Sony Announces the FE 16-25mm f/2.8 G
Sony has revealed the FE 16-25mm f/2.8 G, a tiny and affordable ultra-wide lens that is the ideal companion of Sony’s FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G lens, which was announced in February. Sony positioned the 16-25mm f/2.8 as a natural complement to the 24-50mm f/2.8, treating them as two sides of the same coin. For photographers and videographers who require and can afford both new zooms, they comprise a relatively compact kit that guarantees professional-level results.
“The FE 16-25mm f/2.8 G was designed to offer creators a wide-angle lens option that perfectly balances large-aperture, compact form factor, and high-image quality. This is the 73rd addition to our E-mount lens line-up, and just another step in our commitment to providing photographers and videographers with the perfect lens solutions for their specific needs,” says Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “The FE 16-25mm F2.8 G is a fantastic lens with high-resolution performance, beautiful bokeh, and high precision autofocus. It is a perfect companion to the Alpha 7C R and Alpha 7C II compact full-frame camera bodies, and together they offer an unbeatable lightweight set-up.”
The 16-25mm f/2.8, which will be released alongside the 24-50mm f/2.8 G next month, promises a balance of high-end image quality and lightweight design. Historically, photographers and videographers looking for a tiny, lightweight lens had to make a compromise on maximum aperture, choosing an f/4 or slower lens. However, Sony claims that while consumers do not want massive, hefty lenses, they do desire an f/2.8 maximum aperture. Advances in optical design technologies now allow for both a quick aperture and a compact form factor.
The FE 16-25mm f/2.8 features three extra-low dispersion (ED) lens elements and four aspherical lenses, which Sony claims reduce optical distortions, including chromatic aberration. The lens has an 11-bladed circular aperture diaphragm, which ensures smooth bokeh consistent with other G lenses.
The new 16-25mm f/2.8 weighs 408 grams, and its length is 92.3 millimeters.
Another potential advantage is improved focusing performance. The 16-25mm f/2.8 lens features a pair of linear motors that enable fast and accurate autofocus performance, even on super-speed cameras like the a9 III with 120 frames per second continuous shooting. Sony further claims that the lens, which is intended for photo and video applications, achieves good focusing during 4K/120p recording and offers focus breathing correction.
The lens can also focus very tightly, with a minimum shooting distance of 0.18 meters. When utilizing autofocus, this results in a maximum magnification of 0.20x.
The 16-25mm f/2.8 may appear to be quite similar to the 24-50mm f/2.8, and this is not by chance. The lenses are essentially identical, with each featuring an aperture ring, focus ring, and custom button. The lenses differ by roughly a millimeter in length and have identical centers of gravity, thus rigs do not need to be reset when replacing lenses.
The Sony FE 16-25mm f/2.8 G will be available for $1,199 on May 10th.
