Camera
Review: DJI’s FPV drone combines DJI features with the fun of a racing drone
DJI has officially entered the FPV (first-person-view) drone market. Typically, remote pilots interested in the type of immersive flight experience FPV drones provide, including the ability to maneuver through tight spaces and in close proximity to objects, all while performing aerobatics such as flips and rolls, had to also master an entirely different set of skills.
Soldering, understanding how to configure an RC controller specifically for a drone, learning how frequencies work, and installing the right motors are just a few disciplines a would-be FPV pilot must undertake to create a safe and effective FPV flight system.
Some people who delight in these challenges will always enjoy the process of building, but DJI is betting many more people will want to cross over to FPV with an intuitive solution, and its FPV drone is ready to fly right out of the box for $1299. As an added bonus, the system is equipped with GPS, obstacle avoidance sensors, and a Return To Home feature – ensuring that beginners will be less likely to crash or lose their drone.
DJI tells us it set out to create a cinematic FPV drone and combined elements of its Mavic series with the features and functionalities of traditional FPV drones. Is this a product that will appeal to a broader audience, especially beginners? Or, are there downsides that would make some users look at more traditional drone models?
We had the opportunity to test DJI’s new FPV drone, so read on to discover if this is your ideal introduction to the world of FPV.
JKey specifications
- 795g (1.75 lbs.) total weight
- 255×312×127mm (with propellers)
- 1/ 2.3” 12MP CMOS image sensor
- 35mm equivalent lens (150º FOV)
- Ability to capture photo and video on the same flight
- 4k/60p and 1080/240p video at 120Mbps
- H.264 and H.265 codecs
- Emergency brake and hover
- Obstacle avoidance sensors on front and bottom of aircraft
- OcuSync 3.0 (O3) transmission system for 10km range, dual frequencies, 50 Mbps bitrate
- 20-minute max flight time
- 140 kph (87 mph) max speed
- Memory card holder in goggles in case drone is lost
Here is a basic comparison chart to get an idea of the difference between a traditional FPV drone and what DJI offers.
| Traditional FPV drones | DJI FPV | |
|---|---|---|
| Flight modes | Angle, Horizon, Acro | Normal, Sport, Manual |
| GPS | No | Yes |
| Obstacle avoidance | None | 4 stereoscopic sensors + an auxiliary light |
| Camera | Customizable | Built-in 4K/60p with 150º FOV and RockSteady EIS |
| Assembly | Requires in-depth knowledge of parts, radio frequencies, ESCs, motors, assembly, soldering | Already assembled and ready to fly right out of the box |
| Flight assistance | None | Return To Home, Emergency Brake and Hover |
| Auto-stabilization | None | Available for ‘N’ and ‘S’ modes |
| Flight time | 3 – 10 minutes | Up to 20 minutes |
| Battery type | Lithium Polymer (LiPo) | Intelligent Flight |
| Transmission | Analog, short-range, lower quality | Live digital video feed at 810/120p, low-latency |
The hardware
I tested the DJI Standard FPV Combo ($1,299), which includes the drone, FPV Goggles V2, and the remote controller 2. As usual, DJI offers an additional ‘Fly More’ combo that includes two extra batteries and a 3-battery charging hub for $299.
The goggles, which are 202x126x110mm with all four antennas attached, activate with the help of an 1800 mAh 9V battery that’s connected by a USB-C power cable. Lasting an estimated 110 minutes between charges, it’s light enough that it can hang down by your side while in operation. Still, I typically put the battery in the pocket of a coat I was wearing as an extra measure to ensure the battery didn’t get disconnected.
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DJI’s FPV drone features a new OcuSync 3.0 transmission system. It boasts a 10 km (6.2 mile) range, dual-frequencies, a 50 Mbps bitrate, and three options for first-person-viewing – a Low-latency HD mode for near-real-time feed and clear image, Smooth mode for higher frame rates and decreased latency, and Audience mode. The latter option allows others wearing V2 goggles to join in and view your real-time feed.
4K/60p footage with the camera facing upward. FPV mode through the goggles is very smooth, thanks to OcuSync 3.0 transmission.
