I finally jumped to an A7IV after years with Fuji but now Im totally stuck on glass. I have a big hiking trip to Switzerland next month and I really only want to bring one lens so I dont have to keep swapping things out in the wind. I keep seeing people rave about the 24-70 GM II but its crazy expensive and then there is the Tamron 28-75 G2 which fits my budget better but I worry 28mm isnt quite wide enough for landscapes. Some say the Sigma 24-70 is the middle ground but I heard its a total brick for long trails. Is there a sweet spot for a general zoom I am missing?
Honestly, Switzerland is gonna be epic but hiking with a heavy kit is a total vibe killer. If you are worried about 28mm being too tight—which I totally get for huge mountains—you might want to look at the Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G. It is way wider than the Tamron and lighter than the Sigma art lenses. Since you are after reliability and safety on the trail, here are a few things to consider from my experience:
- The Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G is probably the actual sweet spot for hiking. 20mm is a huge difference over 24mm for landscapes. It is relatively light and doesnt feel like a brick in your pack.
- If you want more reach for distant peaks, the Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS is a classic for a reason. It is super dependable and the built-in stabilization helps if you are shooting handheld while tired from climbing. It is a very safe choice for a one-lens trip.
- The Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 is great for the budget, but 28mm can definitely feel claustrophobic when you are standing in front of a massive mountain. Personally, I would grab that 20-70mm. You lose the F2.8 aperture, but for landscapes you are usually stopped down to F8 anyway. It feels more robust for travel than some of the third-party stuff imo... plus it saves your back.
