Sony FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G lens

Sony FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G lens

Sony has announced new versions of its lenses and now it's time for an alternative to the Zeiss 16-35mm F4 lens. The PZ in the lens' name stands for Power Zoom , meaning that zooming is possible with a motor, like on video cameras. The button allows you to precisely control the zoom speed. This allows you to zoom smoothly even during video recording. Thanks to the great image quality, it works well for both landscape photography and video production.

The Sony 16-35mm is also completely new in other respects, the optical structure and AF speed have been updated to the present day.

• Compact size and weighs only 353g
• PowerZoom, i.e. zooming is possible smoothly using a motor
• There is also a traditional zoom ring and on the FX3 camera, zooming is also done with the camera switch.
• Focus breathing minimized and works in conjunction with the A7 IV's reduction feature
  
• Adjustable aperture ring and AF L button
• Weatherproof construction

Sony's F4 zooms offer good image quality in a more compact size and the new 16-35mm is no exception. So even though the materials talk a lot about video shooting, this works great as a wide-angle in all photography situations. The optical structure is completely new, several special lenses are used. Distortion has been minimized and the image sharpness is promised to be in order from edge to edge right at full aperture.

In addition, special attention has been paid to the image quality at different settings, and Sony says that performance remains consistent at different focal lengths and focusing distances.

It uses two XD focus motors, meaning the PZ 16-35mm can also keep up with new Sony SLR cameras like the A7 IV and A1 without being a performance bottleneck.

Size and usability

The Sony FE PZ 16-35mm F/4 is a mechanically reliable package. The focal length change and focus are handled internally - the lens is always the same size.

The lens has a bunch of buttons. There are Focus hold buttons for locking focus or activating EyeAF for eye focus. In addition to the focus ring, there is a zoom ring that works on the zoom-by-wire principle, meaning it controls the operation of the motor.

Aperture can be adjusted directly from the lens aperture ring, clicks between aperture values can be turned off for video shooting, and there is an A mode where the aperture is adjusted using the controls on the body and an aperture lock button.

Sony FE 16-35mm PZ in video shooting

Sony has gained a foothold in video production with the A7S and Cinema series cameras, and this group is what they aim to serve when designing new lenses. Focus breathing, i.e. the small but annoying change in focal length when focusing, has been minimized and this is compatible with the Sony A7 IV's software focus breathing removal.

And this lens achieves impressive focus tracking as the closest focusing distance is only 24cm. The focus ring behaves linearly, meaning that using follow focus systems is natural.

The Sony 16-35mm lens' number one feature for videographers, however, is the electric Power Zoom. Camcorder-style zooming is done smoothly and professionally directly from the lens switch. The lens also has a zoom ring, but the electric zoom also works via the camera switch on compatible cameras like the Sony FX3.

A soft protective bag and lens hood are included. The Sony FE 16-35mm is weather-resistant.

Specifications

• Compatibility: Sony FE mount
• Focal length range: 16-35mm (cinema equivalent on APS-C cameras 24-52.5mm)
• Aperture: f/4 (min. f/22)
• Optical construction: 13 elements in 12 groups, 7 rounded diaphragm blades
• Closest focusing distance: 24cm
• Filter thread: 72mm
• Size: 80.5 x 88.1mm
  
• Weight: 353g

Sales package contents:

• Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G / SELP1635G Lens
• Sony ALC-F72S 72mm lens cap
• Sony ALC-R1EM Rear Lens Cap
• ALC-SH172 Lens Hood
• Carrying bag