Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G § 03 Head to head
Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G vs Yongnuo YN 16 mm f/1.8S DA DSM
Sony 16mm f/1.8 focuses 2 cm closer. Yongnuo 16mm f/1.8 is 31 g lighter.
Both lenses are made for the Sony E mount: the Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G is a 16mm f/1.8 prime, and the Yongnuo YN 16 mm f/1.8S DA DSM is a 16mm f/1.8 prime. On paper the Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G 
Yongnuo YN 16 mm f/1.8S DA DSM 01
Key differences
Why is the Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G better than the Yongnuo YN 16 mm f/1.8S DA DSM?
- Focuses 2 cm closer (0.15 m vs 0.17 m)
- More aperture blades (11 vs 7)
- Covers a larger sensor format (full-frame vs APS-C)
- Newer design (2025 vs 2022)
Why is the Yongnuo YN 16 mm f/1.8S DA DSM better than the Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G?
- 31 g lighter (273 g vs 304 g)
- 10 mm shorter (64 mm vs 73.8 mm long)
- Smaller filter thread (58 mm vs 67 mm)
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Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Yongnuo YN 16 mm f/1.8S DA DSM has the edge: it is 31 g lighter to carry.
- architecture For architecture, the Yongnuo YN 16 mm f/1.8S DA DSM has the edge: it is 31 g lighter to carry.
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Specification
| Specification | Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G | Yongnuo YN 16 mm f/1.8S DA DSM |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 16mm | 16mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full Frame | APS-C |
| Weight | 304 g | 273 g ◆ |
| Dimensions | 75 x 73.8 mm | 69 x 64 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.15 m ◆ | 0.17 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.25x | — |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | 11 ◆ | 7 |
| Optical construction | 15 elements / 12 groups | 10 elements / 8 groups |
| Filter size | 67 mm | 58 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Sony E | Sony E, Nikon Z |
| Released | 2025 | 2022 |
| Price | $799 launch price | — |
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Size
- A · Sony
- B · Yongnuo
- 73.8 × 75 mm
- 64 × 69 mm
The Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G is 10 mm longer and 31 g heavier than the Yongnuo YN 16 mm f/1.8S DA DSM.
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Sample frames
Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G or the Yongnuo YN 16 mm f/1.8S DA DSM?
- The Yongnuo YN 16 mm f/1.8S DA DSM weighs 273 g, 31 g less than the Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G (304 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G or the Yongnuo YN 16 mm f/1.8S DA DSM?
- The Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G focuses down to 0.15 m, against 0.17 m for the Yongnuo YN 16 mm f/1.8S DA DSM.
- Do the Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G and the Yongnuo YN 16 mm f/1.8S DA DSM 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 mm f/1.8 G or the Yongnuo YN 16 mm f/1.8S DA DSM better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Yongnuo YN 16 mm f/1.8S DA DSM has the edge: it is 31 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G or the Yongnuo YN 16 mm f/1.8S DA DSM better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Yongnuo YN 16 mm f/1.8S DA DSM has the edge: it is 31 g lighter to carry.
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