The FPV drone will also operate on DJI’s Fly app, introduced in 2019 for the Mavic Mini. It’s cleaner and more pared down for a superior user experience. The app is still in beta and wasn’t available for testing with the FPV drone. Nevertheless, I activated all of the drone’s features through drop-down menu items in the goggles.
The joystick-type button on the top lower-right-hand corner will guide the pilot through numerous settings and features for both the remote and camera. The goggles receive up to 810/60p video transmission in high-quality mode and less than 28 milliseconds of latency, or 120 fps in low-latency mode.
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V2 of DJI’s remote controller is ergonomically friendly and gives you immediate access to features you’ll need including Return to Home, a gimbal wheel that can pitch the camera upwards and downwards at 90-degree angles, the ability to switch back and forth between flight modes, plus a button to stop the drone and put it in a stable hover if control of the drone is suddenly lost. You can also lock the gimbal at an upward or downward angle.
One note: I did not receive the hand motion controller due to shipping delays. This review will be updated once I’ve tested it out.
Photos and Video
The camera uses a 12MP, 1/2.3” sensor, providing a 150º FOV, and is mounted on a 1-axis gimbal. Capable of capturing stills and video up to either 4K/60p, or 1080p/120p for 4X slow motion, at 120 Mbps, the camera uses an electronic roll axis and RockSteady image stabilization. While it provides smoother imagery than most FPV drones, it’s not comparable to the 3-axis mechanical image stabilization offered up in DJI’s other series of photography drones, including the Mavic.
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| DJI’s FPV drone takes decent photos at times. If you’re serious about aerial photography, though, the Mavic 2 Pro is a better investment. |
Remote pilots can capture .JPG and images or .MP4 and .MOV clips all in the same flight. It’s easy to toggle back and forth between these modes. While the photos I captured are decent enough, there were times when the drone was tilted, resulting in photos with crooked horizons. Also, photo resolution is limited to 3840×2160, the same as 4K video. Anyone serious about drone photography will probably want to look at a more-photo-centric model; the FPV drone is fun to fly but is not a replacement for traditional photography drones.
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| There’s a fair amount of fisheye distortion from the FPV drone’s wide lens, though a distortion correction function in the camera menu can be applied. |
I typically enjoy recording aerial videos with the gimbal tilted down. With the wide FOV on the FPV drone, it is likely parts of the propellers will become visible. I also noticed some fisheye effect in some of my clips. To prevent this, you can either tilt the gimbal up as the aircraft moves forward or adjust settings through the goggles. To do this, access Advanced Camera Settings in the Camera menu and select Distortion Correction.
In-flight
Obstacle avoidance and flight modes
There are four obstacle avoidance sensors on the FPV drone – two in the front of the aircraft and two on the bottom with an auxiliary light that helps with precision movement in low-light environments. Obstacle avoidance sensors only work when the drone is flown in ‘N’ or Normal mode. This mode is suitable for beginners and highly recommended for those flying an FPV drone for the first time.
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| An auxiliary light helps with precision in low-light conditions. |
You’ll also be limited to flying to 50 km/h (31 mph) in normal mode. The drone is stabilized the entire time and will slow down if it approaches a forward or downward-facing obstacle. ‘S’ or sport mode disables obstacle avoidance sensors and ups the excitement factor. The drone can travel up to 97 km/h (60 mph) and can perform pitches and rolls at limited angles, all while maintaining altitude and stabilization for the entire flight.
In normal mode, you can’t fly quite as aggressively, but obstacle avoidance sensors are active. This is a good setting for first-time FPV fliers.
‘M’ or manual mode is reserved for the experts. One may believe, at first, that manual mode can be triggered through the remote with the press of a button. It’s a bit more complicated. Operating a drone in Acro mode is challenging, to say the least. While flipping and rolling a drone looks fun, in reality, it’s easy to get disoriented. DJI anticipated the potential hazard of a first-time user accidentally activating manual mode from the remote controller.
You can crank the speed up to 97 km/h (60 mph) in Sport mode, though that still falls short of the 140 km/hr (87 mph) you can achieve in Manual mode.
As a result, users can only activate manual mode with a series of steps from the menu options through the goggles. Add in the fact that you can fly up to 140 km/hr (87 mph) in this mode, and it’s easy enough to lose control, even when Emergency Brake and Hover can still be activated.
