Sony FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G
Launch MSRP
$1,200- Weight
- 353g
- Filter
- ⌀72mm
- Min focus
- 0.24m
- Max mag.
- 0.23×
- Formula
- 13E / 12G
- Released
- 2022
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 2x AA
- 1x Aspherical
- 1x ED Aspherical
- 1x Super ED
- 1x ED
- Fluorine Coating
- Aperture range
- f/4 — f/22
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 353g
- ⌀ × length
- 80.5 × 88.1mm
- Filter
- ⌀72mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- Yes · de-click
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 9.0 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.24m
- Max magnification
- 0.23× (1:4.3)
Optical character
This is a hybrid wide zoom that happens to be very good for stills. At 353g with internal zoom and focus, it keeps the same length at every setting, so it balances on gimbals without rebalancing. Sony drives the zoom group with XD linear motors, the first α lens to do so, and a variable-speed rocker gives smooth, repeatable zooms for video.
Optically it uses two AA elements plus Super ED and ED glass, and it is sharp across most of the frame at f/4. It has a declickable aperture ring, three control rings and weather sealing. Close focus of 0.24m at 35mm gives 0.23x magnification.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers found it clearly sharper than the older ZEISS 16-35mm F4, with good corners by f/5.6 and low lateral colour. AF is silent and fast, and focus breathing is minimal, which suits vloggers and run-and-gun shooters.
The main criticisms are the 7-blade aperture, which gives less refined sunstars, and heavy reliance on in-camera distortion correction at 16mm. Some testers note that the power zoom feels less immediate than a mechanical ring for quick stills framing.
Owner sentiment
Video shooters on FX3, FX30 and A7S III bodies praise the constant length, the zoom rocker and how light it is on a gimbal. Many stills shooters bought it as a smaller, sharper replacement for the ZEISS f/4.
The common complaints are that the zoom ring is electronic, which some find laggy, and that zoom speed varies by camera support. A few owners mention the hood is easy to knock off and that it lacks optical stabilisation for older bodies.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +353g with internal zoom and focus
- +Smooth power zoom with rocker
- +Declickable aperture ring
- +Sharper than the ZEISS 16-35 F4
- +Minimal focus breathing
Weaknesses
- −Electronic zoom ring feels indirect for stills
- −7-blade aperture
- −Relies on distortion correction at 16mm
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 8.7
- Bokeh Rendering
- 7.4
- Autofocus Speed
- 9.0
- Flare Resistance
- 8.2
- Build / Sealing
- 8.5
- Value / Size
- 8.3
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/4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Construction | 13 elements in 12 groups |
| Special elements | 2x AA · 1x Aspherical · 1x ED Aspherical · 1x Super ED · 1x ED · Fluorine Coating |
| Aperture blades | 7 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | XD Linear Motor (x2) |
| Minimum focus | 0.24m |
| Max magnification | 0.23× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 353g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 80.5 × 88.1mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀72mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | Yes |
| De-clickable aperture | Yes |
| Release year | 2022 |
| Launch MSRP | $1,200 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- sony.jp/ichigan/products/SELP1635G/spec.html
- sony.jp/ichigan/products/SELP1635G/
- newsshooter.com/
- diyphotography.net/
- sonyalpharumors.com/sonz-16-35mm-pz-press-release/
- mhohner.de/sony-minolta/onelens/e1635f4g
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSFE PZ 16-35mm F4 G vs FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM
- VSFE PZ 16-35mm F4 G vs FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
- VSFE PZ 16-35mm F4 G 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 Master
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
16–35mmF2.8- WT
- 547g
- FLT
- ⌀82mm
- MFD
- 0.22m
- MSRP
- $2,300
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
