Customer Ratings & Reviews

Excellent lens. I use this for real estate with my 14MM and the quality is on point in comparison to that lens. The 14 is heavier than this lens and it feels better built but this lens is great. The weight is perfect for gimbal use which I use all day. If you’re going from a 16-35 GM you’re going to be super happy with the weight. Also you won’t need as large of a gimbal to use it. I have both the small and large ronin and I can now use the smaller ronin all day with this lens. The heavier set up use to make my back hurt and with this set up that issue has stop.

Takes a little to get used to, but wonderful lens for close ups!

The new Sony 16-25mm f/2.8 G lens is really an exceptional lens for both photography and vlogging. The lens design is right in line with most other newer Sony lenses. Solid build with a good feel to the zoom ring and aperture ring as well. There is also a click/de-click switch for the aperture ring as well as a customizable focus hold button and AF/MF switch. Not surprisingly for such a wide angle lens, there is no built in image stabilization. But with almost all modern Sony bodies having built in stabilization this really isn't needed in the lens itself. Honestly, aside from the "G" label on the lens instead of a "GM", you wouldn't notice that it isn't a "GM" lens. The lens barrel does extend slightly when zooming, but it is very little. I am pleasantly surprised that it is so lightweight. I knew it wasn't going to be a large lens, but I expected a bit more heft to it. The lightweight will be greatly appreciated when using it on a gimbal. Many people might not understand the need for a zoom with only a 9mm extension. However, when you are talking about the wide end of the lens spectrum, this is rather noticeable. For vlogging, this is a perfect lens covering the most used field of view. For photography, this may very well be the only wide lens you need. In fact, I have a number of wide lenses in my collection and with how good this lens is, I think a couple will be going up for sale very soon. Colors and contrast are excellent. Chromatic aberrations are virtually non existent. Really don't know how Sony pulled that off with such a wide zoom. Sharpness hits well above what I could have ever expected for such a wide lens. I have never seen a wide zoom from any manufacturer that performs this well. And the focus is completely silent and fast enough to keep up with the high frame rates of the newest Sony full frame bodies. I haven't had it for very long, but it has been an absolute joy to use. To be able to have a wide zoom lens so perfectly suited for both video and photography at the same time is a dream. I've attached a night photo of a local bridge shot at 16mm f/8 for 30 seconds. The sharpness as you can see is excellent. I might add that the lens performs equally as well wide open at f/2.8 as it does stopped down. Most zooms seem to perform a bit better at one end of the extreme or the other. I think if I really pixel peep I would say the lens is a touch better at the 16mm end rather than the 25mm end. But this is with extreme pixel peeping and could easily be more an issue of my skill than the lens. If this is a focal range you need for either video or photography, do not hesitate to buy it. I have a feeling this is going to be an instant classic.

Since I started shooting way way back, I’ve been a Sony user. I fell in love with their bodies but way back then, the lenses weren’t always the best. Those days are way behind us now. There are so many E-Mount options out there now from Sony that you can start to get picky. That said, I’m still picking this as my go to wide angle from now on. It’s so light, like a lot of people mentioned, but seriously, you’ll understand when you hold it. I have an 85mm from another manufacturer and I love it, but it’s like attaching a VW bug to my camera body. This lens is so much lighter and that means hiking and street photography will have less weight to lug around and can easily travel with you. But none of that matters if it’s not also a good piece of glass. And no, that’s not an Orange G on the side, it’s just a G but you might be fooled if you saw images they took side by side. The new GM’s are still gonna blow this out of the water, but stack it up against some older models and you might be needing a pixel peep to spot the difference. So obviously I love this lens, let’s talk about why. DESIGN: Like I said, it’s lightweight and small, which is great for obvious reasons. It also has only a small amount of barrel extension when using the zoom. This is going to be especially important for gimbal users. I did not test this, but I think you’d be pretty safe to use this zoom without much if any changes to your balance. Obviously depending on your gimbal but it really only moves out a tiny bit. There’s a focus, zoom, and aperture ring. All are exactly how you want them to feel and the aperture ring will even change depending on how you want it to feel. If you want clicks, flip a switch. If you want a smooth dial, flip it back. The zoom ring is tight but smooth but not too tight….it’s just right. Lastly, the lens has a MF/AF switch just below the custom button switch. These buttons sit perfectly where your thumb will probably rest and are easy to feel with your finger without needing to take your eye out of the viewfinder. The focus switch is stiff enough you won’t accidently hit it and the C button has a satisfying “click” press. IMAGE QUALITY: So what about the photos? I haven’t had this lens super long yet so I have not tested it on the job, but doing some test shots around the area I am liking the potential here. The biggest standout to me is the focal length. With such a wide angle but short focal length, you can really do some creative looks and get right up close if needed. Attached are two photos showing this. The image of the Marigold flower was taken from the distance shown in the next photo. That’s crazy how close you can get. I even took some photos focused on my wife’s eye and pushed in as close as I could while still keeping focus and I almost bumped her nose! I’d upload those photos, but they look creepy that close up on an eye to be honest. BUT it was very impressive to see the quality was so good I could see myself in the reflection in her eye. Like some CSI stuff, ENHANCE. So suffice to say, this lens is very sharp and produces great images. At wide open, there may be more softness in the corners, but like any lens, move a few stops and that quickly becomes sharp. The bokeh is smooth and the sunbursts and higher F stops are really great in my opinion. I uploaded a few other photos of examples in shadows, into the sun, and dynamic light, etc. They’re all shot around golden hour, (so no, that’s not an orange glow from the lens or body) and I didn’t edit them other than some light balance and maybe saturation. I did not do any lens corrections other than what PS/camera RAW may have done automatically. I shot the images on a sony A7iii. I also took a few pictures, not seen here, of the trees directly into the sun and, besides not being the most pleasing composition, they handled the light pretty well. I didn’t see any major purple edges or anything around the leaves and branches and I only got a few light flare issues from certain angles. OVERALL: So yeah, I think it’s safe to say I really like this lens. It’s still a lot of money, but it’s not anywhere near the price of a GM series and obviously not going to perform the same, but you will still get amazing performance from this lens. It’s just the right amount of zoom, and at 16mm you can frame large buildings or scenes in tight quarters and still fit it all into your composition. Vloggers will love the wide angle for many reasons, including more room to crop in for shake compensation. I can’t wait to do more landscape and astrophotography with this lens and even some environmental portrait work. This lens is definitely going in my “always pack it” pile and just became my new favorite for video and photo! I would highly recommend it for any shooters (vid or photo) that needs a better midrange wide angle option that works amazingly with their sony camera body. The images are fantastic, the build and design is well thought out and light weight and G on the side tells you its quality. Buy it.