DJI’s Virtual Flight app simulator was created so pilots could practice FPV maneuvers without a crash risk. Nevertheless, without a lot of flight experience, an accident is still a strong possibility. Practicing in an open space such as a field or park cannot be recommended enough.
Odds and Ends
Looking at DJI’s FPV drone, the battery is noticeably massive in scale and helps balance out the aircraft. At 2000 mAh, DJI’s Intelligent Flight batteries offer up to 20 minutes of flight time – a huge improvement over typical FPV drones. As a bonus, they’re not the typical LiPos that can catch fire if overcharged or not stored properly.
DJI’s Intelligent Flight batteries offer up to 20 minutes of flight time – a huge improvement over typical FPV drones.
A flap under the camera houses ports for a MicroSD card and USB cable should you want to make updates to your drone through your computer. There is also a MicroSD slot located on the goggles. If you lose your FPV drone, you’ll still retain a memory card. This is an incredible new feature for those concerned about losing their imagery in the event of an accident. I hope DJI implements this concept in some way on future models.
What’s it like to fly?
In both ‘N’ and ‘S’ modes, DJI’s FPV drone is a great deal of fun to fly. It’s also an incredibly reassuring experience. Besides the Return to Home button, there is a bright white ‘H’ that pops up in the goggle’s viewfinder. It marks where you are relative to your launch point at all times. The system is also equipped with ADS-B technology. During a recent flight, I was immediately notified when a helicopter was nearby and was given ample time to adjust my flight path and altitude.
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One downside is that even though this FPV drone is relatively compact, it is quite noisy. It emits a high-pitched squeal that can be heard from several hundred feet away. Flying discreetly is out of the question. During one of my first flights, my daughter joked if it was the drone or ‘the ice fishers on the frozen lake screaming.’ DJI has worked tirelessly on improving ESCs and designing more aerodynamic propellers. Curiously, these updates weren’t applied to the FPV drone.
Conclusion
Anyone hesitating to enter into the world of FPV because they didn’t have the time or patience to learn about all the factors that go into building a capable system will naturally want to try out DJI’s latest release. As mentioned at the beginning of this review, it’s an out-of-the-box product that can be activated almost immediately. When you add in fail-safe features, including GPS, Return to Home, Emergency Brake and Hover, it makes it that much more enticing to dive in.
That being said, there are a few concerns that come to mind. Traditional FPV drones are known for being resilient. Lightweight and constructed out of flexible materials made of carbon fiber, for example, they can crash into objects and require a motor replacement or a bit of soldering. DJI’s FPV drone consists of a tough plastic shell that will break with a high enough impact.
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| DJI’s ‘Fly More’ combo for the FPV drone includes two extra batteries and a 3-battery charging hub for $299. |
The ability to truly freestyle, fly close to objects, and through narrow spaces is part of what makes FPV flight exhilarating. If you feel like you’re going to significantly damage your drone and ship it off for repair every time it collides with an object, the true joy of flying FPV will be stifled to a degree.
I had the unfortunate experience of crashing my DJI FPV loaner in manual mode, and it needed to be sent back to DJI for repairs. Even if I possessed the skills required to build and repair FPV units, it wouldn’t have been possible for me to do it myself. People who like to customize their builds and tinker likely won’t want to be at the mercy of one manufacturer when it comes to repairs or parts replacement.
Another issue that will bug some purists is the inability to replace or use more than the camera built into DJI’s FPV drone. It isn’t designed to carry an additional payload. Pilots won’t be able to attach a GoPro or OSMO Action camera, for example. The lack of flexibility in the camera is limiting and will be a turn-off for some FPV filmmakers.
I had the unfortunate experience of crashing my DJI FPV loaner in manual mode and it needed to be sent back to DJI for repairs.
Geofencing is another longstanding feature of DJI’s that rubs some people the wrong way. While all pilots need to be safe and compliant, some have switched to other drone brands to avoid and restrictions it brings up altogether. Even if you remain low to the ground, the drone will not take off if the airspace is considered restricted.
What will appeal to almost anyone is the long-range flight this drone offers. FPV is traditionally associated with close range and choppy analog feeds. If you stray too far from your home base, you run the risk of losing connection completely – which is a potential hazard. With DJI’s FPV drone, you can fly much longer distances so long as you remain within visual line of sight.
