Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II
Announced August 29, 2023
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Exceptional
The Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II is a highly capable ultra-wide zoom that improves upon its predecessor with a lighter, more compact design and superior optical performance. It is an excellent choice for professional and enthusiast photographers who prioritize sharpness, fast autofocus, and portability in their kit.
Weighted from 30 reviewer scores
Pros
- Compact and lightweight design
- Outstanding sharpness and image quality
- Fast, silent, and accurate autofocus
- Professional handling features including aperture ring and controls
- Improved close-focusing capabilities
Cons
- High price point
- Distortion and vignetting at wide angles
- Handling and build quirks
- Extending barrel design
- Ghosting and flare issues in bright light
- Launch price $2,299.99 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 16-35mm f/2.8
- Mount & coverage Sony E Full-Frame
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 22 cm (0.32x)
- Filter thread 82mm
- Autofocus motor XD Linear motors
- Weight & size 547g · 87.8 x 111.5 mm (3.46 x 4.39 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 30 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- PetaPixel 9.5/10
The Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II makes such a strong showing that it's hard not to recommend it to almost anyone.
- OpticalLimits 8/10
[T]he FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II is a clear improvement over its predecessor - and it's (mostly) worth the high price tag.
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The Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II is an excellent lens in every way.
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With the FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II, Sony has made it a hat-trick of excellent updates to its trio of pro-spec zooms. In fact, there’s barely anything not to like about this lens.
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The widest member of the trinity of professional-grade essential RF f/2.8 zoom lenses, the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II is a requisite lens in a serious amateur or pro kit.
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The Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has the most consistent performance I’ve ever seen from a wide angle zoom lens.
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It's clearly one of the sharpest and best-performing ultra-wide-angle zoom lenses in the world. And if you want the best, you simply have to pay for it.
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Despite being in this amazing space, I really do believe that this lens is fantastic.
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Smaller, lighter, better in many ways especially sharpness, the FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II lens is Sony at the top of their game. The resolution is still well up to the most recent, higher pixel counts from camera bodies such as the 60MP A7C R used in this review.
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If you're looking for the "best" ultra-wide-angle lens for your Sony A7R V, equally new A7C R or similar high-res body, this is the lens to go for.
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The latest Sony 16-35 GM II marks the completion of Sony's second generation of holy trinity lenses, and as the final act, it certainly doesn't disappoint.
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The FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II is an upgrade over the original 16-35mm F2.8 GM in every sense—it's lighter, offers more robust on-barrel controls, and focuses faster and closer.
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Landscape and travel photographers will love the size, weight, edge-to-edge detail, and minimal aberrations of the new Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II lens.
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[...] I think these are differences most people wouldn't notice, but if you are pixel peeping, the new lens is an upgrade.
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It's just the ideal lens for your stills and video needs.
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Unless you can cop the version 1 at a really, really good price, I'd say fork up the extra dough, it's worth it.
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[T]his lens is better than the Mark I in what’s important to me as a conservation photojournalist [...]
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The 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II lens is an excellent zoom option for any Sony photo or video shooter who's missing a lens with this range, and honestly, even if you have the original 16-35mm and you put a high value on portability, minimum focusing distance [...]
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I found image quality and sharpness to be superb throughout the entire focal range of this lens.
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Super sharp, durable and with a versatile focal range, this lens easily earns its place in your kit.
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I will say also, if you're not coming from any 16-35mm, if I didn't have one and I wanted to get one, I would definitely go straight for the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II because I think this would be a great lens that's not too big.
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If you are a professional Sony shooter reliant on highest-quality zooms, if you need to go wider than your standard zoom for event work, documentary work, landscape, travel, real estate, or architecture, if you need fast, if you need small, light, quick to focus, and if you [...]
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After using this lens for a couple of weeks, a single conclusion emerges: the FE 2.8/16-35 GM II lens is a superb performer. Its reduced size and weight make it a perfect travel companion as well.
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The newer lens has been improved in virtually every respect, most notably through an updated optical formula, faster focusing, closer minimum focus distance and higher magnification.
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The new 16-35 GM II is better than the mark 1 in every aspect. But it’s not simply smaller and more portable with the usual added aperture ring and some more buttons.
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All in all, if you can justify the price, there is no better and more versatile travel lens to get than the Sony 16-35mm F2.8 GM II lens. This lens is one of the lightest F2.8 wide-angle lenses you can get right now, and if you can afford it, you are going to love this lens.
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[...] I think they did a great job upgrading this lens. It's smaller, it's lighter, it's got better autofocus, better breathing performance, better image quality, but everything about it is just better.
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Because we all know that G Master lenses are not cheap by any means, and my answer to the question of is it worth it is yes, but just barely.
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The Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II lens is super sharp, just look at the texture of the dress, it just looks freaking amazing.
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If you are looking for a fast ultra-wide f/2.8 zoom, the best one out there for Sony is this one.
