The 70-200mm Mark II is the first Sony G Master lens update. The announcement is significant because it has been six years since the original Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II shipped. And, while still a good lens, the technology at Sony has advanced considerably.
The new 70-200mm Mark II is lighter, using internal zoom mechanics, and focuses up to 4x faster. That means it is also more accurate. The added aperture ring control is much more friendly for video. New optics make it sharper edge-to-edge as well.
All-in-all, the Mark II is a solid upgrade for $2799 (pre-order now from B&H) and brings a six-year-old lens up to the imaging level of the Alpha One. That’s the camera I shoot with and recently documenting burn scars in the Methow Valley.
What Sony shoots should expect is superb resolution and cinematic bokeh. I’ll have more to say about the 70-200 Mark II when I shoot with a demo after the lens ships. Below is a sample photo from Sony and their product page.