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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 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS

Sony E Mount

FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS — 200–600mm f/5.6-6.3 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$1,999

Launch price

Released Jun 2019

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II is 4.3 years newer.

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Wins

6categories

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II

LandscapeSports & Action

Wins

2categories

FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS

WildlifeVideo & Hybrid

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II wins 4 categories·FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS wins 1 categories
  • BFE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • AFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has lower Weight (547 g vs 2115 g)
  • AFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has lower Length (111.5 mm vs 280 mm)
  • AFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/6.3)
  • AFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/5.6)

Key specs at a glance

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM IIFE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
Focal Length16-35 mm200-600 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/5.6-6.3
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull-FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNo5 stops
Weight547 g2115 g
Min Focus22.1 cm38 cm
Filter Size82 mm77 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 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS

81 × 280 mm

2115 g (4.66 lb / 74.60 oz)

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II is 169mm shorter and 7mm wider than FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS.

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II is 1568 g lighter than FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 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 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
Portrait
4.5Fair
2.5Limited
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
7.0Good
Landscape
7.0Good
3.0Limited
Travel
3.5Limited
4.0Fair
Wildlife
3.0Limited
10.0Excellent
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Weight

    547 g vs 2115 g — lower is better

  • Length

    111.5 mm vs 280 mm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/6.3 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/5.6 — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    22.1 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.32 × vs 0.25 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS supports it

  • Diameter

    81 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 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use
  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II and FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS at major authorized retailers.

Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II

Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS

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Full specifications

= category winner

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
Focal length (Min)
16 mm
200 mm
Focal length (Max)
35 mm
600 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8+2 stops wider
f/5.6
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8+2.3 stops wider
f/6.3
Elements
15
23
Groups
12
17
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 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 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
5 stops
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
Weight
547 g−1,568 g less
2115 g
Length
111.5 mm−169 mm less
280 mm
Diameter
87.8 mm
81 mm−7 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
9
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 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.