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

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyFE 12-24mm F4 GSonyFE 16-35mm F2.8 GM
Overview
ReleasedJuly 2017July 2017
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length12–24 mm16–35 mm
Maximum aperturef/4f/2.8
Minimum aperturef/22f/22
Optical constructionSeventeen elements in thirteen groupsSixteen elements in thirteen groups; floating focus mechanism with independently driven groups
Special elementsFour aspherical elements, three ED elements and one Super ED elementFive aspherical elements in total including two XA elements; two ED elements
CoatingsSony Nano AR coatingSony Nano AR coating and front-element fluorine coating
DiaphragmSeven rounded bladesEleven 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
Teleconverter supportNot compatible with Sony E-mount teleconvertersNot compatible with Sony E-mount teleconverters
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.28 m0.28 m
Maximum magnification0.14×0.19×
Optical stabilisationNoNo
Autofocus detailDirect-drive SSM with internal focusingTwo direct-drive SSM units drive the floating focusing groups
Focus distance detail0.28 m minimum focus distance0.28 m minimum focus distance
Magnification detail0.14× maximum magnification0.19× maximum magnification
Stabilisation detailNo optical stabilisation; compatible camera body stabilisation can be usedNo optical stabilisation; compatible camera body stabilisation can be used
Video featuresConstant F4 maximum aperture and internal focusingConstant F2.8 maximum aperture and quiet direct-drive SSM focusing
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesYes
Filter diameter–82 mm
Maximum diameter87 mm88.5 mm
Length117.4 mm121.6 mm
Weight565 g680 g
ControlsManual-focus and zoom rings, AF/MF switch and customisable focus-hold buttonManual-focus and zoom rings, AF/MF switch and customisable focus-hold button; hood release button
Filter detailMaker specifies no attachable front filters; no front filter thread82 mm front filter thread
Weather resistanceDust and moisture resistant design; not guaranteed to prevent all ingressDust and moisture resistant design with rubber mount ring; not guaranteed to prevent all ingress
Dimensions detail87 mm maximum diameter × 117.4 mm length88.5 mm maximum diameter × 121.6 mm maker length; lens extends at wider zoom settings (Photography Blog and OpticalLimits)
Weight detailApproximately 565 g lens; separate caps excluded; hood is fixedApproximately 680 g lens; separate hood and caps excluded
Lens hoodFixed petal hoodALC-SH149 petal bayonet hood, supplied
In the boxFront cap, ALC-R1EM rear cap and soft caseALC-SH149 hood, ALC-F82S front cap, ALC-R1EM rear cap and soft carrying case
Release detailSony Canada announcement dated 17 May 2017 specifies July shipping; Sony Japan revised notice specifies 7 July 2017. Main release retains month precision because exact first global sale day is unconfirmed. Two independently authored full reviews read: Photography Blog Mark Goldstein on Alpha 7R II and OpticalLimits Klaus Schroiff with a well-centred sample. Their differing assessment of omitted stabilisation retained. Raw versus corrected distortion/vignetting qualified. Blog weight560g, full-frame angle99–61degrees and hood release button conflict with maker565g,122–84degrees and fixed hood. Conflicting review barrel-material claims omitted; no inferred predecessor linkSony Canada announcement dated 17 May 2017 initially specifies August; revised Sony Japan maker release of 14 July brings Japan sale forward to 28 July 2017. Main date uses July, exact first global day unconfirmed. Two independent full reviews read: Photography Blog Mark Goldstein and OpticalLimits Klaus Schroiff, both Alpha 7R II. Differing edge sharpness, autofocus speed and balance assessments retained; OL sample centring good. OL optical table undercounts asphericals, maker five total including two XA used; Blog full-frame angle mistakenly uses APS-C83–44degree figures, maker107–63 used. No inferred predecessor link

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