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Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM vs Sony FE 16–35mm F2.8 GM II

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyFE 12-24mm F2.8 GMSonyFE 16–35mm F2.8 GM II
Overview
ReleasedJuly 2020September 2023
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length12–24 mm16–35 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/2.8
Minimum aperturef/22f/22
Optical construction17 elements in 14 groups15 elements in 12 groups; Amateur Photographer gives 11 groups in its specification table, so the maker count is used
Special elementsThree XA extreme-aspherical elements, one aspherical element, three ED and two Super ED glass elementsFive aspherical elements including three XA; one Super ED and two ED elements
CoatingsNano AR Coating II; fluorine coating on front elementNano AR Coating II; fluorine coating on front element
DiaphragmNine rounded blades11 rounded blades
Angle of view122°–84° full frame; 99°–61° APS-C107°–63° full frame; 83°–44° APS-C
Mount and compatibility
MountsSony ESony E
Image circleFull frameFull frame
Image circle detailFull-frame coverage; 18–36 mm equivalent field of view on APS-CFull-frame coverage; 24–52.5 mm equivalent field of view on APS-C. Photography Blog labels the APS-C angle range as full-frame; maker ranges are used.
Teleconverter supportNot compatible with SEL14TC or SEL20TCNot compatible with SEL14TC or SEL20TC
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.28 m0.22 m
Maximum magnification0.14×0.32×
Optical stabilisationNoNo
Autofocus detailFour XD linear motors, two per floating focus group; internal focusingFour XD linear motors; floating focus; Linear Response MF
Focus distance detailMinimum focus 0.28 m throughout the zoom range; Linear Response MFMinimum focus 0.22 m at both ends of the zoom
Magnification detailMaximum magnification 0.14×–
Stabilisation detailNo lens stabilisation; compatible bodies provide stabilisationNo lens stabilisation; compatible bodies provide stabilisation
Video features–Optical design suppresses focus breathing, focus shift and axis shift during zoom
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesYes
Filter diameter–82 mm
Maximum diameter97.6 mm87.8 mm
Length137 mm111.5 mm
Weight847 g547 g
ControlsAF/MF switch, one customisable focus-hold button, zoom and focus rings; no aperture ringAperture ring, click on/off switch, iris lock, AF/MF switch and two focus-hold buttons
Zoom design–Barrel extends towards the 16 mm setting
Filter detailNo front filter thread; rear holder accepts cut sheet filters, with cutting template supplied–
Weather resistanceDust- and moisture-resistant design; not guaranteed completely dust- or moisture-proofDust- and moisture-resistant design; not guaranteed completely dust- or moisture-proof
Weight detailApproximately 847 g lens with integral hood; separate caps excludedApproximately 547 g lens; separately supplied hood, caps and case excluded
Lens hoodFixed petal hood integrated into the lensALC-SH177 petal-shaped bayonet hood
In the boxLocking front cap, ALC-R1EM rear cap, soft carrying case and filter templateALC-SH177 hood, ALC-F82S front cap, ALC-R1EM rear cap, soft case and case strap
Release detailSony Australia specified late July 2020 availability; Sony UK specified August for Europe and Japan specified 7 August, separate from 14 July pre-orders. Main date uses the earliest maker-confirmed July precision. TechRadar’s 24–48 mm APS-C equivalent is inconsistent with maker18–36 mm; Photography Blog’s focal-range section uses the APS-C angles, with maker full-frame angles retained here. Review distortion and corner-darkening differences are preservedSony UK announced on 29 August 2023 with September 2023 availability and an approximate £2,400 list price; first-sale precision remains the month

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