Sony 28-70mm f/2.0 GM Review: Big. Useful. Absurd?

Review of Sony's new 28-70 f/2.0 G Master Lens

The lens weighs 918 grams, making it just over two pounds.
The price is estimated to be between $2,800 and $3,000 US dollars.
The lens is half a pound heavier and a few hundred dollars more than the Sony 24-70 G Master Mark II.
The Canon version of the Sony lens weighs 1,430 grams and costs between $3,100 and $2,800.
The Sony lens is compared to the Canon lens, which has received complaints about autofocus and image quality.
Despite its size and weight, the Sony lens offers good performance and utility.
It features an 11-bladed iris and XD linear motors for autofocus.
The lens has a front filter diameter of 86 millimeters, which is larger than previous Sony lenses.
The use of a step-down ring allows for the use of 82 millimeter filters without any issues.

The Fotodiox lens is affordable and compatible with 82mm filters.
It has an AF-MF switch, two function buttons, and a de-clickable iris ring with an iris lock function.
The smooth-tight control adjusts the zoom ring response, which feels well-dampened.
The focus ring has a linear response and a focus throw of about 140 degrees.
The lens has minimal focus breathing and maintains its focus fairly well when zooming from 70mm to 28mm.
The maximum magnification is 0.23x at 70mm with a minimum focus distance of 38cm or 1.25ft.
The macro reproduction is significantly different between the 70mm and 28mm shots, with the 70mm shot being closer to 0.25x.

Barrel distortion and darker corners at 28mm, which can be corrected with profiles.
Close focusing performance is not as sharp and has aberration issues.
Comparison with Sony 35mm G Master shows the 28-70mm lens lacks in resolving detail at close distances.
The lens is still sharp overall, but not as good as primes at minimum focus distance.
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The 28-70mm lens is comparable in sharpness and detail to the 35mm G Master prime.
The lens aims to provide the versatility of multiple primes in one lens.

The f/2.0 primes perform well in terms of resolving text and corner sharpness, especially when compared to the zoom lens.
The zoom lens is able to closely match the performance of the prime lenses at a more modest distance.
The corner sharpness is better at 70mm compared to 28mm on the zoom lens.
Bokeh at 70mm f/2.0 shows some cat's eye effect and a bit of cutting in, with noticeable onion-ringing.
Stopping down to f/5.6 improves the overall bokeh quality, with no cutting in or cat's eye effect in the corners.
At 28mm, the bokeh is not as pleasing as at 70mm, with more cutting in and less roundness in the shapes.

Skin tones look nice.
Decent separation in shots.
Good color and detail in close-up shots.
Creamy background and good details up close.
Punchy greens and nice colors.
No complaints in shots with yellows.
Sterility of lens works well for flat look on leaves.
Detail is really good when not at minimum focus.
Focus transitions are smooth.
Impressed by the lens overall.
The 24-70mm f/2.8 lens may be more versatile for most people.
The 28-70mm lens serves a utilitarian purpose.
It's not too unwieldy in size and weight.
The lens produces pleasing images.
Some aspects may be better with prime lenses.
The lens is passable in terms of size and weight.
It may not be for everyone, but the review hopes to make buying decisions easier.