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Sony

E 16-55mm F2.8 G

Sony E Mount

E 16-55mm F2.8 G — 16–55mm f/2.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$1,399

Launch price

Released Oct 2019

vs

Sony

FE 85mm F1.4 GM II

Sony E Mount

FE 85mm F1.4 GM II — 85mm f/1.4 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$1,999

Launch price

Released Sep 2024

FE 85mm F1.4 GM II is 4.9 years newer.

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Wins

4categories

E 16-55mm F2.8 G

LandscapeTravel

Wins

3categories

FE 85mm F1.4 GM II

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

E 16-55mm F2.8 G wins 2 categories·FE 85mm F1.4 GM II wins 3 categories
  • BFE 85mm F1.4 GM II has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.4 vs f/2.8)
  • BFE 85mm F1.4 GM II has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.4 vs f/2.8)
  • AE 16-55mm F2.8 G has higher Max magnification (0.25 × vs 0.15 ×)
  • AE 16-55mm F2.8 G has lower Weight (494 g vs 642 g)
  • BFE 85mm F1.4 GM II has lower Min focus distance (30 cm vs 38 cm)

Key specs at a glance

E 16-55mm F2.8 GFE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Focal Length16-55 mm85 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.4
MountSony ESony E
CoverageAPS-CFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight494 g642 g
Min Focus38 cm30 cm
Filter Size62 mm77 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseE 16-55mm F2.8 GFE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Portrait
4.5Fair
9.5Excellent
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
4.5Fair
Landscape
8.0Excellent
4.0Fair
Travel
7.0Good
3.5Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
2.0Limited
1.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the E 16-55mm F2.8 G

  • Weight

    494 g vs 642 g — lower is better

  • Diameter

    65 mm vs 81 mm — lower is better

  • Length

    119 mm vs 140 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × vs 0.15 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the FE 85mm F1.4 GM II

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.4 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.4 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Special elements

    Adds ED

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Custom function button

Both support custom function button

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

E 16-55mm F2.8 G

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 85mm F1.4 GM II

Pros

  • Bright f/1.4 aperture for low light and subject separation
  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the E 16-55mm F2.8 G and FE 85mm F1.4 GM II at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

E 16-55mm F2.8 G
FE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Focal length (Min)
16 mm
85 mm
Focal length (Max)
55 mm
85 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/1.4+2 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/1.4+2 stops wider
Elements
16
14
Groups
12
11
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical, ED
E 16-55mm F2.8 G
FE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Min focus distance
38 cm
30 cm−8 cm less
Max magnification
0.25 ×+67%
0.15 ×
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
E 16-55mm F2.8 G
FE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
E 16-55mm F2.8 G
FE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Weight
494 g−148 g less
642 g
Length
119 mm−21 mm less
140 mm
Diameter
65 mm−16 mm less
81 mm
Filter thread size
62 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
E 16-55mm F2.8 G
FE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Lens mount
Sony E
Sony E
Format coverage
APS-C
Full Frame

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