A1 IIvs Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II
Sony
A1 II (2025)
Starting from £6500 new
Best for Professional sports, wildlife & high-resolution studio work
View A1 II
VS
Sony
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II (2023)
Starting from £2099 new
Best for Landscape, architecture & astrophotography
View Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Professional Sports, Wildlife & High-Resolution Studio Work — A1 II (2025): The most complete camera ever made — 50MP, 30fps, 8K, and the world's best EVF in a single flagship body.
Landscape, Architecture & Astrophotography — Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II (2023): Sony's best ultra-wide zoom ever — dramatically lighter than the original, with world-class sharpness and a stunning minimum focus distance.
Who should buy what
A1 II (2025)
- Professional sports and wildlife photographers who need 30fps, 50MP, and the best AF available
- Commercial and advertising photographers who demand 50MP resolution alongside pro video specs
- Photojournalists who need a single body capable of handling every assignment
- Sony system shooters ready to invest in the absolute best
Quick take: The sony fe 16-35mm f/2.8 gm ii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | A1 II (2025) | Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £6,500 | £2,099 |
| Sensor | 50.1MP full-frame stacked BSI CMOS | f/2.8 (constant max aperture) |
| Resolution | 50.1MP | — |
| Video | 8K/30p, 4K/120p 10-bit, 4K/240p super slow-motion | 22cm minimum focus distance |
| Autofocus | AI subject recognition — human, animal, bird, insect, vehicle, aircraft, train | XD linear motors — ultra-fast and near-silent |
| Stabilisation | 8.5-stop IBIS (with in-lens OSS) | None (relies on body IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 30fps electronic (with full AF/AE), 10fps mechanical | N/A |
| Battery Life | ~530 shots (CIPA) | N/A |
| Weight | 743g body only | 547g |
| Dimensions | 136.1 × 96.9 × 82.9mm | 87.8mm diameter × 111.5mm length |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.9× 9.44M-dot — the highest resolution EVF available | N/A |
| Screen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen, 2.1M dots | N/A |
| Mount | Sony E-mount (full-frame) | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II slots | N/A |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, Wi-Fi 6GHz, Bluetooth 5.3, HDMI full-size | N/A |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A1 II | Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II |
|---|---|---|
| Sports | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Portrait | — | |
| Landscape | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Travel | — | |
| Architecture | — |
More comparisons with A1 II
Camera family history