DJI’s FPV drone is certainly going to appeal to those who want to get into this style of flying. Purists who’ve already built advanced FPV drones that are resilient and carry their preferred camera will likely pass on this one. My main concern is that most remote pilots new to FPV won’t truly be prepared to operate in manual mode. While flips and rolls look exciting, it takes a lot of practice and perseverance to get the right feel for it. DJI Care Refresh is available in any event.
What we like
- GPS, Emergency Brake feature, Return to Home, Hover
- OcuSync 3.0 for clear transmission and long-range
- 4K/60p video
- Modes to suit beginner and advanced pilots
- Activates and is ready to fly right out of the box
What we don’t
- Lack of ability to switch out cameras
- Extremely loud
- Will likely need to be sent to DJI for repair if crashed
Wildlife Photographer of the Year winners
The 11th annual International Landscape Photographer of the Year competition has announced the winners of its 2024 awards, showcasing stunning imagery from around the world. Photographers competed in various categories, including the coveted Landscape Photographer of the Year, requiring a portfolio of at least four images, and Landscape Photograph of the Year, recognizing the power of a single captivating shot.
This year’s competition saw Canadian photographer Andrew Mielzynski, an amateur with a deep connection to the natural environment, claim the top prize for his portfolio of stark images with simple color palettes. Ryohei Irie from Japan captured the Landscape Photograph of the Year award with a mesmerizing image of fireflies illuminating a forest.
Beyond the overall winners, the competition presented awards in specific categories, including Black and White, Aerial, Snow and Ice, and Forest, along with at-large winners. In addition to the overall and category winners, we’ve included several of our favorite photos from the 202 photographs recognized this year. You can visit the competition’s website to see all the winning images or to download its 2024 eBook.
Landscape Photographer of the Year: 1st place
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Photographer: Andrew Mielzynski, Canada
Subject and location: Cono de Arita in the Salar de Arizaro, Atacama Desert in Argentina
Description: The Cono is a perfectly cone-shaped volcano at 3,690 meters above sea level. It’s very graphic due to the contrast between the dark, perfectly formed cone and the bed of white salt that is found at its base.
Copyright Andrew Mielzynski / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Landscape Photographer of the Year: 1st place
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Photographer: Andrew Mielzynski, Canada
Subject and location: Winter Cottonwoods, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Description: During the pandemic, I went out for a walk at a local park during a fierce winter storm. I ran across this scene. It seemed very chaotic, with many layers of trees. I loved how the snow, driven by high winds, was embedded into the bark of the trunks. The snow on the bark created a textural contrast that adds detail and interest to the trees. I took a few frames, trying to simplify the scene in front of me and settled on this one, loving the tones, the depth, the order and the minimalism. Even in a chaotic scene, there seems to be a sense of balance that feels orderly and pleasing.
Copyright Andrew Mielzynski / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Landscape Photographer of the Year: 1st place
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Photographer: Andrew Mielzynski, Canada
Subject and location: Found in a roadside ditch near Heathcote, Ontario, Canada
Description: After a melt, we had a flash freeze with extremely cold temperatures and a clear blue sky. I was driving by a ditch on the side of a road that had been filled with water and had to stop and look (as we photographers do, can’t pass a ditch without investigating). This is what I found. Great textures and patterns, tones and flow, with lovely graphic lines creating a dynamic, abstract designs. I love this type of work – it’s so much fun, yet challenging to find just the right composition.
