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Sigma

16-28mm F2.8 DG DN

Sony E Mount

16-28mm F2.8 DG DN — 16–28mm f/2.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sigma lineup.

$999

Launch price

Released Jun 2022

vs

Sony

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

Sony E Mount

Exquisite resolution and dreamy bokeh combine in a masterful f/1.2 prime.

$1,999

Launch price

Released Mar 2021

16-28mm F2.8 DG DN is 1.3 years newer.

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Wins

4categories

16-28mm F2.8 DG DN

LandscapeSports & Action

Wins

3categories

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

16-28mm F2.8 DG DN wins 3 categories·FE 50mm F1.2 GM wins 2 categories
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • A16-28mm F2.8 DG DN has lower Weight (450 g vs 778 g)
  • A16-28mm F2.8 DG DN has higher Max magnification (0.25 × vs 0.17 ×)
  • A16-28mm F2.8 DG DN has lower Min focus distance (38 cm vs 40 cm)

Key specs at a glance

16-28mm F2.8 DG DNFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal Length16-28 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.2
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight450 g778 g
Min Focus38 cm40 cm
Filter Size82 mm72 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use case16-28mm F2.8 DG DNFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Portrait
4.5Fair
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
4.5Fair
Landscape
8.0Excellent
3.0Limited
Travel
5.0Fair
2.0Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
2.0Limited
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Weight

    450 g vs 778 g — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × vs 0.17 × — higher is better

  • Min focus distance

    38 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    86 mm vs 87 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 50mm F1.2 GM

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 XA (extreme aspherical)

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 50mm F1.2 GM supports it

  • Length

    108 mm vs 113 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

16-28mm F2.8 DG DN

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Sony E mount compatibility

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

Pros

  • Outstanding sharpness wide open at f/1.2
  • Stunningly smooth, circular bokeh with 11 aperture blades
  • Extremely quiet and fast autofocus tracking
  • Manageable size and weight for an f/1.2 lens

Cons

  • Expensive investment for a single focal length
  • Heavy compared to standard f/1.8 options
  • Some visible vignetting wide open

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN and FE 50mm F1.2 GM at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

16-28mm F2.8 DG DN
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal length (Min)
16 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
28 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
Elements
16
14
Groups
12
10
Special elements
Aspherical
3 XA (extreme aspherical)
16-28mm F2.8 DG DN
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Min focus distance
38 cm−2 cm less
40 cm
Max magnification
0.25 ×+47%
0.17 ×
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
16-28mm F2.8 DG DN
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
16-28mm F2.8 DG DN
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Weight
450 g−328 g less
778 g
Length
113 mm
108 mm−5 mm less
Diameter
86 mm−1 mm less
87 mm
Filter thread size
82 mm
72 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
16-28mm F2.8 DG DN
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Lens mount
Sony E
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.