Since buying my first mirrorless camera back in 2018 Sony was the only brand I considered and since then I’ve never looked back. I started with the 6400 and moved up to the a7c a couple years ago. The biggest reason was Sony's excellent auto focus. My primary focus with this lens is shooting real estate photography for my girlfriend, but I do love to take pictures of freight trains and the wide angle has been great for both. We don't do much video when shooting homes, but do occasionally record a short intro video. I would usually record that with my phone, but with this lens I can now use my a7c. When taking pictures I was extremely pleased with the photos I got. From the clarity to the beautiful bokeh that the 2.8 aperture can produce. Even when cropping in, the detail this lens gives you is extremely pleasing. When combined with my a7c, this is an excellent compact package that I feel confident I can get the pic if this is the only lens I have with me. If you’re looking for a versatile and compact wide angle lens that can produce beautiful images with just as beautiful bokeh, this is it!

Great Compact Lightweight Fast Quiet autofocus Low distortion Good for macro shots Great for low light Great sun stars if you are a fan Not So Great External zoom Limited zoom range AF/MF switch hard to use by feel This review comes from a standpoint of a prosumer that uses the lens for content for work. I mostly do landscape and macro photography. I am not as well versed on full usage compared to a full-time professional photographer and so this lens is a perfect fit having the key features without being as high and as their G Master line. Out of the box the lens is surprisingly light and compact. You could be forgiven for mistaking it for the kit lens. It is that compact. The weight isn’t much different either, but that f/2.8 aperture is a dead giveaway. While I mostly do landscape photography, the weight feels far more manageable for vloggers. Also, with such a wide angle you could keep the camera closer and minimize shaking without relying on electronic stabilization as well as reduce arm strain. It does have an external focus, but it doesn’t move very far and likely won’t affect balance if you use a gimble. For my main usage, it handles low light easily and can pull detail out of landscapes at night with limited noise even without a tripod. It creates nice bokeh balls that are slightly oblong at f/2.8 and become round starbursts as you step up. Daytime macro shots are sharp with limited distortion mainly evident in the corners at f/2.8. It quickly resolves as you step up. It also does a respectable job at portrait photography with a nice bokeh. If you like sun stars, they are very clean and crisp at f/22. It does exhibit minor issues with flare in certain scenarios and in some cases the included hood helps. The hood can store reversed on the lens, but it does block access to the AF/MF switch and lock button. Autofocus is smooth, fast, and silent with little to no focus breathing. It is fast enough to keep up with my dog. Unfortunately, I’m not always fast enough. The manual focus ring feels smooth and tight. While zoom doesn’t do much it is also smooth and tight. Adjusting f-stops is easy with satisfying clicks between stops and a firm click to lock out manual controls. So far, the only issues I have found are minor. On my Alpha a7iii lens correction is grayed out. In checking, I am on version 4.0 firmware and the latest is 4.01 but there is no mention of support. That said, distortion is minimal and primarily when used wide open. It is rarely visible in landscapes and can be easily corrected in post if needed. If you prefer to have distortion corrected in body, you may want to verify your camera body supports this lens directly. Another issue is the AF/MF switch. It isn’t very pronounced and doesn’t move easily. While this is good to prevent accidental changes it does make it harder for you to turn it on and off without turning the camera around to find the switch. Overall, the Sony FE 16-25mm f/2.8 lens is a versatile lens to have in your bag. While others are better in certain areas, this lens makes you question if you want to add the extra weight. The only area it falls short in is zoom which could be fixed by pairing it with its companion zoom lens.

