New Sony Wide Zoom Lens at $1,198: Available This April

This new model shares many of the same features with its counterpart, excluding the field of view.

Features and Design

The FE 16-25mm f/2.8 G lens is designed to be both compact and affordable, without compromising on optical or mechanical quality. It offers fast f/2.8 aperture and is equipped with advanced features such as a declickable aperture ring, a linear response manual focus ring, a custom button, and an AF/MF switch. The lens is relatively lightweight at 409 grams, making it suitable for use with smaller gimbals or tripods, and has a common filter diameter of 67mm. Sony has incorporated dual linear focus motors in the design.

Optical Performance

Sony has integrated three Extra-low Dispersion (ED) and four aspherical elements in the lens, including one ED aspherical glass, to reduce distortions and aberrations. The lens also features 11 rounded aperture blades, ensuring a circular bokeh effect at all aperture settings. The minimum focus distance is 18 cm, which allows for significant perspective manipulations while maintaining a compact form factor.

Target Audience

The FE 16-25mm f/2.8 G is aimed at a diverse audience, including professionals and enthusiasts involved in wedding, documentary, landscape, and street photography. Its combination of a fast aperture, robust build, and affordability makes it a versatile choice for various photographic needs.

Competition

This lens enters a market segment that has become increasingly competitive with offerings from Tamron and SIGMA. Specifically, SIGMA’s 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN and Tamron’s 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD provide similar size and weight at lower price points of approximately $900 and $800, respectively. Although these lenses may have slight disadvantages in control and build quality, their lower costs make them attractive alternatives. Tamron also offers a 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD, which provides a wider coverage potentially making other lenses less essential.

Pricing and Availability

The Sony FE 16-25mm f/2.8 G is priced at $1,198 in the United States and €1,400 in Europe. It will be available for purchase starting April 22nd.

About Sony

Sony Group Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a multinational conglomerate known for its extensive range of consumer electronics, professional and industrial devices. It designs, develops, and sells a variety of products including gaming systems, music and video equipment, and digital imaging devices. Additionally, Sony is involved in the entertainment industry with its motion pictures, music production, and online services. Established in 1946, the company was formerly known as Sony Corporation before rebranding in 2021(Sony)

News source: https://pro.sony/en_CZ/