02/04/2026 5:25 pm
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honestly i am so frustrated with my current 24-105mm it just looks so soft on the a7R V sensor like whats even the point of having 61 megapixels if everything looks like mush when I zoom in?? I bought this body for a big hiking trip to Zion next month and now im panicking because none of my shots look professional. So I was thinking maybe a prime like the 20mm G but then I might miss the flexibility... my logic was that a zoom is better for hiking but the quality is just killing me. I have about 1600 bucks left in the budget and I need something that actually resolves that crazy resolution before I leave in three weeks. Is the 16-35mm GM II the only real answer here or am I overlooking something cheaper that wont make me regret my life choices?
3 Answers
12
02/04/2026 5:26 pm
Ugh, I feel your frustration. That sensor is a total beast and unfortunately a lot of glass just cant keep up. I had some real issues with the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS on high-res bodies... it just wasnt as good as expected and honestly, looking at mushy files after a long hike is the absolute worst. If you want to play it safe, the Sony FE 16-35mm f/4 PZ G is surprisingly sharp and fits your budget, tho that power zoom feels a bit flimsy for rugged hiking. Personally, I would go with the Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G. Its incredibly reliable and resolves that 61MP sensor way better than almost anything else. I also looked at the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art but that exposed front element is a disaster waiting to happen in the Zion dust. Stick to the 20mm prime for the sharpest, safest results.
11
02/04/2026 6:10 pm
Regarding what #2 said about 'Just saw this and wanted to chime in...', be careful with zooms. Get the Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G and just crop that 61MP sensor, dont overspend.
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02/04/2026 6:00 pm
Just saw this and wanted to chime in because I went through the same thing with my high-res setup. I was obsessed with getting the GM II but my wallet wasnt ready for that hit. Honestly, you dont always need to spend $2500 to get those crisp edges. I found that some slightly cheaper options actually resolve that 61MP sensor just fine without the mush.
- Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art for Sony E is incredibly sharp and usually goes for around $1300. It is a bit heavy but the optics are pro-grade.
- Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G is a killer choice if you want to stay light for hiking and it is technically sharper than most zooms. I use that 20mm for almost all my landscape stuff now. It is way easier to pack than a big zoom and the detail is insane. Definitely worth considering if you want to save some cash for the actual trip.
