Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II Lens Review
It’s almost exactly 5 years since we looked at the original version of this lens, and were very impressed as well, awarding it the accolade of Highly Recommended. Now Sony revisit an already fine design, in the form of the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II, billed as being the smallest and lightest full frame wide angle zoom lens currently available. But is it as good or even better than the original? Let’s find out, using mainly the 60MP Sony A7C R but also the 33MP Sony A7C II, both these being on test at the same time. Interesting times!
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II – Handling and Features
There is no doubting the usefullness of the focal length range, from a sweeping 16mm ultra-wide to a “wide standard” 35mm. Coupled with the utility of a constant f/2.8 open aperture and the security of dust and moisture resistance, the lens weighs in at a very reasonable 547g, down from the 680g of the Mk I version. Dimensions are 111.5mm long and 87.8mm diameter, balancing very well with both the A7C R and A7C II bodies. The front element has a fluorine coating to protect against grease, dust and moisture. There is provision for a bayonet fit lenshood, but sadly this was missing from the review sample. Within the bayonet fit for the hood is a standard 82mm filter thread.
The electronic focusing ring is utterly smooth and quite light in operation. In this instance perhaps a little too light, which may result in it being nudged too easily. This would be relevant if the function were to be set to DMF (Direct Manual Focus), where MF can be used whilst AF is active. The alternative settings for the ring are controlled by the camera body. Next up is the AF/MF switch. There are also two focus hold buttons, which can be programmed via the camera menus. Focusing is down to 0.22m (0.73′), for a maximum magnification of 0.32x. AF is driven via 4 XD Linear motors, enabling fast, accurate and virtually silent AF. Users of the Sony A1 body will find that up to 30fps is possible.
The zoom ring is quite light in action, but fortunately not particularly susceptible to being nudged accidentally. Zooming extends the lens around 10mm. The zoom ring is clearly marked at 16mm, 20mm, 24mm, 28mm and 35mm and all these setting seem accurate.
The aperture ring is calibrated in one third of a stop intervals and also has an “A” setting. There is an iris lock that can either secure the ring at “A” or keep it out of that setting so the ring can be used without the danger of it being slipped into “A”, particularly useful if the ring is being operated by touch when the camera is to the eye. A second small catch switches the aperture ring click stops on or off, with videographers firmly in mind.
Optical construction is 15 elements in 12 groups, a reduction from the 16/13 construction of the original lens. However, the lens glasses used are more exotic and clearly this is where any increase in quality comes from. There are 3 XA (Extreme Aspherical), 1 Aspherical, 1 ED Aspherical, 1 Super ED and 2 ED elements. Flare is reduced via the Nano AR II coatings and bokeh enhanced by the use of 11 blades in the rounded diaphragm.
General handling is, as before, impeccable, and it would be hard not to like the ease of use and the versatile focal length range. Now let’s look at the technical results and see if the lens is a significant improvement over the original.
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II – Performance
At 16mm, central sharpness is excellent at f/2.8 and f/4, outstanding at f/5.6 and f/8, excellent at f/11, very good at f/16 and good at f/22. The edges are excellent from f/2.8 to f/8, very good at f/11, fair at f/16 and soft at f/22.
At 20mm, central sharpness is excellent at f/2.8 and f/4, outstanding at f/5.6 and f/8, excellent at f/11, very good at f/16 and good at f/22. The edges are very good at f/2.8 and f/4, excellent at f/5.6 and f/8, very good at f/11, good at f/16 and fair at f/22.
At 24mm, central sharpness is excellent at f/2.8 and f/4, outstanding at f/5.6 and f/8, excellent at f/11, very good at f/16 and good at f/22. The edges are excellent from f/2.8 to f/8, very good at f/11, good at f/16 and fair at f/22.
At 35mm, central sharpness is outstanding from f/2.8 to f/8, excellent at f/11, very good at f/16 and good at f/22. The edges are excellent from f/2.8 to f/5.6, very good at f/8 and f/11, good at f/16 and fair at f/22.
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II MTF Charts
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How to read our MTF charts
The blue column represents readings from the centre of the picture frame at the various apertures and the green is from the edges.
For this review, the lens was tested on a X-S10 using Imatest. Want to know more about how we review lenses?.
CA (Chromatic Aberration) correction is excellent, with the centre showing very low figures that reduce further as we zoom in. The edges show a little more CA, but still generally holding to less than one third of a pixel. This is unlikely to be seen in most images, but if further reduction is required then there are software solutions.
