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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 300mm F2.8 GM OSS

Sony E Mount

World's lightest 300mm F2.8 — 1470g with XD Linear AF, OSS, and G Master resolution.

$6,999

Launch price

Released Jan 2024

FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS is 5 months newer.

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Wins

5categories

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II

LandscapeSports & Action

Wins

1categories

FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS

Sports & ActionWildlife

2 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II wins 4 categories·FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS wins 1 categories
  • BFE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • AFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has lower Min focus distance (38 cm vs 200 cm)
  • AFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has lower Weight (547 g vs 1470 g)
  • AFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has lower Length (127 mm vs 265 mm)
  • AFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has lower Diameter (65 mm vs 124 mm)

Key specs at a glance

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM IIFE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
Focal Length16-35 mm300 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountSony ESony E
CoverageAPS-CFull Frame
StabilizationNo5 stops
Weight547 g1470 g
Min Focus38 cm200 cm
Filter Size62 mm40.5 mm

Size and weight, to scale

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II

65 × 127 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 300mm F2.8 GM OSS

124 × 265 mm

1470 g (3.24 lb / 51.85 oz)

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II is 138mm shorter and 59mm narrower than FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS.

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II is 923 g lighter than FE 300mm F2.8 GM 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 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
Portrait
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
10.0Excellent
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
7.0Good
Landscape
7.0Good
4.0Fair
Travel
3.5Limited
2.0Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
8.5Excellent
Macro & Close-up
2.0Limited
1.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Min focus distance

    38 cm vs 200 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    547 g vs 1470 g — lower is better

  • Length

    127 mm vs 265 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    65 mm vs 124 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × vs 0.16 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 Super ED, 1 ED

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS supports it

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/2.8

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/2.8

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 300mm F2.8 GM OSS

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II and FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS 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 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
Focal length (Min)
16 mm
300 mm
Focal length (Max)
35 mm
300 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
16
21
Groups
12
17
Special elements
Aspherical
3 Super ED, 1 ED
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
Min focus distance
38 cm−162 cm less
200 cm
Max magnification
0.25 ×+56%
0.16 ×
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
2 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
5 stops
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
Weight
547 g−923 g less
1470 g
Length
127 mm−138 mm less
265 mm
Diameter
65 mm−59 mm less
124 mm
Filter thread size
62 mm
40.5 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
FE 300mm F2.8 GM 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 June 2026.