Sony has announced the FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G Lens which they claim is the World’s lightest constant F4 wide-angle power zoom lens. This looks to be a good lens for anyone using a Sony FX3, a7S III, FX6, or FX9.
The FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G is being touted as a compact hybrid lens that offers refined image quality, reliable G lens rendering, and industry-leading AF performance that will appeal to both photo and video content creators.
The lens features a power zoom function and an independent aperture control ring. It will be interesting to see how well the power zoom works on this lens. On previous Sony Power Zoom lenses, I often found it hard to do slow consistent speed zooms. The minimum focusing distance is 11″ / 28cm at 16mm and 9.5″ / 24cm at 35mm.
The FE PZ 16-35MM F4 G weighs just 12oz / 353g, which makes it 30% lighter than the Vario-Tessar T* FE 16–35 mm F4 ZA OSS. The lens has physical dimensions of 3.17″ x 3.47″ / 80.5mm x 88.1mm) and a filter diameter of φ72mm. The lens also has a dust and moisture-resistant design as well as a fluorine front element coating.
The optical design of the FE PZ 16-35MM F4 G includes two AA (advanced aspherical) elements and a conventional aspherical element for an accurate image across the frame and 16-35mm zoom range. One Super ED (extra-low dispersion), and one ED glass element are claimed to control chromatic aberration, while one ED aspherical element controls both chromatic and spherical aberration. According to Sony, the use of AA elements in an advanced optical design is claimed to ensure excellent close-up performance throughout the zoom range. An optimized coating is said to effectively suppresses flare and ghosting.
The FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G utilizes two XD (Extreme Dynamic) Linear motors to control autofocus. According to Sony, whe using Sony’s flagship Alpha 1 body it is possible to maintain accurate focus while shooting stills continuously at up to 30fps (frames per second) and up to 120fps for video.
The FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G uses High-thrust XD Linear Motors, optimized optics, and responsive control to deliver precise AF performance while keeping the lens compact with internal focus.
The lens also utilizes the latest lens technology to reduce focus breathing as well as focus and axial shift when zooming. Focus, zoom, and aperture operation are also claimed to be extremely quiet, greatly reducing noise and vibration.
The lens features both a zoom ring and a zoom lever with variable zoom speed that allows users to do super-slow, fast, or constant-speed changes in focal length. Users can also customize the zoom ring direction and the zoom can also be controlled with the zoom lever on compatible cameras. Remote operation is also possible when using the Imaging Edge Mobile app.
Users can operate buttons and controls on compatible cameras or accessories for zoom control, including the GP-VPT2BT Bluetooth Grip and Remote Commander RMT-P1BT to remotely control zoom while the camera is mounted on a gimbal.
A Linear Response MF is claimed to offer high repeatability as the focus ring responds directly and repeatably to subtle control when focusing manually. The aperture ring includes a switch that can select aperture click stops or de-click operation for smooth iris control when shooting video.
Other features of the FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G include an Iris Lock Switch that can be engaged to prevent the aperture ring from being accidentally moved between the auto and F4 – F22 settings, as well as a customizable focus hold button.
Price & Availability
The FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G will be available in June 2022 for $1,200.00 USD and $1,500.00 CAD.
This is a pretty reasonable price for a lens like this and I imagine it is going to be quite a popular lens for users of Sony full-frame cameras.
