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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 35mm F1.4 GM

Sony E Mount

FE 35mm F1.4 GM — 35mm f/1.4 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$1,399

Launch price

Released Mar 2021

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II is 2.4 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II

LandscapeSports & Action

Wins

4categories

FE 35mm F1.4 GM

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II wins 2 categories·FE 35mm F1.4 GM wins 3 categories
  • AFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has higher Max magnification (0.32 × vs 0.15 ×)
  • BFE 35mm F1.4 GM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.4 vs f/2.8)
  • BFE 35mm F1.4 GM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.4 vs f/2.8)
  • AFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has lower Min focus distance (22.1 cm vs 30 cm)
  • BFE 35mm F1.4 GM has lower Diameter (70 mm vs 87.8 mm)

Key specs at a glance

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM IIFE 35mm F1.4 GM
Focal Length16-35 mm35 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.4
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull-FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight547 g524 g
Min Focus22.1 cm30 cm
Filter Size82 mm67 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 35mm F1.4 GM

70 × 123 mm

524 g (1.16 lb / 18.48 oz)

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II is 12mm shorter and 18mm wider than FE 35mm F1.4 GM.

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II is 23 g heavier than FE 35mm F1.4 GM.

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 35mm F1.4 GM
Portrait
4.5Fair
6.5Good
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
4.5Fair
Landscape
7.0Good
4.0Fair
Travel
3.5Limited
3.5Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
1.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Min focus distance

    22.1 cm vs 30 cm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.32 × vs 0.15 × — higher is better

  • Length

    111.5 mm vs 123 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 35mm F1.4 GM

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.4 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.4 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Special elements

    Adds ED

  • Diameter

    70 mm vs 87.8 mm — lower is better

  • Weight

    524 g vs 547 g — 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 35mm F1.4 GM

Pros

  • Bright f/1.4 aperture for low light and subject separation
  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • 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 35mm F1.4 GM 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 35mm F1.4 GM
Focal length (Min)
16 mm
35 mm
Focal length (Max)
35 mm
35 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/1.4+2 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/1.4+2 stops wider
Elements
15
10
Groups
12
8
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical, ED
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
FE 35mm F1.4 GM
Min focus distance
22.1 cm−8 cm less
30 cm
Max magnification
0.32 ×2.1× more
0.15 ×
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
FE 35mm F1.4 GM
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
FE 35mm F1.4 GM
Weight
547 g
524 g−23 g less
Length
111.5 mm−12 mm less
123 mm
Diameter
87.8 mm
70 mm−18 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
67 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
11
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
FE 35mm F1.4 GM
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.