Sony announces a compact large aperture wide-angle G series zoom FE 16-25mm F2.8 G
Sony has announced a new compact, large aperture wide-angle G series zoom the Sony FE 16-25mm F2.8 G aimed at both stills photographers and video/filmmakers.
The filter thread size is just 67mm and it looks like it’s an IF design (with no extending lens barrels) so it should be capable of taking a decent matte box or filter holder and a raft of filters. 67mm is just at the limit (minimum) of most matte box systems.
This is the second lens to follow this short-zoom style, after the Sony FE 24-50mm F2.8 G” announced in February 2024 and uses the same size filter thread. Will a third, say a 50-100mm F2.8 follow? Who knows.
Key features include:
- High-resolution performance
- 11-blade circular aperture for beautiful bokeh
- High-speed, high-precision, quiet, fast-tracking AF (autofocus)
- High close-up shooting capability
- Compact and lightweight design
Price: £1,250, €1400 (Ireland)
Check price and availability at the following stores:
Park Cameras (UK) | Wex Photo (UK) | Amazon (UK)
B&H Photo (US) | Adorama (US) | Amazon (US)
Press Release:
Sony releases large aperture wide-angle zoom G Lens™ FE 16-25mm F2.8 G
Balances the supreme expression capabilities of a wide-open F2.8 with a compact and lightweight design for excellent portability
April 16th, Sony is pleased to announce the latest addition to its full-frame α™ (Alpha™) E-mount lens line-up. FE 16-25mm F2.8 G is a large-aperture wide-angle zoom lens that maintains an F2.8 maximum aperture over the entire zoom range from 16 mm to 25 mm, combining supreme image quality with excellent portability due to its compact and lightweight design.
This new lens offers high-resolution performance, beautiful bokeh, and high-speed, high-precision, quiet, fast-tracking AF (autofocus). Weighing an impressively light 409 g, it is highly portable so you can easily enjoy everyday shooting that emphasises the sense of perspective that can only be achieved with a wide-angle lens. It benefits from the same filter diameter, operability and roughly the same size and weight as the “FE 24-50mm F2.8 G” announced in February 2024, easy to use when shooting hand-held or when combined with a gimbal. The FE 16-25mm F2.8 G expands the range of photographic and video expression for creators in a variety of scenes such as astrophotography, landscapes, architecture, portraits, general snapshots, and selfies.
Key features of FE 16-25mm F2.8 G
- Compact and lightweight design with the latest optical and mechanical design.
- Filter diameter φ67 mm, maximum diameter 74.8 mm, length 91.4 mm, weight approximately 409 g.
- By effectively arranging three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glasses and four aspherical lenses, including one ED aspherical lens, various aberrations such as chromatic aberration are reduced, and high-resolution performance is achieved from the centre of the screen to the corner.
- The 11-blade circular aperture and optimisation of spherical aberration provide the beautiful bokeh that is the hallmark of Sony G lenses.
- High close-up shooting capability with a minimum shooting distance of 0.18 m and a maximum magnification of 0.20x [i].
- Equipped with two linear motors, it enables high-speed, high-precision, high-tracking, and quiet focusing even on fast-moving subjects. It also supports high-speed continuous shooting with AF/AE tracking of up to approximately 120 frames per second for the α9 III full-frame mirrorless camera[ii]. Smooth tracking even when shooting 4K120p/FHD240p[iii] high frame rate videos that require precise focusing.
- The adoption of linear response MF during manual focus allows for smooth and high-quality image expression.
- Reducing the focus breathing allows high-quality movie expression.
- Compatible with the α series camera’s image stabilisation “Active Mode”[iv], achieving high image stabilisation effects.
- High operability, including a focus hold button, aperture ring, aperture click ON/OFF switch, and focus mode switch.
- Designed to be dust and moisture-proof [v] with a fluorine coating that prevents dirt from sticking to the front surface of the lens.
Pricing and Availability
The new FE 16-25mm F2.8 G will be available in the UK and Ireland for approximately £1250 and €1400, respectively. It will be sold at a variety of Sony’s authorised dealers throughout the UK and Europe.
A variety of exclusive stories, videos and exciting new content shot with the newest cameras and other Sony products can be found here. Sony’s European photography hub is available in 22 languages and details product news, competitions and an up-to-date list of Sony events in each country.
A product video on the new FE 16-25mm F2.8 G can be viewed, below
For more information about FE 16-25mm F2.8 G, please visit the links below.
UK:
https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/e-mount-lenses/sel1625g
Ireland:
https://www.sony.ie/electronics/e-mount-lenses/sel1625g
[i] Maximum magnification is 0.2x (AF)/0.23x (MF) with a minimum focus distance of 0.18 m (0.59ft) (AF) / 0.17 m (0.56ft) (MF) at the 16 mm end of the range and 0.24 m (AF) (0.79ft) / 0.22 m (0.73ft) (MF) at the 25 mm end of the range.
[ii] Sony test conditions. Maximum continuous frame rate may be lower in some shooting conditions. Continuous shooting speed may vary depending on the lens used in AF-C focus modes. Visit Sony’s support web page for lens compatibility information.
[iii] Depends on the camera used.
[iv] Compatible models only
[v] Not guaranteed to be 100% dust and moisture proof.
