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FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II

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

vs

Sony

FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G OSS

Sony E Mount

FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G OSS — 16–35mm f/4 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$1,399

Launch price

Released May 2022

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II is 1.3 years newer.

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Wins

4categories

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II

LandscapeSports & Action

Wins

4categories

FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G OSS

Video & HybridLandscape

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II wins 3 categories·FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G OSS wins 2 categories
  • BFE PZ 16-35mm F4 G OSS has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • AFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has lower Min focus distance (22.1 cm vs 38 cm)
  • BFE PZ 16-35mm F4 G OSS has lower Weight (353 g vs 547 g)
  • AFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/4)
  • AFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/4)

Key specs at a glance

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM IIFE PZ 16-35mm F4 G OSS
Focal Length16-35 mm16-35 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/4
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull-FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNo5 stops
Weight547 g353 g
Min Focus22.1 cm38 cm
Filter Size82 mm82 mm

Size and weight, to scale

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II shown to scale

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II

88 × 112 mm

547 g (1.21 lb / 19.29 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G OSS

86 × 99 mm

353 g (0.78 lb / 12.45 oz)

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II is 13mm longer and 2mm wider than FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G OSS.

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II is 194 g heavier than FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G OSS.

Diameter (⌀) is the maximum barrel width; length is measured from the mount to the front of the lens.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM IIFE PZ 16-35mm F4 G OSS
Portrait
4.5Fair
2.5Limited
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
9.0Excellent
Landscape
7.0Good
8.0Excellent
Travel
3.5Limited
5.0Fair
Wildlife
3.0Limited
5.5Fair
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Min focus distance

    22.1 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.32 × vs 0.25 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G OSS

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G OSS supports it

  • Weight

    353 g vs 547 g — lower is better

  • Length

    99 mm vs 111.5 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    86 mm vs 87.8 mm — 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.

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

FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G OSS

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day

Cons

  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance
  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II and FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G OSS at major authorized retailers.

Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II

Sony FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G OSS

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 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G OSS
Focal length (Min)
16 mm
16 mm
Focal length (Max)
35 mm
35 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8+1 stop wider
f/4
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8+1 stop wider
f/4
Elements
15
16
Groups
12
12
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G OSS
Min focus distance
22.1 cm−16 cm less
38 cm
Max magnification
0.32 ×+28%
0.25 ×
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G OSS
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
5 stops
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G OSS
Weight
547 g
353 g−194 g less
Length
111.5 mm
99 mm−13 mm less
Diameter
87.8 mm
86 mm−2 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
9
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G OSS
Lens mount
Sony E
Sony E
Format coverage
Full-Frame
Full Frame

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