Sony G Master SEL1224GM 12-24mm

★★★★★ 4.9 (166)

The constant f/2.8 aperture across the 12-24mm range, combined with three XA elements for extreme corner-to-corner sharpness, sets this lens apart for ultra-wide shooting. Its dust and moisture-resistant construction and fluorine coating provide reliable field use, while the XD Linear Motor delivers fast, silent autofocus. This lens is best for landscape and architecture photographers who demand bright, distortion-free performance in challenging light.

Focal length 12-24mm
Aperture f/22
Mount Sony E
stabilization Yes
Weather Sealed Yes
Weight 847 g
af type XD Linear Motor
lens type zoom
Sony G Master SEL1224GM 12-24mm lens
73 Overall Score
Also available in:

Snapshot

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Strong optical (98th percentile) 98th
  • Strong af (98th percentile) 98th
  • Strong social proof (95th percentile) 95th
  • Strong stabilization (83rd percentile) 83rd

Cons

  • Below average build (21st percentile)
  • Below average aperture (23rd percentile)
  • Below average bokeh (26th percentile)

What owners think

How owner sentiment changed over time

Exclusive

Based on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.

Owner sentiment has held steady over time
1★2★3★4★5★Q3 '20: 4.9★ · 10 reviewsQ4 '20: 5.0★ · 6 reviewsQ1 '21: 4.9★ · 7 reviewsQ2 '21: 5.0★ · 6 reviewsQ3 '21: 5.0★ · 2 reviewsQ4 '21: 5.0★ · 4 reviewsQ1 '22: 5.0★ · 6 reviewsQ2 '22: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ3 '22: 5.0★ · 2 reviewsQ4 '22: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ1 '23: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ2 '23: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ3 '23: 5.0★ · 4 reviewsQ4 '23: 5.0★ · 3 reviewsQ1 '24: 4.8★ · 4 reviewsQ2 '24: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ4 '24: 5.0★ · 2 reviewsQ1 '25: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ3 '25: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ4 '25: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ2 '26: 5.0★ · 2 reviews1067624612111434121112Q3 '20Q1 '21Q3 '21Q1 '22Q3 '22Q1 '23Q3 '23Q1 '24Q4 '24Q3 '25Q2 '26
Avg ratingHappy (4-5★)Unhappy (1-2★)Bar height = number of reviews
  1. Q2 202695/1005.0★6 reviews

    Buyers praise the lens for sharpness, wide-angle performance, and versatility for astro and landscape. One reviewer notes edge fisheye effect and high price.

    • Sharp, high-quality lens with excellent wide-angle capability.
    • Great for astrophotography, landscape, and street photography.
    • Edge fisheye effect at 12mm noted; some see it as negligible.
    • One reviewer considers it too expensive.
  2. Q3 2023100/1005.0★3 reviews

    Buyers in Q3 2023 praised the lens as fantastic, satisfying, and great for wide-angle landscape and fireworks photography.

    • Overall satisfaction and happiness with the purchase.
    • Excellent lens quality described as fantastic.
    • Great wide-angle performance for landscapes and fireworks.
    • High portability and frequent use.
  3. Q1 2022100/1005.0★4 reviews

    Buyers in Q1 2022 praised the lens for sharpness, low-light performance, and minimal distortion. All reviews were 5-star, expressing high satisfaction.

    • Exceptional sharpness and clarity, even in corners and low light.
    • Minimal distortion or bending compared to other ultra-wide lenses.
    • Excellent performance for night landscapes and filmmaking.
    • High overall satisfaction, no regrets with purchase.
  4. Q2 2021100/1005.0★3 reviews

    Buyers praised the lens for its sharpness, fast autofocus, and minimal distortion, especially for landscape and storm photography.

    • Exceptional sharpness and image quality across all reviews.
    • Fast and accurate autofocus performance.
    • Minimal distortion, excellent for wide-angle shots.
    • Comparisons to older lenses imply demand for updated models.
  5. Q1 2021100/1005.0★4 reviews

    Buyers were delighted with the lens's sharpness, wide field of view, and suitability for real estate photography, despite its high price.

    • Superb sharpness and clarity across the frame
    • Excellent wide field of view
    • Ideal for real estate photography
    • Expensive but considered worth the cost
  6. Q3 202095/1004.9★8 reviews

    Buyers overwhelmingly praise the lens for its sharpness, wide aperture, and exceptional performance in real estate and astrophotography. Some note the high price and correctable distortion at 12mm.

    • Exceptional sharpness and clarity, especially at f/2.8, day and night.
    • Excellent for real estate interiors and landscape photography.
    • Great for astrophotography with minimal coma distortion.
    • High price; distortion at 12mm correctable in post.

Based on 66 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.

The proof

Performance

Performance Percentiles

AF 98
Bokeh 25.9
Build 21.3
Macro 74.4
Optical 98.3
Aperture 22.6
Versatility 72.1
Social Proof 94.9
Stabilization 83.2

Specifications

Full Specifications

Optics

Type Zoom
Focal Length Min 12
Focal Length Max 24
Elements 17
Groups 14
Aspherical Elements 4
ED Elements 5
Coating Nano AR Coating II

Aperture

Max Aperture f/22
Min Aperture f/2.8
Constant Yes
Diaphragm Blades 9

Build

Mount Sony E
Format full-frame
Weather Sealed Yes
Weight 0.8 kg / 1.9 lbs

AF & Stabilization

AF Type XD Linear Motor
Stabilization Yes

Focus

Min Focus Distance 280
Max Magnification 1:7

vs Competition

Spec Sony G Master SEL1224GM 12-24mm Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 VXD G2 Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-E08018
Focal Length 12-24mm 17-28mm 28-75mm 10-18mm 28-70mm 8-18mm
Max Aperture f/22 f/2.8 f/2.8 f/2.8 f/22 f/2.8
Mount Sony E Nikon Z Sony E Sony E Canon RF Micro Four Thirds
Stabilization true false false false true false
Weather Sealed true true true true true true
Weight (g) 847 450 540 260 495 315
AF Type XD Linear Motor Stepping Motor VXD Autofocus STM Linear motor
Lens Type zoom zoom zoom zoom zoom zoom
Compare Compare Compare Compare Compare
Product AFBokehBuildMacroOpticalApertureVersatilitySocial ProofStabilization
Sony G Master SEL1224GM 12-24mm 9825.921.374.498.322.672.194.983.2
Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare 86.988.173.686.386.985.868.164.637.9
Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 VXD G2 Compare 54.688.167.287.387.885.878.283.137.9
Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare 54.683.587.393.381.685.869.168.837.9
Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM Compare 86.925.970.280.48522.677.187.998.5
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-E08018 Compare 9883.583.934.593.185.875.577.937.9

Price

Value & Pricing

From CA$3,998 1 offer across 1 retailer
Amazon.ca 1 offer From CA$3,998

Price History

CA$3,850 CA$3,900 CA$3,950 CA$4,000 CA$4,050 May 15Jul 19 CA$3,998

Usage Scores

Macro (78.7)Overall (72.5)Budget (74.9)Street (60.8)Travel (63.7)Portrait (53.4)Landscape (75)Professional (76)Video Cinema (68.5)Wildlife Sports (72.2)

A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.

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