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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

3categories

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II

LandscapeSports & Action

Wins

3categories

FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G OSS

Video & HybridLandscape

2 categories tied

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)
  • 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)
  • AFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has lower Diameter (65 mm vs 86 mm)

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
CoverageAPS-CFull Frame
StabilizationNo5 stops
Weight547 g353 g
Min Focus38 cm38 cm
Filter Size62 mm82 mm

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
2.0Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Diameter

    65 mm vs 86 mm — lower 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 127 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Min focus distance

Both 38 cm

Max magnification

Both 0.25 ×

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

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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
16
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
38 cm
38 cm
Max magnification
0.25 ×
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
127 mm
99 mm−28 mm less
Diameter
65 mm−21 mm less
86 mm
Filter thread size
62 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G OSS
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.