I recently had the pleasure of using the Sony FE 16-25mm f/2.8 G lens and it exceeded my expectations in every aspect. I was looking for a lens that offered versatility for both photography and videography without compromising on quality. This lens delivers on both fronts. I was using this lens in my SONY a9 camera. The sharpness is exceptional, even at the edges of the frame and the clarity and detail is outstanding. The color reproduction is natural and accurate, with excellent contrast. I was particularly impressed with how well the lens handles flaring and ghosting, especially when shooting into bright light sources like the sun. I have done a photoshoot this weekend for homecoming event and the results were outstanding. The construction of this lens is solid and feels robust, which is reassuring when using it in different environments. The weather sealing is a huge advantage for outdoor shoots and it provides peace of mind when working in unpredictable conditions. The focus and zoom rings are well-designed, providing a smooth and responsive experience. The autofocus system is fast, silent, and precise, making it a joy to use for both stills and video. It locks onto subjects with ease, even in challenging lighting situations. For videographers, the near-silent focusing is a significant advantage, as it eliminates unwanted noise during recording. With a focal length range of 16-25mm, this lens covers a wide range of shooting scenarios. I found it perfect for landscapes, architecture, and environmental portraits. The constant f/2.8 aperture provides a great balance of light-gathering ability and depth-of-field control, which is particularly useful in low-light environments or when trying to isolate subjects. The Sony FE 16-25mm f/2.8 G lens is a fantastic choice for anyone seeking a high-quality wide-angle zoom lens. Its performance, build quality, and versatility make it an excellent investment for professionals and enthusiasts. I highly recommend this lens for those looking to elevate their wide-angle photography and videography.

The Sony FE 16-25mm F2.8 G lens is a wide-angle zoom lens designed for full-frame Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras. It is also compatible with Sony APS-C crop sensors, and when used on one, the lens produces a 24-37.5mm focal range. It is a versatile and useful focal range that is well-suited for a variety of genres. I mainly use this lens with my full frame Sony FX3 cinema camera on a gimbal for video capture and it performs flawlessly. It is native Sony glass, so the focus is precise, quick, and responsive. For a wide angle lens, the extremely close minimum focusing distance creates beautiful bokeh that looks dreamy when shooting both high resolution photography and 4K video. Additionally, it is very lightweight and small, which makes it ideal for gimbal work, as well as a myriad of other shooting applications including travel photography, vlogging, and videography. As with all native Sony lenses, the FE 16-25mm F2.8 G lens is a well-built lens. The lens is weather-sealed, making it resistant to dust and moisture. The zoom ring is smooth and well-damped, and the focus ring is precise and responsive. With a customizable button and a toggle that allows for both smooth and clickable aperture, this lens becomes an excellent option for photographers and videographers seeking versatility and precision in their work. The Sony FE 16-25mm F2.8 G lens produces outstanding image quality. The lens is sharp from corner to corner, and produces minimal vignetting, even at wide apertures. The lens also has excellent contrast and color reproduction. Throughout my evaluation of both still photography and videography, the performance of this lens has surpassed my expectations, continuing the exceptional standard set by every other native Sony G lens. With the combination of an 11-blade iris and a circular aperture, this extreme wide-angle lens can create stunning bokeh at close range, allowing for some very captivating and unique photographic opportunities. Needless to say, this small, lightweight lens has earned a place in my bag. The autofocus is fast, accurate and is able to track moving subjects with ease. Using this lens with an Alpha series full frame Sony camera is a natural match made in heaven. With its wide-angle capability, the lens effortlessly captures tack sharp images, including precise eye autofocus, which is imperative for vlogging, portrait, and talking head sessions. The Sony FE 16-25mm F2.8 G lens is ideal for landscape photography, astro photography, architecture, and especially interior shooting. The lens can also be used for environmental portrait photography, which I have tried and it is quite fun. This also leads me to believe it would be an excellent choice for street photography as well. As stated previously, I mostly use this lens for interior gimbal work. Having a constant aperture of f/2.8 is a great match for indoor shooting. I also find the 16-25mm focal length perfect for both interior and exterior real estate shooting, as well as event and wedding work. In conclusion, the Sony FE 16-25mm F2.8 G lens is an excellent and versatile wide-angle zoom lens. The lens is sharp, has excellent contrast and color reproduction, and produces pleasing bokeh. The lens is well-built, among the smallest and lightest in its class, and has fast and accurate autofocus. Regardless of whether you're taking photos or filming videos, the Sony FE 16-25mm F2.8 G lens is a great choice that can easily adapt to any wide-angle scenario.

