The 16-35mm f/4 ZA was the third zoom released for the Sony full-frame E-mount system in 2014 and completed the f/4 constant aperture series. At the time, the trio was the only option available if you wanted quality variable focal length lenses.
Four years later, Sony users have much more choice including a set of faster f/2.8 constant zooms. The latest to be realised was the 16-35mm which is part of the high quality G Master series.
Two wide-angle primes Sony APS-C E-mount users will be familiar with are the Sigma 19mm f/2.8 DN Art and the Sony E 20mm f/2.8. Both offer an angle of view that isn’t far off the 28mm equivalent, making them a popular choice amongst photographers who mostly shoot street with wide angle lenses, as well as those who enjoy landscape and cityscapes.
Because the two lenses are very similar on paper, we decided to conduct this side-by-side comparison to see how they actually perform out in the field on our a6300. We hope it helps you come to a decision about which one to buy!
The Sony FE 35mm f/2.8 was the very first native lens for Sony’s full-frame E-mount system along with the FE 55m f/1.8,. When used on full-frame bodies, it offers a moderate wide-angle whereas on APS-C bodies such as the a6300 or a6500, it becomes a standard lens with a 52.5mm equivalent field of view.
It was the only 35mm f/2.8 autofocus prime for the system until Samyang Rokinon released its own take on the lens in 2017: the AF 35mm f/2.8 FE.
Because the Sony version is approximately $500 more expensive than its more recent counterpart, we were curious to investigate how they compare in terms of overall performance and answer the all-important question: which should Sony FE users choose for their full-frame camera? After throughly testing both lenses side-by-side, we have all the answers here!
The Sony APS-C range has faced some neglect as of late due to much of Sony’s focus being funnelled into lens development for the extremely popular full-frame FE system. This is why the announcement of the Sigma 16mm f/1.4, with its 24mm equivalent field of view and fast maximum aperture, was such breath of fresh air for E-mount users.
The Sigma isn’t the first 16mm lens for Sony APS-C however.* In fact, one of the oldest primes for the system is the E 16mm f/2.8, an inexpensive pancake lens haunted by something of a mixed reputation.
Back in early 2016, Mathieu spent two very enjoyable weeks in Wales and London using the Zeiss Loxia 21mm f/2.8, the company’s third manual focus E-mount lens. Just before we had to send the lens back, he said something that he doesn’t often say about the gear we test:
“If I stopped reviewing gear today, the Loxia 21mm is the first lens I’d want in my personal collection.”
Our positive experience with the Loxia was the main reason for our curiosity about the Tokina Firin 20mm f/2, which we first saw last year at Photokina. Despite having very similar fields of view, the Firin benefits from a marginally faster aperture and currently costs around $650 less than the Zeiss equivalent.