A practical ultra-wide: Sony's new 16mm F1.8 prime
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission. Image: Sony Sony has announced the FE 16mm F1.8 G, a new ultra-wide, fast prime for full-frame E-mount cameras. The company's lineup hasn't exactly been short of wide-angle options, but Sony is pitching this as a happy medium between its existing 14mm and 20mm F1.8 options for those interested in videography, landscapes and more. The 16mm F1.8 is comprised of 15 elements in 12 groups, with 2 aspherical lenses and 3 ED elements. Its aperture has 11 blades, which Sony says should provide smooth, circular bokeh. It can focus on subjects at as close as 0.15m (5.9") away. The 16mm F1.8 packs several features into a relatively compact body At 304g, it's relatively lightweight, and it packs several features into a relatively compact body. The lens is 75mm long and has an aperture ring that can be locked and set to either clicked or clickless mode, as well as a customizable focus hold button. It accepts 67mm filters. The body is weather-sealed, and the front element has a fluorine coating to repel dirt, oils and water. Autofocus duties are handled by a pair of linear motors, and the lens is compatible with the a9 III's 120fps mode. Image: Sony Sony says its new lens will be more practical than the wider 14mm GM model, as it's much more affordable, weighs 156g (5.5oz) less and doesn't have a bulbous front element that prevents you from using screw-on filters. While the 16mm is similar in price to the 20mm model, its field of view gives you a bit more room when shooting large or close-up subjects or vlogging. Sony also says the 16mm will be much better than the 20mm when it comes to focus breathing, which could be a selling point for videographers. The FE 16mm F1.8 G will cost $800 and will be available starting in April. Buy now:Buy at B&H Photo We were able to spend some time with a pre-production copy of the lens and put together a sample gallery, which you can see below. DPReview sample gallery Please do not reproduce any of these images on a website or any newsletter/magazine without prior permission (see our copyright page). We make the originals available for private users to download to their own machines for personal examination or printing (in conjunction with this review); we do so in good faith, so please don't abuse it. Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Click here to open it in a new browser window / tab. Press Release: Sony Electronics Launches the Ultra-Wide 16mm F1.8 G Full-Frame Prime Lens Compact and Lightweight Design Meets Exceptional Optical Performance SAN DIEGO, Feb. 26, 2025 - Sony Electronics introduces the 16mm F1.8 G (SEL16F18G), a full-frame E-Mount lens that combines an ultra-wide 16mm focal length with a compact, lightweight build. Delivering high-resolution image quality, smooth bokeh, precise autofocus, and a bright F1.8 aperture, this lens is ideal in a variety of photo and video scenarios including landscapes, architecture, astrophotography, and more. "At Sony, we are committed to providing creators of all levels with a diverse range of lens options to meet their artistic and technical needs,” said Yang Cheng, Vice President of Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “The 16mm F1.8 G is now the widest prime lens in our G lens lineup and pairs seamlessly with all our latest full-frame Alpha series cameras, as well as the FX3 and FX30 cinema cameras. With 79 E-Mount lenses now available, we are continuing our mission to ensure photographers, filmmakers, and creators have a breadth of high-performing lens options to bring their visions to life." Ultra-Wide Performance with Stunning Bokeh The 16mm F1.8 G is engineered for breathtaking, dynamic perspectives with an ultra-wide 16mm focal length. Its advanced 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. Powerful Performance in a Compact Form Through advanced optical engineering, including Sony’s high-precision AA lens elements, the 16mm F1.8 G maintains ultra-wide capabilities in an impressively compact and portable form factor. Measuring just 3 x 3 in (73.8 x 75 mm) and weighing approxim
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| Image: Sony |
Sony has announced the FE 16mm F1.8 G, a new ultra-wide, fast prime for full-frame E-mount cameras. The company's lineup hasn't exactly been short of wide-angle options, but Sony is pitching this as a happy medium between its existing 14mm and 20mm F1.8 options for those interested in videography, landscapes and more.
The 16mm F1.8 is comprised of 15 elements in 12 groups, with 2 aspherical lenses and 3 ED elements. Its aperture has 11 blades, which Sony says should provide smooth, circular bokeh. It can focus on subjects at as close as 0.15m (5.9") away.
The 16mm F1.8 packs several features into a relatively compact body
At 304g, it's relatively lightweight, and it packs several features into a relatively compact body. The lens is 75mm long and has an aperture ring that can be locked and set to either clicked or clickless mode, as well as a customizable focus hold button. It accepts 67mm filters. The body is weather-sealed, and the front element has a fluorine coating to repel dirt, oils and water. Autofocus duties are handled by a pair of linear motors, and the lens is compatible with the a9 III's 120fps mode.
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| Image: Sony |
Sony says its new lens will be more practical than the wider 14mm GM model, as it's much more affordable, weighs 156g (5.5oz) less and doesn't have a bulbous front element that prevents you from using screw-on filters. While the 16mm is similar in price to the 20mm model, its field of view gives you a bit more room when shooting large or close-up subjects or vlogging. Sony also says the 16mm will be much better than the 20mm when it comes to focus breathing, which could be a selling point for videographers.
The FE 16mm F1.8 G will cost $800 and will be available starting in April.
