Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
Launch MSRP
$2,300- Weight
- 547g
- Filter
- ⌀82mm
- Min focus
- 0.22m
- Max mag.
- 0.32×
- Formula
- 15E / 12G
- Released
- 2023
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 3x XA
- 1x Aspherical
- 1x ED Aspherical
- 1x Super ED
- 2x ED
- Nano AR Coating II
- Fluorine Coating
- Aperture range
- f/2.8 — f/22
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 547g
- ⌀ × length
- 87.8 × 111.5mm
- Filter
- ⌀82mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- Yes · de-click
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 9.5 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.22m
- Max magnification
- 0.32× (1:3.1)
Optical character
The second-generation 16-35 GM is about 20% lighter (547g) than the original and sharper at every setting. Its five aspherical elements, three of them XA, keep corners strong at 16mm f/2.8. That makes it a real one-lens option for landscape, events and astro.
Sony added an aperture ring with click and iris-lock switches, two focus-hold buttons and four XD linear motors that track at the frame rates of the A9 III and A1 II. It focuses to 0.22m across the range for 0.32x magnification, and unlike the 12-24mm zooms it takes standard 82mm filters.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers rate it as the best f/2.8 wide zoom on E-mount, sharp into the corners from f/2.8 at 16mm and 35mm, with low chromatic aberration and good coma control for night skies. AF is fast and essentially silent, and focus breathing is low enough for video work.
The complaints are mainly about price and some vignetting wide open. A few reviewers note that the Sigma and Tamron alternatives come close in sharpness for much less money, though they are heavier or less refined in handling.
Owner sentiment
Landscape and wedding photographers praise the weight drop compared with the GM I and the aperture ring for hybrid work. Many owners say it replaced both a wide prime and the earlier zoom.
The common complaints are price, 82mm filters still being expensive, and sunstars that some find less defined than the GM I's. A few owners mention mild flare with the sun at certain angles.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +Sharp corners at 16mm f/2.8
- +547g, about 20% lighter than the GM I
- +Aperture ring with click and iris-lock switches
- +Quad XD linear-motor AF
- +0.32x close focus across the range
Weaknesses
- −Expensive
- −82mm filters
- −Vignetting wide open
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 9.3
- Bokeh Rendering
- 8.2
- Autofocus Speed
- 9.5
- Flare Resistance
- 8.7
- Build / Sealing
- 9.3
- Value / Size
- 7.3
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Sony E (FE) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 16–35mm |
| Category | Ultra-Wide |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Construction | 15 elements in 12 groups |
| Special elements | 3x XA · 1x Aspherical · 1x ED Aspherical · 1x Super ED · 2x ED · Nano AR Coating II · Fluorine Coating |
| Aperture blades | 11 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | XD Linear Motor (x4) |
| Minimum focus | 0.22m |
| Max magnification | 0.32× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 547g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 87.8 × 111.5mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀82mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | Yes |
| De-clickable aperture | Yes |
| Release year | 2023 |
| Launch MSRP | $2,300 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- sony.jp/ichigan/products/SEL1635GM2/spec.html
- bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1784822-REG/sony_fe_16_35mm_f_2_8_gm.html
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_FE_16-35mm_F2.8_GM_II
- photographylife.com/news/sony-16-35mm-f-2-8-gm-ii-announced
- amateurphotographer.com/latest/photo-news/new-sony-fe-16-35mm-f2-8-gm-ii/
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II vs FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM
- VSFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II vs FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G
- VSFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II vs Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS
- SonyG Master
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM
16–35mmF2.8- WT
- 680g
- FLT
- ⌀82mm
- MFD
- 0.28m
- MSRP
- $2,200
AFWR - SonyG
FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G
16–35mmF4- WT
- 353g
- FLT
- ⌀72mm
- MFD
- 0.24m
- MSRP
- $1,200
AFWRRING·DC - SonyZEISS
Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS
16–35mmF4- WT
- 518g
- FLT
- ⌀72mm
- MFD
- 0.28m
- MSRP
- $1,350
AFSTABWR
