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Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM vs Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G

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Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM

Wideangle Zoom | Sony E

Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM
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Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G

Wideangle Zoom | Sony E

Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G
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Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM vs Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM and Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G, two Wideangle Zoom lenses by Sony.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM Key Specs

  • 16-35mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 82mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 680g.
  • Diameter: 89mm
  • Length: 122mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.28m
  • Max Magnification:0.19x

Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G Key Specs

  • 12-24mm Focal Range
  • F4 Max Aperture
  • Weather Sealed
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 565g.
  • Diameter: 87mm
  • Length: 117mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.28m
  • Max Magnification:0.14x

What type of photography are the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM and Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM and the Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G
Bird/WildlifePoorPoor
SportsPoorPoor
PortraitFairFair
TravelGoodAverage
StreetGoodAverage
WeddingFairFair
Walk AroundGoodAverage
VloggingVery GoodGood
LandscapeVery GoodVery Good
MacroPoorPoor

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM is the longer of the two lenses at 122mm. The Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G with a length of 117mm is 5mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM also has a larger diameter of 89mm compared to Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G's 87mm diameter.

Below you can find the scaled side by side image of Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM and Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G to get a better idea of how their size compare in real life.

Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM vs Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G Lens Size Comparison
Comparison image of Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM and Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G Size and Weight

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G weighs 565g, 16% (115g) lighter than the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM's weight of 680g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the 'Wideangle Zoom Lenses in Sony E Mount for size comparison purposes.

Wideangle Zoom Lenses in Sony E Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sony FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G Lens Sony FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G
88mm
81mm 353g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony Vario-Tessar T FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS Lens Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS
99mm
78mm 518g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony E 10-18mm F4 OSS Lens Sony E 10-18mm F4 OSS
64mm
70mm 225g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD Lens Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A
86mm
73mm 335g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art Lens Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art
131mm
85mm 795g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD Lens Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III
mm
mm 420g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony 12-24mm F2.8 GM Lens Sony 12-24mm F2.8 GM
137mm
98mm 847g Amazon B&H Photo
Venus Laowa 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom Lens Venus 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom
91mm
61mm 496g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM and Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G has the same Sony E lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony E lenses are Sony A7R V, Sony FX30 and Sony A7 IV.

Focal Range

Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM has a focal range of 16-35mm and 2.2X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 24 - 52.5mm.
Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G has a focal range of 12-24mm and 2.0X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 18 - 36mm.

Reasons to choose Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM over Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G

Focal Length - Tele 35mm vs 24mm 11mm more Tele coverage
Optical Zoom 2.20x vs 2.00x More flexible focal coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 2.8 vs 4 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 2.8 vs 4 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades 11 vs 7 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Max Magnification 0.19x vs 0.14x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G over Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM

Focal Length - Wide 12mm vs 16mm 4mm Wider coverage
Weight 565g vs 680g 115g lighter
Diameter 87mm vs 89mm 2mm smaller in diameter
Length 117mm vs 122mm 5mm shorter

Common Strengths of Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM and Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G
Internal Focusing Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Weather Sealing Yes vs Yes safer to use under rain and dust
Common Weaknesses of Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM and Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Internal Zoom No vs No Length of the lens changes during zooming
Distance Scale No vs No No Distance Scale assist



**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM vs Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Sony Sony
Lens Type Zoom Zoom
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Wideangle Zoom Wideangle Zoom
Lens Mount Sony E Sony E
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 16-35mm 12-24mm
Image Stabilization No
Colour Black Black
Zoom Method Rotary (extending) Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 2.2X 2.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F2.8 F4
Min Aperture F22 F22
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 11 7
Optics
Optical Elements 16 17
Optical Groups 13 13
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.28m 0.28m
Max Magnification 0.19X 0.14X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Piezoelectric Piezoelectric
Full Time Manual Yes Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale No No
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale No No
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 680g 565g
Diameter 89mm 87mm
Length 122mm 117mm
Materials Magnesium alloy Aluminum alloy
Weather Sealing Yes Yes
Filter Thread 82mm Unknown
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code ALC-SH149 Unknown
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
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