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II Chromatic Aberration Charts
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How to read our CA charts
Chromatic aberration (CA) is the lens’ inability to focus on the sensor or film all colours of visible light at the same point. Severe chromatic aberration gives a noticeable fringing or a halo effect around sharp edges within the picture. It can be cured in software.
Apochromatic lenses have special lens elements (aspheric, extra-low dispersion etc) to minimize the problem, hence they usually cost more.
For this review, the lens was tested on a X-S10 using Imatest.
Distortion is obvious at 16mm, where it measures -3.22% barrel. By 20mm this has reduced to -1.73% barrel, further reducing to -0.43% at 24mm. By 35mm we have +1.87% pincushion distortion. There are now some zoom lenses with much lower distortion than this, but it will also depend on how much input the camera itself has on the end result. If distortion needs reducing, then, as with CA, there are software solutions.
Flare resistance is excellent, despite the lenshood being missing with the review sample. The hood will still be desirable as it also affords some protection to the front element, but in terms of flare then things are pretty much sorted anyway.
The bokeh of the Mk I version of the lens was beautiful, and increasing the resolution seems not to have diminished that quality. Bokeh is of course in the eye of the beholder, but this reviewer slightly prefers the result with the lower resolution A7C II, which may be slightly smoother in gradation. Either way, the rssults are extremely effective.
Vignetting is at a consistent and reasonablly low level, the results being:
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| Aperture | 16mm | 20mm | 24mm | 35mm |
| f/2.8 | -1.3 stops | -1.2 | -1.1 | -0.7 |
| f/4 | -1.2 | -1.2 | -1.1 | -0.7 |
| f/5.6 | -1.2 | -1.2 | -1 | -0.7 |
| f/8 | -1.2 | -1.2 | -1 | -0.7 |
| f/11 | -1.2 | -1.2 | -1 | -0.7 |
| f/16 | -1.2 | -1.2 | -1 | -0.7 |
| f/22 | -1.2 | -1.1 | -1 | -0.7 |
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II Sample Photos
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Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II Aperture range
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You can view additional images of the SIGMA AF 100-400mm on our equipment database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.
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Value For Money
The [AMUK]Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II|sony+fe+16-35mm[/AMUK] lens is priced at £2399. It might be possible to still source the Mk I version at around £1999.
Alternatively, there are two f/4 options:
- [AMUK]Sony FE 16-35mm f/4 G PZ|sony+fe+16-35mm[/AMUK], £1299
- [AMUK]Sony 16-35mm f/4 ZA|sony+16-35mm+za[/AMUK], £1049
Clearly there are less expensive options, but if we want the very best and/or that f/2.8 aperture the new lens remains good value, albeit it at the top of the price range.
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II – Verdict
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. Handling is superb, focusing fast and virtually silently and really the only downside to all of this is the price. However, after probably many years of use the price itself will soon be forgotten and what will remain will hopefully be some very fine images and a lens that still delivers the goods.
The Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II lens is therefore Highly Recommended.
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II – Pros
- Excellent to outstanding sharpness
- Well controlled CA
- Well controlled distortion
- Fast and accurate AF
- Weather sealing
- Modest distortion
- Excellent flare resistance
- High construction quality
- Beautiful bokeh
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II – Cons
- Price
[REVIEW_FOOTER]R_features=4|R_handling=5|R_performance=5|R_value=4|R_overall=4.5|A_level=4.5|A_text=Highly recommended – A versatile, user-friendly lens with superb performance.|E_id=8017[/REVIEW_FOOTER]
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II Specifications
| Manufacturer | Sony | |
| General | ||
| Lens Mounts |
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| Lens | ||
| Focal Length | 16mm – 35mm | |
| Angle of View | 63° – 107° | |
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | |
| Min Aperture | f/22 | |
| Filter Size | 82mm | |
| Stabilised | No Data | |
| 35mm equivalent | 16mm – 35mm | |
| Internal focusing | No Data | |
| Maximum magnification | No Data | |
| Focusing | ||
| Min Focus | No Data | |
| Construction | ||
| Blades | 11 | |
| Elements | 15 | |
| Groups | 12 | |
| Box Contents | ||
| Box Contents | No Data | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Weight | 547g | |
| Height | 111.5mm | |
Source: Photography News
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II Lens Review
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