The Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II is Sony’s latest G Master wide-angle zoom lens for the Sony E mount, engineered for full-frame mirrorless shooters who demand uncompromising sharpness, blazing-fast autofocus, and a professional-grade f/2.8 constant aperture in the lightest, most compact body in its class — approximately 20% lighter and 10% smaller than its predecessor.
Redesigned from the ground up with four XD Linear AF motors, a floating focus mechanism, Super ED and XA aspherical elements, and a minimum focus distance of just 8.6″, the GM II delivers exceptional bokeh quality, suppressed aberrations, and near-zero focus breathing — making it equally at home shooting dramatic landscapes, architecture, and fast-paced video productions.
Key features
- Constant f/2.8 Aperture: Shoot in low light and achieve beautiful background separation across the entire 16-35mm zoom range without exposure shifts.
- Four XD Linear AF Motors: Ultra-fast, near-silent autofocus with full AF tracking even when stopped down or changing zoom position — ideal for stills at up to 30 fps and smooth video.
- Superior Optical Design: One Super ED, two ED elements, and three extreme aspherical (XA) elements work together to eliminate chromatic aberration, distortion, and ‘onion ring’ bokeh for G Master-level image quality.
- Impressive Close-Up Performance: Floating focus mechanism delivers a 0.32x maximum magnification and 8.6″ minimum focus distance across the full zoom range — exceptional for a wide-angle zoom.
- Video-Optimised Handling: De-clickable manual aperture ring, zoom smoothness switch, minimised focus breathing, and Breathing Compensation support make this lens a true cine-capable tool.
- Compact, Durable, Weather-Sealed Build: Dust- and moisture-resistant construction with fluorine coating and a hybrid metal/plastic body ensures reliable professional use in challenging conditions.
Specifications
| Lens Type | Fast Wide-Angle Zoom |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 16-35mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 (Constant) |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Lens Mount | Sony E (Full-Frame) |
| Autofocus System | 4x XD Linear Motors with Floating Focus Mechanism |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 8.6" (21.8 cm) |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.32x across entire zoom range |
| Optical Elements | 1 Super ED, 2 ED, 5 Aspherical (incl. 3 XA) |
| Weather Sealing | Dust and Moisture-Resistant with Fluorine Coating |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II suitable for video shooting?
Yes. The lens is specifically engineered for video with four XD Linear motors for near-silent AF, a de-clickable aperture ring for smooth iris pulls, a zoom smoothness switch, minimised focus breathing and axial shift, and support for Sony's Breathing Compensation function on select Alpha and cine-line cameras.
How does the GM II compare to the original FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM?
The GM II is approximately 20% lighter and 10% smaller than its predecessor while delivering faster, quieter, and more precise autofocus via four XD Linear motors (replacing the DDSSM system), improved close-up performance with a 0.32x maximum magnification, a new manual aperture ring with de-click and lock functions, and a zoom smoothness switch.
What is the closest focusing distance and maximum magnification of this lens?
The Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II has a minimum focusing distance of 8.6 inches (approximately 21.8 cm) and achieves a maximum magnification of 0.32x across the entire zoom range, made possible by its floating focus mechanism.
