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Sony

FE 14mm F1.8 GM

Sony E Mount

FE 14mm F1.8 GM — 14mm f/1.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$1,599

Launch price

Released Apr 2021

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 2.3 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

FE 14mm F1.8 GM

LandscapeSports & Action

Wins

2categories

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II

LandscapeSports & Action

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 14mm F1.8 GM wins 3 categories·FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II wins 2 categories
  • BFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has higher Max magnification (0.25 × vs 0.15 ×)
  • AFE 14mm F1.8 GM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.8 vs f/2.8)
  • AFE 14mm F1.8 GM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.8 vs f/2.8)
  • BFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has lower Diameter (65 mm vs 86 mm)
  • AFE 14mm F1.8 GM has lower Min focus distance (30 cm vs 38 cm)

Key specs at a glance

FE 14mm F1.8 GMFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
Focal Length14 mm16-35 mm
Max Aperturef/1.8f/2.8
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameAPS-C
StabilizationNoNo
Weight460 g547 g
Min Focus30 cm38 cm
Filter Size82 mm62 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseFE 14mm F1.8 GMFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
Portrait
6.0Good
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
5.0Fair
Landscape
8.0Excellent
7.0Good
Travel
5.0Fair
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 14mm 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

  • Weight

    460 g vs 547 g — lower is better

  • Length

    114 mm vs 127 mm — lower is better

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

  • Diameter

    65 mm vs 86 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 14mm 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

  • 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 14mm F1.8 GM and FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

FE 14mm F1.8 GM
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
Focal length (Min)
14 mm
16 mm
Focal length (Max)
14 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
10
16
Groups
8
12
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical
FE 14mm 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 14mm F1.8 GM
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
FE 14mm F1.8 GM
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
Weight
460 g−87 g less
547 g
Length
114 mm−13 mm less
127 mm
Diameter
86 mm
65 mm−21 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
62 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
9
FE 14mm 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.