I have a Sony Alpha 7 IV as my main camera and typically use the Sony 24-70 GM II as my everyday lens but have been wanting a wider lens for landscape/cityscape and for indoor shots in tight spaces. So far, I’m impressed with the Sony FE 16-24mm F2.8 G. It’s small, lightweight, and like my GMII can maintain f/2.8 aperture throughout the length of the focal range. The zoom ring is buttery smooth and not loose enough that I would worry about drift, especially with the lens being so light. I can now capture an entire group of people in an indoor setting where my 24-70 lens just would not be wide enough to do so. I took some walk-around photos in downtown Austin that you can see below. All of these are unedited straight from the camera. With this lens I’m able to stand much closer to a subject and still capture all of it. For example, in the church photo looking up I am literally standing at the steps of the church. The turtle is my pet and you can see the type of bokeh this lens can offer even without the best of lighting. I haven’t had a chance to take it out and do some landscape shots yet but with a tripod and the right time of day I look forward to capturing some amazing vistas with this lens. Although I don’t do much video with my Sony, I think this lens would be an excellent option for those who do, mostly due to its size and weight. It also does not extend but maybe half an inch when using it at 16mm, keeping it compact for gimbal use. Pros: - Fast and Constant f/2.8 - Compact and Lightweight - Includes Lens Hood - Dust and Moisture Resistant - Excellent for tight situations - 1 Customizable Button - Smooth or Clicking Aperture Ring Cons: - None! Overall – Excellent ultrawide to wide angle lens for your Sony full-frame camera. Highly recommended!

My new favorite lens. Love taking landscape photos, especially below the 24mm range! Would be have been nice if this would be a 16-28 instead!

I purchased this lens to use especially with my Sony A7CII because of its size/weight, zoom range, low light capacity, and image quality. I intend to use it for street and travel photography.

This lens is great. I use it for real estate. My Old Sony lens ended up breaking after 4 years so i upgraded to this one. Photos are clear and the wide angle is great but doesn't make the photo look too wide( Fish eye Lens)

It is light, small and great image quality! Great for traveling to vlog! I use a Sony a7rV. lightweight gear is so awesome when moving around. I use this lens to film myself or landscape or huge family photo. 16-35 GM2 is also worth considering but you might be going to the lighter lens more because it is easier on the arms. Best Buy did give me a 5 promotion to submit review but that did not influence my review! It just motivated me to write a review, I usually don't write reviews because I just forget.

Perfect lens ! For wide shots with a crisp image. f2.8 for perfect lighting at night and light weight and compact

Great lens for real estate photography. Brilliant pictures.

Its small and compact. bought it open box for 849. looks brandnew.

This lens is around $1.2k which is pretty expensive but also I LOVE how lightweight and compact this thing is. Even though 9mm of zoom seems like very little, 16mm is EXTREMELY wide. I love how there is a customizable button. It is extremely convenient.

Crystal clear images and great for taking close up photos of my daughter or tight spaces when I’m strolling about. Definitely worth the investment to add to my amateur lens collection of a 28-70mm and 70-200mm G

Very nice high quality lens I would definitely recommend it to others

The Sony FE 16-25 mm F2.8 G is a full frame lens designed for Sony's E-mount camera bodies. As typical for Sony native lenses, this one is reasonably well weather-sealed. There is a dedicated aperture ring which you can select either click/ratchet rotation or smooth rotation. AF/MF switch which is located below the customizable button on the left, so it falls naturally where your thumb would rest (for a right handed grip). The hood clicks into place and doesn't jiggle. The biggest factor you'll notice is the (lack of) weight. Wide-angle with a minimum 16 mm focusing distance makes this a nice one lens option for a variety of uses. The lens also performs well in low light, so the 16-25mm range makes this a great option for Vloggers or creators filming in darker conditions, i.e. gaming streamers. Autofocus capability is superb, which is also par for the course for Sony. This lens is an ideal setup with the a7C series, as the small form factor and light weight don't completely offset the advantages of the new compact full frame bodies. Image quality is excellent, very sharp, but at the two extremes, there was some slight blurring in the corners. Overall thoughts: lightweight, sharp, quick autofocus that won't make you feel like you're missing out on the legendary Sony AF. Not a G series, but compares pretty well given the cost savings over the master series lenses. Excellent versatility for video or photos.