Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II lens review

Sony's new wide angle zoom is an excellent finale for its second-gen of holy trinity lenses

Sony A7C II camera with Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II lens
(Image: © Gareth Bevan / Digital Camera World)

Digital Camera World Verdict

The release of Sony's latest 16-35 GM II lens marks the culmination of their second-generation holy trinity lens series, and it certainly lives up to expectations as the grand finale. This lens delivers exceptional image quality across the entire frame, boasting remarkable sharpness. Notable enhancements have been implemented in the corners, effectively reducing distortion and vignetting. In a notable achievement, the lens is also more compact and lighter compared to Sony's previous 16-35mm G Master model.Nonetheless, this lens comes with a considerable price tag, attributed to the prestigious G Master branding, which commands a premium over third-party lenses that arguably provide similar image and construction quality.

Pros

  • +

    Excellent image quality

  • +

    Lighter and more compact than first gen

  • +

    Great build quality and weather sealed

  • +

    Balanced center of gravity

Cons

  • -

    Pricey

  • -

    Strong competition from third-party lenses

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Building on the momentum initiated by the Sony FE 24-70mm F/2.8 GM II in April 2022 and followed by the Sony FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM OSS II in late 2021, Sony has now reworked its trio of pro zoom lenses to make the most of Sony’s latest sensors and those ever-increasing megapixels.

The trio of lenses casually referred to as the "holy trinity" of lenses, are the three zoom champs that any well-rounded pro photographer should have in their arsenal. These lenses offer wide f/2.8 apertures, are built for professional workloads, and with focal lengths from a wide 16mm to a telephoto 200mm, you've got everything covered, from landscapes, portraits, wildlife, and sports, with no need to keep swapping lenses constantly.

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Gareth Bevan
Reviews Editor

Gareth is a photographer based in London, working as a freelance photographer and videographer for the past several years, having the privilege to shoot for some household names. With work focusing on fashion, portrait and lifestyle content creation, he has developed a range of skills covering everything from editorial shoots to social media videos. Outside of work, he has a personal passion for travel and nature photography, with a devotion to sustainability and environmental causes.