What is the FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II best used for?

Landscape, Architecture, Underwater.

How much does the FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II cost in the UK?

The FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II starts from £2099 in the UK, available across 5 retailers. Prices are tracked live on GearFrame.

Sony

Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II

Name: FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II
Brand: Sony
Availability: InStock

Sony's flagship ultra-wide zoom redesigned for the modern era — the FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II is dramatically lighter than its predecessor while delivering class-leading sharpness, a constant f/2.8 aperture, and Sony's XD linear motor autofocus. An essential lens for landscape, architecture, and astrophotography on any Sony full-frame camera.

GearFrame's Take

Sony's best ultra-wide zoom ever — dramatically lighter than the original, with world-class sharpness and a stunning minimum focus distance.

Starting from

£2099 new

Used from £1160 (eBay)

Average price across retailers: ~£2199

Available at 5 retailers

Check price at Wex Photo Video

✓ Available at 5 retailers 🔒 No signup needed 📦 UK stock only

RetailerPrice

New

eBay

Lowest Buy It Now · marketplace

£1368

Search eBay →

Wex Photo Video

£2099

was £2399

On Sale

Check on Wex Photo Video →

Clifton Cameras

£2299

Check on Clifton Cameras →

Amazon

—

Check on Amazon →

Used

eBay used

Lowest Buy It Now · marketplace

£1160

Search eBay →

Prices are synced live from UK retailers. Not every product will be stocked by every retailer; older models may only be available second hand.

Value & Depreciation

£2400

Launch price

→

£2099

Today

13%

Value drop

Over ~3 years, this camera has cost roughly £100/year to own (buy at launch price, sell today). That's one of the lower cost-per-year cameras in its class.

Core

Released

2023

Focal Length

16–35mm

Aperture

f/2.8

Compatible Mount

Sony FE (full-frame E-mount)

Dimensions

87.8mm diameter × 111.5mm length

Weight

547g

Weather Sealed

Yes

Optics & Focus

AF Motor

XD linear motors — ultra-fast and near-silent

Optical IS

None (relies on body IBIS)

Min. Focus Distance

22cm minimum focus distance

Select up to 2 cameras to compare against the FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II. It's always pinned as the baseline.

Select 1–3 cameras to compare

9 cameras compatible with the Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) mount.

GearScore™ — Suitability by Genre

Base score — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. Camera Match adjusts it for your skill level and priorities.

Portrait

7.1

Street

6.8

Travel

6.4

Wedding & Events

7.6

Vlogging & Video

7.4

Filmmaking

7.2

Documentary

7.3

Landscape

8.7

Casual

5.8

Food

6.2

Macro

6.0

Architecture

8.7

Astrophotography

7.6

Underwater

8.2

✅ Great For

🌄

Landscape 8.7 Strong on optical quality, focal length and weather sealing. 16mm captures epic wide scenes; corner-to-corner sharpness is essential for landscapes — this delivers it.

🏛️

Architecture 8.7 Strong on optical quality, focal length and filter compatibility. The constant f/2.8 and extreme sharpness make it the definitive architectural photography lens.

🤿

Underwater 8.2 Strong on focal length, optical quality and autofocus.

⚠️ Not Ideal For

📷

Casual 5.8 Held back by focal length and value for money.

📝 How suitability scores are calculated GearScore™ genre scores are calculated from this camera's verified specifications — autofocus, sensor, weight, weather sealing and more — weighted by what matters for each type of photography. Where a spec sheet misses something (e.g. a manual-focus rangefinder for street), we apply a documented editorial adjustment. Scores are not based on customer reviews. See our full methodology →