The FE 12-24mm F4 G plays second fiddle to the FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM. Not only is it more compact than its senior relative, it’s 280g lighter. It features a bulbous front element and fixed hood to protect it. The only issue with this is that it can’t accept screw-in filters so an adapter ring and slot-in filter system are required if the use of filters is a priority. As well as feeling great in the hand, it produces tack sharp results from edge to edge at f/8. That being said you do need to make a few compromises for its extremely wide field of view. In-camera lens compensation must be turned on to correct distortion and it vignettes quite heavily wide open at 12mm.

The 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art isn’t just one of the best ultra-wide zooms Sigma has made, it’s one of the finest examples for full-frame mirrorless cameras full stop. It’s over 300g lighter than SLR versions, which helps reduce kitbag weight when walking to and from locations, plus it benefits from weather sealing to ensure it’s protected when conditions deteriorate. Its maximum aperture is useful in low light scenarios, but to achieve optimum corner-to-corner sharpness it’s best to stop down to f/5.6. If it’s astro, architectural or landscape photography you’re into and the FE 16-35mm F2.8 G Master isn’t wide enough, this magnificent lens will do you proud.

A firm favourite of Sony Alpha 7-series users and those who’d like to squeeze more of their surroundings in the frame, this professional ultra-wide-angle zoom doesn’t disappoint in the slightest. It excels in every area a fantastic wide-angle lens should and allows anyone who’d like to mount filters or adapters to do so via its 82mm filter thread. It’s not averse to barrel distortion at the 16mm end of the zoom, but makes up for this up in other areas, notably its impressive sharpness, weather resistance, fast focusing and customisable focus hold button. It’s a sensational ultra-wide zoom that compliments Sony’s full-frame mirrorless cameras brilliantly.

This large lens makes a fine choice for moviemakers who’d like a superzoom that covers a wide focal range and provides access to multiple lens rings and every setting that’s needed. Lighter than its size suggests and equipped with Optical Steady Shot (OSS), it produces smooth handheld footage with full-frame and APS-C cameras that feature in-body image stabilisation (IBIS). The zoom can be operated manually or set to Servo, with the latter providing fast, silent and precise powered zoom control direct from the barrel. A de-clickable aperture ring emphasizes its usefulness for video work. It’s a sharp lens, but does display barrel distortion at 18mm and vignetting at wide apertures.

It may not flaunt Sony’s premium G-master status, but this doesn’t take anything away from what is a stunning example of a 24-105mm f/4 zoom for full-frame A7-series cameras. It’s reasonably light yet solid and features effective optical image stabilisation and a dust and moisture resistant design that protects it from light rain. Manual focus is fly-by-wire and both the focus ring and zoom ring are smooth to operate. Image quality is off the chart for a lens of its pedigree. Users can expect razor sharp results with minimal loss of contrast and no obvious flare or ghosting when shooting towards the light. It also pairs up well with Sony’s demanding high-resolution A7R series cameras to produce images bursting with exquisite detail.

The FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM has been a staple part of Sony’s lineup of full-frame E-mount lenses since 2016. Its G-Master status reflects its position as the premium professional standard zoom for Sony Alpha 7-series cameras and its constant maximum aperture of f/2.8 and sensational sharpness are valid reasons to choose it ahead of the Sony FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS. It returns outstanding images with whatever Alpha 7-series mirrorless camera it’s mounted on, be it the A7S III, or the high-resolution prowess of the A7R IV. It doesn’t feature optical image stabilisation, nevertheless is regarded as the finest example of a fast standard zoom in E-mount.

The FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM is an updated “holy trinity” standard zoom.

The SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary redefines the standard zoom by combining outstanding optical performance, an F2.8 constant aperture and a lightweight and compact body.

Inheriting technology from Sony professional equipment, the FE PZ 28-135mm F4.0 OSS power zoom boasts a precision optical design that supports 4K as well as upcoming high-resolution formats with minimum breathing and image shift.