Sony has announced its new FE 16mm f/1.8 G lens. This full-frame Sony E-mount lens features a compact and lightweight form factor and a fast f/1.8 aperture for a wide-angle prime.
Key features
- FE 16mm f/1.8 G Lens:
- Full-Frame | f/1.8 Maximum Aperture
- Ultra-Wide Prime Lens
- Dual XD Linear AF Motors, Internal Focus
- Focus Hold Button, AF/MF Switch
- Physical Aperture Ring
- Compact & Lightweight Form Factor
Dual XD linear motors and internal AF allow speedy and efficient autofocusing performance that’s expected with a G Series lens. Not only does this lens support AF at 120 fps, but its low focus breathing and compact design are a great benefit for video capturing. The front lens element doesn’t protrude like most wide-angle optics, which allows users to equip 67mm screw-in filters.
A focus hold button, an AF/MF switch, and a physical aperture ring give you greater settings control right at your fingertips so you can quickly make adjustments
For video shooters, it features a manual aperture ring.
The 16mm F1.8 G optical construction includes two AA (Advanced Aspherical) elements to ensure razor-sharp resolution across all apertures. A combination of one Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass element and three ED elements effectively suppresses chromatic aberration, delivering edge-to-edge clarity. Additionally, Sony’s optimized coating minimizes flare and ghosting, resulting in stunning image quality even in challenging lighting conditions.
With a bright F1.8 maximum aperture and an 11-blade circular diaphragm, the 16mm F1.8 G produces beautiful, creamy bokeh that enhances subject separation. Its impressive close-up performance allows for a minimum focus distance of just 0.5 ft (0.15 m) with autofocus and a maximum magnification of 0.25x. When using manual focus, these values improve up to 0.43 ft (0.13 m) and 0.30x, enabling unique wide-angle compositions with extraordinary depth.
Price & Availability
The 16mm F1.8 G will be available in April 2025 for approximately $799.99 USD.
Competition
The main competition comes in the form of the Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 FE Lens (Sony E) which retails for $580 USD.
