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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 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

Sony E Mount

FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS — 90mm f/2.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$1,099

Launch price

Released Jun 2015

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II is 8.2 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II

LandscapeSports & Action

Wins

3categories

FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

Macro & Close-upSports & Action

2 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II wins 3 categories·FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS wins 2 categories
  • BFE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BFE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS has higher Max magnification (1 × vs 0.32 ×)
  • AFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has lower Min focus distance (22.1 cm vs 28 cm)
  • AFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has lower Length (111.5 mm vs 134 mm)
  • AFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II has lower Weight (547 g vs 602 g)

Key specs at a glance

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM IIFE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
Focal Length16-35 mm90 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull-FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNo5 stops
Weight547 g602 g
Min Focus22.1 cm28 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 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

81 × 134 mm

602 g (1.33 lb / 21.23 oz)

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II is 23mm shorter and 7mm wider than FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS.

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II is 55 g lighter than FE 90mm F2.8 Macro 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 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
Portrait
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
7.5Good
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
7.0Good
Landscape
7.0Good
3.0Limited
Travel
3.5Limited
3.5Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
5.5Fair
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
9.0Excellent

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II supports it

  • Min focus distance

    22.1 cm vs 28 cm — lower is better

  • Length

    111.5 mm vs 134 mm — lower is better

  • Weight

    547 g vs 602 g — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Max magnification

    1 × vs 0.32 × — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS supports it

  • Diameter

    81 mm vs 87.8 mm — lower is better

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

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 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

Pros

  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Sony E mount compatibility

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 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS at major authorized retailers.

Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II

Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

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Full specifications

= category winner

FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
Focal length (Min)
16 mm
90 mm
Focal length (Max)
35 mm
90 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
15
14
Groups
12
11
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
Min focus distance
22.1 cm−6 cm less
28 cm
Max magnification
0.32 ×
1 ×3.1× more
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
5 stops
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
Weight
547 g−55 g less
602 g
Length
111.5 mm−23 mm less
134 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 90mm F2.8 Macro 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.