Sony 16-25mm f/2.8 G Lens Promises Uncompromising Performance
Sony has announced the FE 16-25mm f/2.8 G, a compact and affordable ultra-wide lens that is the spiritual sibling to the FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G lens Sony announced in February.
Slated to ship alongside the 24-50mm f/2.8 G when it launches next month, the 16-25mm f/2.8 promises a blend of high-end image quality and lightweight design. Historically, photographers and videographers looking for a small, light lens would have to compromise in terms of maximum aperture, opting for an f/4 or slower lens. However, Sony says that even though consumers don’t want large, heavy lenses, they also want an f/2.8 max aperture. Thanks to advances in optical design technology, it is now possible to have both a fast aperture and a compact form factor.
Sony is not the first to release a lens of this kind for E-mount — Sigma and Tamron beat the camera maker to the punch. So, how does Sony’s new lens compare?
In terms of weight, at just 408 grams (14.3 ounces), the new 16-25mm f/2.8 is 42 grams (1.5 ounces) lighter than the Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary and 12 grams (0.4 ounces) lighter than the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD. Regarding length, the Sony 16-25mm f/2.8 G is 92.3 millimeters (3.6 inches) long — 10.3 millimeters shorter than Sigma’s offering and 6.8 millimeters shorter than Tamron’s.
Sony also argues that superior image quality is one of the most significant ways its new zoom distinguishes itself from Sigma’s and Tamron’s lenses.
The FE 16-25mm f/2.8 incorporates three extra-low dispersion (ED) lens elements and four aspherical lenses, which Sony promises minimizes optical aberrations, including chromatic aberration. The lens includes an 11-bladed circular aperture diaphragm, ensuring smooth bokeh in line with other G lenses.
Another proposed advantage is autofocus performance. The 16-25mm f/2.8 includes a pair of linear motors that support swift and accurate autofocus performance, even on super-fast cameras like the a9 III and its 120 frames per second continuous shooting. Sony also says that the lens, designed for photo and video applications, delivers strong focusing during 4K/120p recording, and supports focus breathing compensation.
The lens can focus quite closely as well, offering a minimum shooting distance of 0.18 meters. This results in a 0.20x max magnification when using autofocus.
One could be forgiven for thinking the 16-25mm f/2.8 looks an awful lot like the 24-50mm f/2.8, and that’s no accident. The lenses are nearly identical, each offering an aperture ring, focus ring, and custom button. The lenses differ by about a millimeter in length and promise similar centers of gravity, ensuring that rigs don’t need to be reset when swapping lenses.
Sony the 16-25mm f/2.8 as the natural companion to the 24-50mm f/2.8, positioning them as two sides of the same coin. For photo and video users who need and can afford both new zooms, they form a very compact kit that promises pro-level performance.
“The FE 16-25mm f/2.8 G was designed to offer creators a wide-angle lens option that perfectly balances large-aperture, compact form factor, and high-image quality. This is the 73rd addition to our E-mount lens line-up, and just another step in our commitment to providing photographers and videographers with the perfect lens solutions for their specific needs,” says Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “The FE 16-25mm F2.8 G is a fantastic lens with high-resolution performance, beautiful bokeh, and high precision autofocus. It is a perfect companion to the Alpha 7C R and Alpha 7C II compact full-frame camera bodies, and together they offer an unbeatable lightweight set-up.”
Pricing and Availability
The Sony FE 16-25mm f/2.8 G will be available on May 10th for $1,199, the same day the $1,099 24-50mm f/2.8 G lens hits store shelves.
Image credits: Sony
