What’s Changed? The Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II marks a substantial update to its predecessor, the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM. It has improved control and video capabilities; a faster four-motor autofocus system; a new, dedicated aperture ring that you can de-click; and a revised optical design.

Full-Frame E-Mount. As a part of the FE line of lenses, the FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II is designed for Sony full-frame cameras. It’s also fully compatible with APS-C cameras, on which it’ll provide a 24-52.5mm equivalent focal length.

Ultra-Wide Zoom. When used on a full-frame camera, the FE 16-35 GM II’s zoom range is wide. Like really wide. Its field of view ranges from 107° at its widest to 63° at the long end, which means it’s perfect for sweeping cityscapes, landscapes, and architectural shooting. The fast f/2.8 aperture offers shallow depth-of-field capability and lets you shoot in low light.

Advanced Optical Design. The FE 16-35 GM II features five aspherical elements and two extra-low dispersion elements—including three “XA” extreme aspherical elements and one Super ED element—for minimizing chromatic aberrations and distortion throughout the zoom range, and for producing clear, high-contrast images. The lens’s rounded eleven-blade aperture diaphragm gives images smooth out-of-focus areas when you desire a shallow depth of field.

Optimized for Video. The Mark II has a few updates that are particularly suited to video shooters’ needs. It’s designed to minimize focus breathing, focus shift, and axial shift to prevent unintended movements and angle-of-view variations so you’re shooting the compositions you want without compromise, and it supports the Breathing Compensation feature found in many Alpha and cine-line cameras. The newly developed aperture-drive system is particularly fast and quiet, while the new de-clickable aperture ring has an iris lock.

XD Linear Motor Autofocus System. This improved internal focusing system uses four Extreme Dynamic Linear Motors to provide fast, nearly silent, and highly accurate autofocus performance that’s great for still and video use. This autofocus system is up to four times faster than the one found in the original 16-35. You also get two programmable focus-hold buttons and an AF/MF switch that help tailor focusing to your shooting needs. Finally, there’s a function ring with Preset Focus and Function settings.

G-Master Series Quality. The GM series is Sony’s premium lens offering. What sets it apart from other Sony lenses is an emphasis on an extremely high resolving power of fifty lines per mm, out-of-focus “bokeh” quality, and a robust, weather-sealed body.