We were able to spend some time with a pre-production copy of the lens and put together a sample gallery, which you can see below.
DPReview sample gallery
Please do not reproduce any of these images on a website or any newsletter/magazine without prior permission (see our copyright page). We make the originals available for private users to download to their own machines for personal examination or printing (in conjunction with this review); we do so in good faith, so please don't abuse it.
Press Release:
Sony Electronics Launches the Ultra-Wide 16mm F1.8 G Full-Frame Prime Lens
Compact and Lightweight Design Meets Exceptional Optical Performance
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 26, 2025 - Sony Electronics introduces the 16mm F1.8 G (SEL16F18G), a full-frame E-Mount lens that combines an ultra-wide 16mm focal length with a compact, lightweight build. Delivering high-resolution image quality, smooth bokeh, precise autofocus, and a bright F1.8 aperture, this lens is ideal in a variety of photo and video scenarios including landscapes, architecture, astrophotography, and more.
"At Sony, we are committed to providing creators of all levels with a diverse range of lens options to meet their artistic and technical needs,” said Yang Cheng, Vice President of Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “The 16mm F1.8 G is now the widest prime lens in our G lens lineup and pairs seamlessly with all our latest full-frame Alpha series cameras, as well as the FX3 and FX30 cinema cameras. With 79 E-Mount lenses now available, we are continuing our mission to ensure photographers, filmmakers, and creators have a breadth of high-performing lens options to bring their visions to life."
Ultra-Wide Performance with Stunning Bokeh
The 16mm F1.8 G is engineered for breathtaking, dynamic perspectives with an ultra-wide 16mm focal length. Its advanced 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.
Powerful Performance in a Compact Form
Through advanced optical engineering, including Sony’s high-precision AA lens elements, the 16mm F1.8 G maintains ultra-wide capabilities in an impressively compact and portable form factor. Measuring just 3 x 3 in (73.8 x 75 mm) and weighing approximately 10.8 oz (304 g), it offers exceptional mobility without compromising image quality. Designed for professionals on the go, this lens excels in capturing expansive landscapes and intricate architectural compositions with precision and clarity.
Fast and Accurate Autofocus
Equipped with two XD (Extreme Dynamic) linear motors, the 16mm F1.8 G delivers rapid, precise autofocus with remarkable tracking performance. A newly developed control algorithm enhances responsiveness while reducing delay and vibration, ensuring smooth, near-silent operation. This makes it an exceptional choice for both stills and video, especially when capturing fast-moving subjects.
Optimized for Stable Video
Designed with videographers in mind, the 16mm F1.8 G minimizes focus breathing for seamless focus transitions. It fully supports the breathing compensation function1 available in compatible Sony Alpha camera bodies and pairs effortlessly with in-body Active Mode2 image stabilization to ensure steady footage, even while shooting handheld or on the move. The lens also features a standard 67mm front filter thread, making it easy to integrate with a wide range of filter accessories. The compact design3 is ideal for gimbal use.
Intuitive Controls and Reliable Build
The 16mm F1.8 G offers comprehensive manual controls, including a responsive focus ring, customizable focus hold button, focus mode switch, aperture ring, and iris lock switch. The aperture ring allows for tactile exposure adjustments, while the click ON/OFF switch enhances flexibility for both photography and video applications. Built to ensure durability and reliability in challenging environments, the 16mm F1.8 G features a dust- and moisture-resistant design and a fluorine-coated front element.
Pricing and Availability
The 16mm F1.8 G will be available in April 2025 for approximately $799.99 USD and $1099.99 CAD. It will be sold directly through Sony and at a variety of Sony’s authorized dealers throughout North America.
A product video on the new 16mm F1.8 G can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/04fkjfK1tbQ
For detailed product information about the 16mm F1.8 G please visit: https://electronics.sony.com/imaging/lenses/full-frame-e-mount/p/sel16f18g
1 Camera compatibility info at: https://www.sony.net/dics/breathing/
Not available when shooting stills. Angle of view and image quality may change slightly when this function is [ON]. Effective compensation may not be achieved in all situations.
2 Compatible models only
3 Not guaranteed to be 100% dust and moisture proof
Sony FE 16mm F1.8 G Specifications:
| Principal specifications | |
|---|---|
| Lens type | Prime lens |
| Max Format size | 35mm FF |
| Focal length | 16 mm |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Lens mount | Sony E, Sony FE |
| Aperture | |
| Maximum aperture | F1.8 |
| Minimum aperture | F22 |
| Number of diaphragm blades | 11 |
| Optics | |
| Elements | 15 |
| Groups | 12 |
| Special elements / coatings | 2 asph, 3 ED, flourine coating |
| Focus | |
| Minimum focus | 0.13 m (5.12″) |
| Maximum magnification | 0.3× |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Motor type | Linear Motor |
| Focus method | Internal |
| Distance scale | No |
| DoF scale | No |
| Physical | |
| Weight | 304 g (0.67 lb) |
| Diameter | 74 mm (2.91″) |
| Length | 75 mm (2.95″) |
| Sealing | Yes |
| Colour | Black |
| Filter thread | 67 mm |
| Hood supplied | Yes |
| Tripod collar | No |