Copyright Andrew Mielzynski / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Landscape Photographer of the Year: 2nd place
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Photographer: Ignacio Palacios, Australia
Subject and location: Pumice Field, La Puna, Argentina
Copyright Ignacio Palacios / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Landscape Photographer of the Year: 2nd place
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Photographer: Ignacio Palacios, Australia
Subject and location: Seven Colors Mountain, Siloli Desert, Bolivian Altiplano
Copyright Ignacio Palacios / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Landscape Photographer of the Year: 2nd place
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Photographer: Ignacio Palacios, Australia
Subject and location: Arita Cone, La Puna, Argentina
Copyright Ignacio Palacios / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Landscape Photographer of the Year: 3rd place
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Photographer: Gheorghe Popa, Romania
Subject and location: Early Autumn, Vânători Neamț Natural Park, Romania
Copyright Gheorghe Popa / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Landscape Photographer of the Year: 3rd place
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Photographer: Gheorghe Popa, Romania
Subject and location: Poisoned Beauty, Geamăna, Apuseni Mountains, Romania
Copyright Gheorghe Popa / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Landscape Photographer of the Year: 3rd place
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Photographer: Gheorghe Popa, Romania
Subject and location: Whispers of the Sunken Trees Cuejdel Lake, Romania
Copyright Gheorghe Popa / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Landscape Photograph of the Year: 1st place
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Photographer: Ryohei Irie, Japan
Subject and location: Traces of Light, Ichinomata, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan
Description: The Landscape Photograph of the Year Award went to Ryohei Irie of Japan. He likes the mysterious atmosphere created by the standing dead trees and firefly light. “I have been visiting this Subject and location for several years during the firefly season, and it is an interesting place because the intensity and length of the firefly light and the Subject and location where the fireflies fly vary greatly, depending on the year and time of day, resulting in completely different works, even when photographed in the same way.”
Copyright Ryohei Irie / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Landscape Photograph of the Year: 2nd place
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Photographer: Justinus Sukotjo, Indonesia
Subject and location: Mother Care Framing, Walakiri Beach, Sumba Island, Indonesia
Copyright Justinus Sukotjo / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Landscape Photograph of the Year: 3rd place
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Photographer: Himadri Bhuyan, India
Subject and location: The Flow, Sohra, Meghalaya, India
Copyright Himadri Bhuyan / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
The Black and White Award
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Photographer: J. Fritz Rumpf, United States
Award: The Black and White Award 2024
Subject and location: White Tie Affair. Death Valley National Park, California, USA
Copyright J. Fritz Rumpf / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
The Aerial Award
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Photographer: Benjamin Barakat, Switzerland
Award: The Aerial Award 2024
Subject and location: The Final Dune, Namibia
Copyright Benjamin Barakat / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
The Snow and Ice Award
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Photographer: Jeroen van Nieuwenhove, Iceland
Award: The Snow and Ice Award 2024
Subject and location: Isþyrlu – Ice Swirl, Scoresbysund, Greenland
Copyright Jeroen van Nieuwenhove / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
The Forest Award
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Photographer: Shirley Wung, Taiwan
Award: The Forest Award 2024
Subject and location: Fireflies flying in the Misty Mountains, Wufeng Township, Hsinchu, Taiwan
Copyright Shirley Wung / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
The Exciting Sky Award
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Photographer: Federico Delucchi, Italy
Award: The Exciting Sky Award 2024
Subject and location: Aurora, meteor shower and other cool stuff, Rocca la Meja, Italy
Copyright Federico Delucchi / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Other top entries
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Photographer: Laura Bennet, United States
Subject and location: Sumba Island, Indonesia
Copyright Laura Bennet / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Other top entries
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Photographer: William Preite, Italy
Subject and location: Pale di San Martino, Falcade, Dolomites, Italy
Copyright William Preite / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Other top entries
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Photographer: Siegfried Makedanz, Germany
Subject and location: Sandfellsjökull Glacier Lagoon, Southern Iceland
Copyright Siegfried Makedanz / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Other top entries
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Photographer: Sabine Weise, Germany
Subject and location: Moonscape Overlook, Utah Badlands, USA
Copyright Sabine Weise / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Other top entries
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Photographer: Yuriy Vantowski, United States
Subject and location: Mount Bromo, East Java, Indonesia
Copyright Yuriy Vantowski / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Other top entries
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Photographer: Tanay Das, India
Subject and location: Kistwa, Himalaya, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Copyright Tanay Das / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Other top entries
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Photographer: Rajesh Jyothiswaran, United States
Subject and location: Texas, United States
Copyright Rajesh Jyothiswaran / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
| Images: Canon, Nikon |
It wasn’t long ago that many of our reviews of APS-C cameras had to come with a warning: no matter how good the body was, you were almost certainly going to be limited by lens selection. This was especially true with Nikon and Canon’s mirrorless cameras. Sony has followed its longstanding tradition of letting third parties build out a healthy selection of lenses, and the selection for Fujifilm’s APS-C-only X-mount is second to none, but Nikon’s Z mount and Canon’s RF mount appeared to be almost completely locked down. As a result, you could count the number of APS-C lens options available on your fingers.
