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Head-to-head · Best Wide-Angle Lenses for Sony E-Mount

Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM vs Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM and Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II score essentially the same (4.8 vs 4.8). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM
Ranked #2 in Best Wide-Angle Lenses for Sony E-Mount
Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM
$1,698as of Jun 7

The FE 14mm F1.8 GM is an exceptionally compact and light ultra-wide prime that punches well above its size. It is razor-sharp from f/1.8, controls coma well enough for serious astrophotography, and weighs a fraction of competing 14mm lenses. The trade-offs are the fixed focal length, the rear-only filter system, and a premium price for a specialist angle of view.

Strengths
  • — Outstanding center sharpness wide open at f/1.8, holding through f/11
  • — Remarkably compact and light for the class at 460g, far smaller than rival 14mm primes
  • — f/1.8 ultra-wide aperture is a serious tool for Milky Way and astro work
Watch-outs
  • — Bulbous front element means no front filter thread; uses a rear filter holder only
  • — Some wavy distortion that benefits from the correction profile
  • — Fixed 14mm focal length offers no framing flexibility
$1,698 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
Ranked #1 in Best Wide-Angle Lenses for Sony E-Mount
Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
$2,598as of May 29

Sony's second-generation 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master completes the pro f/2.8 zoom trinity for E-mount and sets the bar for the class. It is dramatically lighter than its predecessor, delivers some of the most consistent wide-angle sharpness reviewers have tested, and focuses almost instantly. The price and some flare-related ghosting are the only real reservations.

Strengths
  • — The most consistent wide-angle zoom optical performance reviewers have measured, sharp corner-to-corner from f/2.8
  • — About 20% lighter than the Mark I at 547g, the world's smallest and lightest full-frame f/2.8 wide zoom at launch
  • — Quad XD linear motors deliver essentially instantaneous, near-silent autofocus on Sony's better bodies
Watch-outs
  • — At $2,298 it is far pricier than the Tamron and Sigma f/2.8 alternatives
  • — Complex barrel distortion at 16mm needs a heavy correction profile (around +24)
  • — Ghosting and purple blobs can appear shooting toward bright light sources, even stopped down to f/8
$2,598 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM

It goes wider and brighter than any zoom here, including the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II, making it the astro and low-light specialist of the group. Compared with the Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G it is wider and pricier but loses the front filter thread. The fixed 14mm view is the trade-off versus flexible options like the Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD.

Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II

It is the sharpest and best-built option here, but at $2,298 it costs more than twice the Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD or Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary, which deliver most of the optical quality for far less. Unlike the Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM and FE 20mm F1.8 G primes, it covers a flexible 16-35mm range in one lens.

Specs side-by-side

SpecSony FE 14mm F1.8 GMSony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
Focal Length14mm16-35mm
Max Aperturef/1.8f/2.8 (constant)
MountSony E (full-frame)Sony E (full-frame)
Weight460g547g
FilterRear filter holder (no front thread)—
StabilizationNone (relies on in-body IS)None (relies on in-body IS)
Dimensions83 x 99.8mm—
Aperture Blades911
Filter Thread—82mm
Minimum Focus—0.22m
← See the full ranking of best wide-angle lenses for sony e-mount