§ 03 Head to head

Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM vs Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II

Sony 16–35mm f/2.8 is 133 g lighter.

The Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM is a 16–35mm f/2.8 zoom, and the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II is a 16–35mm f/2.8 zoom. On paper the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 0, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

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01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM better than the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II?

No measurable advantage on paper.

Why is the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II better than the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM?

  • 133 g lighter (547 g vs 680 g)
  • 10 mm shorter (111.5 mm vs 121.6 mm long)
  • Focuses 6 cm closer (0.22 m vs 0.28 m)
  • Higher maximum magnification (0.32x vs 0.19x)
  • Has a physical aperture ring
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • landscape For landscape photography, the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has the edge: it is 133 g lighter to carry.
  • architecture For architecture, the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has the edge: it is 133 g lighter to carry.
03

Specification

17 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationSony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GMSony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
Focal length16–35mm 16–35mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8 f/2.8
Minimum aperturef/22 f/22
Lens typeUltra-wide-angle zoom lens Ultra-wide-angle zoom lens
FormatFull Frame Full Frame
Weight680 g (24 oz) 547 g (1.21 lb) ◆
Dimensions88.5 mm (diameter) x 121.6 mm (length) 88 mm (diameter) x 111.5 mm (length)
Minimum focusing distance0.28 m (11.02 in) 0.22 m (8.66 inches) ◆
Maximum magnification0.19x 0.32x ◆
Image stabilizationNo No
Weather sealingYes Yes
Aperture ringNo Yes
Aperture blades11 (rounded) 11 (rounded)
Optical construction16 elements in 13 groups, including two XA (extreme aspherical) and three ED (extra-low dispersion) elements 15 elements in 12 groups, including three XA (extreme aspherical), one aspherical, one ED aspherical, two ED, and one Super ED elements
Filter size82 mm 82 mm
Lens mountSony E Sony E
Released2017 —
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · Sony
  • B · Sony
  • 121.6 × 88.5 mm
  • 111.5 × 88 mm

The Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM is 10 mm longer and 133 g heavier than the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II.

05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM

At the old cabin
At the old cabin by nbaronzzi
Motukiekie Milky Way
Motukiekie Milky Way by DanD_NZ
Poppies - Papaver rhoeas.
Poppies - Papaver rhoeas. by PANDOOZY PHOTOS
Sunset at the pier
Sunset at the pier by DanD_NZ

Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II

Lagarfljót
Lagarfljót by yosua_hh
Fjaðrárgljúfur
Fjaðrárgljúfur by yosua_hh
Reynisfjara
Reynisfjara by yosua_hh
Búlandstindur
Búlandstindur by yosua_hh
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM review 1
Video thumbnail for Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM review 2
Video thumbnail for Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II review 1
Video thumbnail for Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II review 2
07

Questions

Which is lighter, the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM or the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II?
The Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II weighs 547 g, 133 g less than the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM (680 g).
Which focuses closer, the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM or the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II?
The Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II focuses down to 0.22 m, against 0.28 m for the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM.
Do the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM and the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II have image stabilization?
No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
Is the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM or the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II better for landscape photography?
For landscape photography, the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has the edge: it is 133 g lighter to carry.
Is the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM or the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II better for architecture?
For architecture, the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has the edge: it is 133 g lighter to carry.
08

Other comparisons