But things are changing. Over the past year, we’ve seen several APS-C lenses announced and released for Canon and Nikon cameras, filling notable gaps in the first-party lens lineups. But while the situation is improving, it’s clear that the two companies are still in control.
This week, Sigma released four APS-C primes for Canon’s RF mount, making good on its promise to release six licensed lenses for the system – earlier this year, it released the 10-18mm F2.8 and 18-50mm F2.8. Meanwhile, Nikon has allowed Sigma to release select primes for Z-mount – a trio of F1.4 primes at 16, 30, and 56mm. It’s worth noting the company’s 23mm F1.4 is the only one of its APS-C primes that it hasn’t brought to Z-mount; it likely isn’t a coincidence that Nikon’s only first-party APS-C prime lens is a 24mm F1.7.
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Sigma’s APS-C prime lens lineup is quite good, and now most of them are available for almost any mirrorless APS-C camera.
Image: Sigma |
However, Nikon hasn’t stopped companies like Viltrox and Sirui from releasing a slew of Z-mount APS-C prime lenses, complete with autofocus. If you pick up a Nikon Zfc or Z50II, you can get anywhere from a 13mm F1.4 (20mm equiv.) to a 75mm F1.2 (113mm equiv.) to go with it, as well as most of the classic focal lengths in between.
Your choices are no longer limited to a few first-party options, manual-focus only lenses, or glass meant for full-frame bodies
This is an important change for APS-C shooters. Even going back to the DSLR days, it’s felt like many manufacturers have viewed the format as a stepping stone to full-frame rather than something enthusiasts and pros might consciously choose. Neither Canon nor Nikon have been particularly prolific when releasing new APS-C glass. But with the gates being slightly opened, you’re no longer limited to a few first-party options, manual-focus-only lenses from third parties, or heavier, more expensive full-frame lenses. Now, there’s at least some selection of third-party lenses with autofocus to choose from, alongside Canon and Nikon’s offerings.
This isn’t to say that you can now buy any APS-C camera you want and be assured that all the lenses you want will be available – you are still at the mercy of what Canon and Nikon wish to allow. While plenty of primes are available for Z-mount APS-C cameras, no fast zoom lenses are available; Nikon’s all start at F3.5 and end at F5.6 or F6.3.
In fact, there are currently no third-party APS-C zooms available for Nikon Z-mount at all, despite the fact that two have made the jump from E and X-mount to RF – it also goes without saying that there are many others more available on Fujifilm and Sony’s systems. That’s a bummer for anyone looking to step up from the kit lens or wanting to shoot sports or birds in anything but ideal lighting without having to shell out for and lug around a full-frame 70-200mm.
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Tamron has promised to bring its 11-20mm F2.8 APS-C lens to Canon RF mount this year as well – no word on Z-mount, despite Tamron bringing some of its full-frame lenses to Nikon.
Image: Tamron |
RF mount at least has the two constant F2.8 zooms thanks to Sigma, with one more on the way from Tamron, though those are all at the wide end. However, there are far fewer autofocus primes available for Canon, as manufacturers like Sirui and Viltrox aren’t producing them. That’s not surprising; a representative for the latter once said that Canon had told it to stop producing products for RF mount. The 85mm F1.4 lens that Samyang announced for the system in 2020 also disappeared from the market not long after.
In a perfect world, these problems wouldn’t exist. Canon and Nikon would make the lenses that their APS-C cameras needed to stand on their own feet as a real alternative to full-frame options, and there would be robust competition from third parties, which would be allowed to make whatever lenses they want.
None of that seems particularly likely. However, at least those who choose to shoot with a smaller sensor in a Canon or Nikon body have gotten a wider choice of lenses, even if they’re still bound by the companies’ rules.
At the end of the day, that’s better for everyone interested in APS-C, because it means that cameras like the EOS R7 and Z50II are competitive with the Sony a6700 and Fujifilm X-T5 in a way that they wouldn’t have been with an extremely limited lens selection. With any luck, this trend will continue, and the APS-C landscape will become more competitive – even if Canon and Nikon aren’t giving it their full attention.
