. Image sharpness and contrast are consistently high across the frame, thanks to advanced optical elements including three XA (extreme aspherical) elements. This makes it a strong contender for both still photography and videography, where image quality is crucial.

Autofocus speed and accuracy are impressive, driven by four XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors that ensure quick and reliable focus tracking—especially useful for fast-paced environments like weddings or sports events. The lens is also designed to work seamlessly with high-speed burst modes, such as the 120 fps capability of the Sony α9 III. Build quality is robust, with weather sealing to protect against dust and moisture, making it a reliable choice for outdoor shooting. However, the lens is relatively heavy at 918 grams, which might be a consideration for those who prioritize portability.

Despite its weight, it maintains a compact form factor, measuring 92.9 x 139.8 mm. Compatibility is limited to Sony FE mount cameras, which is worth noting for users of other camera systems. The Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM Lens offers exceptional image quality, fast and accurate autofocus, and a versatile range of uses, though its weight and exclusive compatibility with Sony FE mounts might be potential drawbacks for some users.