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Sony

FE 135mm F1.8 GM

Sony E Mount

FE 135mm F1.8 GM — 135mm f/1.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$1,899

Launch price

Released Feb 2019

vs

Sony

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II

Sony E Mount

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II — 16–35mm f/2.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$2,299

Launch price

Released Aug 2023

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II is 4.5 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

FE 135mm F1.8 GM

PortraitSports & Action

Wins

4categories

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II

LandscapeSports & Action

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 135mm F1.8 GM wins 2 categories·FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II wins 3 categories
  • BFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has lower Weight (547 g vs 950 g)
  • BFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has higher Max magnification (0.25 × vs 0.15 ×)
  • AFE 135mm F1.8 GM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.8 vs f/2.8)
  • AFE 135mm F1.8 GM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.8 vs f/2.8)
  • BFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has lower Length (127 mm vs 183 mm)

Key specs at a glance

FE 135mm F1.8 GMFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
Focal Length135 mm16-35 mm
Max Aperturef/1.8f/2.8
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameAPS-C
StabilizationNoNo
Weight950 g547 g
Min Focus30 cm38 cm
Filter Size77 mm62 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseFE 135mm F1.8 GMFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
Portrait
9.0Excellent
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
5.0Fair
Landscape
3.0Limited
7.0Good
Travel
2.0Limited
3.5Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
2.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the FE 135mm F1.8 GM

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.8 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.8 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II

  • Weight

    547 g vs 950 g — lower is better

  • Length

    127 mm vs 183 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    65 mm vs 81 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × vs 0.15 × — higher 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.

FE 135mm F1.8 GM

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Sony E mount compatibility

Cons

  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use
  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II

Pros

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

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the FE 135mm F1.8 GM and FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II at major authorized retailers.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

FE 135mm F1.8 GM
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
Focal length (Min)
135 mm
16 mm
Focal length (Max)
135 mm
35 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.8+1.3 stops wider
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.8+1.3 stops wider
f/2.8
Elements
14
16
Groups
11
12
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical
FE 135mm F1.8 GM
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
Min focus distance
30 cm−8 cm less
38 cm
Max magnification
0.15 ×
0.25 ×+67%
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
FE 135mm F1.8 GM
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
FE 135mm F1.8 GM
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
Weight
950 g
547 g−403 g less
Length
183 mm
127 mm−56 mm less
Diameter
81 mm
65 mm−16 mm less
Filter thread size
77 mm
62 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
9
FE 135mm F1.8 GM
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
Lens mount
Sony E
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
APS-C

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