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The FE 28-70mm F2.8 GM, attached to the newly-announced a1 II.
Photo: Mitchell Clark |
Sony has announced the FE 28-70mm F2 GM, a zoom lens that trades 4mm at the wide end for an aperture that’s a stop brighter than the one found on a classic 24-70mm F2.8. It’s the company’s first constant F2 zoom lens for its E-mount cameras.
The lens’s optical formula consists of 20 elements in 14 groups, with three aspherical lenses, three super ED elements, and one ED element. It uses an 11-blade aperture. The front element has an oil and water-resistant flourine coating, and the lens is moisture and dust resistant.
It’s far from a compact lens, though it’s not as monstrously large as you might expect – it weighs in at 918g (32 oz) and is around 140mm (5.5″) long. It has an 86mm filter thread.
Sony makes it obvious what lens it’s competing with; highlighting that it’s 36% lighter and 11% smaller in diameter than Canon’s RF 28-70mm F2 L lens while claiming better corner-to-corner sharpness. The company also says the lens’s four linear motors can focus even when shooting at 120fps, and emphasized that they’re quieter than the older ring-type ultrasonic style motor in the Canon F2. In fairness, that lens was one of the original RF-mount releases, announced in 2018.
“Sony makes it obvious which lens it’s competing with”
The quieter operation should help when shooting video. Other pluses for video: it has an internal focusing mechanism which should make it easier to use the lens on a gimbal, the ability to switch the aperture ring into clickless mode and supports the focus breathing compensation mode included on some Sony bodies. You can also set the manual focus ring to have a linear response, which should make focus pulls easier.
The lens has a variety of switches and buttons. There are two customizable focus hold buttons, an Iris lock switch, the aperture click switch and a zoom smoothness switch that lets you adjust between “smooth” and “tight” torque settings.
It’s not the fastest zoom lens available for E-mount: at the time of writing, that prize goes to Sigma’s 28-45mm F1.8, though that model has substantially less reach on the tele end and only a 1/3EV increase in light-gathering ability.
The FE 28-70mm F2 GM will be available in mid-December and has an MSRP of $2,899.
Sony Electronics Announces Its First Constant F2 Aperture Zoom Lens: The Full-Frame 28-70mm F2 G Master™
The Unique Combination of a Versatile Focal Range, Large F2 Aperture, and Compact Form Factor
SAN DIEGO, Nov. 19, 2024 – Sony Electronics Inc. introduces the 28-70mm F2 G Master, the first1 Sony zoom lens with a constant F2 aperture and 77th lens in the Sony E-Mount lineup. This full-frame lens offers a versatile focal range from 28mm to 70mm while delivering prime-like2 bokeh with its constant F2 aperture. Despite its wide aperture and zoom range, the 28-70mm F2 G Master remains compact, lightweight, and well-balanced, making it ideal for both photography and video applications. This combination of zoom range, large aperture, and compact design makes this an innovative and versatile lens for portrait, sports, wedding, event, and video professionals.
“Our goal with the 28-70mm F2 G Master was to create a high-performing zoom lens that could be a strong single lens alternative to multiple primes,” said Yang Cheng, Vice President of Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “We prioritized a lightweight design during the engineering process as we knew that was a critical factor for real-life, practical use. And in a manner that only Sony can do, we were able to deliver a small, standard F2 zoom lens that does not sacrifice image quality. We’re proud to add this to our G Master series and believe it is one of the most innovative lenses ever offered to professionals.”
Sharp Imagery and Beautiful Bokeh
The 28-70mm F2 G Master produces extremely sharp corner-to-corner results throughout the entire zoom range, even while shooting wide open at F2. The high-resolution output is made possible by the three XA (extreme aspherical) elements and three aspherical elements built within the lens that minimize aberrations. The lens also features a floating focusing system that helps maintain internal stability. This focusing mechanism enables an impressive minimum focusing distance of up to 14.8 inches (0.38m) throughout the entire zoom range.
Staying true to the G Master lens lineage, the lens’ aperture up to F2 produces extraordinary bokeh, ideal for creating images that showcase a shallow depth of field. The 28-70mm F2 amplifies the G Master bokeh standards through a newly designed 11-blade circular aperture unit. Chromatic aberrations, which cause color fringing within photos, are effectively minimized with three Super ED (extra-low dispersion) elements and one ED element built within the lens. Additionally, Sony’s Nano AR Coating II reduces flare and internal reflections, ensuring clear images, even when strong light sources are present in the frame.
Compact, Lightweight Design Without Compromising Quality
The 28-70mm F2 G Master is one of the most advanced mirrorless camera lenses manufactured with a total 20 different lens elements arranged within 14 internal groups. Despite the advanced optical design, the lens remains compact at 3.6 x 5.5 inches (92.9 x 139.8mm) and lightweight at approximately 32.3 ounces (918g). The combination of imaging performance and a compact form factor offers an innovative solution that meets the demands of industry professionals.
Precise Autofocus Tracking with Instant Response
Reliable and responsive autofocus is delivered through the lens’ four XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors powered by advanced control algorithms. This smooth performance system provides accurate and quick focus tracking, often essential in many professional use cases like weddings and sports. This lens is fully compatible with Sony’s Alpha 9 III‘s high-speed continuous shooting capabilities of up to 120 frames per second3 with AF/AE (autofocus/autoexposure) tracking, even while zooming.
Designed for High-Performance Video Shooting
Along with its F2 aperture, the zoom range of the 28-70mm G Master provides a versatile video option that can cover standard field-of-view shots and tighter compositions up to 70mm. This lens minimizes focus breathing through its build and compatibility with the Breathing Compensation feature on various Alpha bodies4. Its high autofocus performance ensures reliable focus even when recording in high frame rates up to 4K 120p / FHD 240p5. Additionally, the XD linear motors and newly developed aperture unit operates silently, preventing any lens noise from being captured during filming.
The lens is ideal for gimbal use with a minimal zoom extension of approximately .68 inches. The compact form factor and short external zoom helps maintain gimbal balance, even at varying focal lengths.
Operability and Reliability for Versatile Control
Key control features include Linear Response MF for intuitive manual focusing, adjustable zoom ring torque, and an aperture ring with a click ON/OFF switch. The lens also offers two customizable focus hold buttons, an iris lock switch, and an AF/MF switch. The 28-70mm F2 G Master has an 86mm filter diameter and a convenient window on the lens hood for variable filter adjustments.
For durability, all buttons and switches are sealed with silicone gaskets, and critical areas are designed to resist dust and moisture6. This ensures reliability, even while using in challenging outdoor environments. Additionally, a fluorine coating on the front element repels contaminants for easy cleaning.
Pricing and Availability
The 28-70mm F2 G Master will be available in December 2024 for approximately $2,899.99 USD and $3,999.99 CAD. It will be sold at a variety of Sony’s authorized dealers throughout North America.
A product video on the new 28-70mm F2 G Master can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/7Y_O5YYQIl0
For detailed product information about the 28-70mm F2 G Master, please visit: https://electronics.sony.com/imaging/lenses/full-frame-e-mount/p/sel2870gm
Exclusive stories and exciting new content shot with the new 28-70mm F2 G Master and Sony’s other imaging products can be found at www.alphauniverse.com, a site created to inform, educate, and inspire content creators.
Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM Specifications
| Principal specifications | |
|---|---|
| Lens type | Zoom lens |
| Max Format size | 35mm FF |
| Focal length | 28–70 mm |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Lens mount | Sony E, Sony FE |
| Aperture | |
| Maximum aperture | F2–20 |
| Minimum aperture | F2–20 |
| Aperture ring | Yes |
| Number of diaphragm blades | 11 |
| Optics | |
| Elements | 20 |
| Groups | 14 |
| Special elements / coatings | 3 aspherical, 3 super ED, 1 ED |
| Focus | |
| Minimum focus | 0.38 m (14.96″) |
| Maximum magnification | 0.23× |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Motor type | Linear Motor |
| Focus method | Internal |
| Distance scale | No |
| DoF scale | No |
| Physical | |
| Weight | 918 g (2.02 lb) |
| Diameter | 93 mm (3.66″) |
| Length | 140 mm (5.51″) |
| Sealing | Yes |
| Colour | Black |
| Filter thread | 86 mm |
| Hood supplied | Yes |
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