San Diego, CA—The Sony FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G is dubbed “the world’s lightest full-frame, wide-angle power zoom lens with a constant f/4 aperture.” The hybrid lens offers G lens rendering and AF (autofocus) performance in a compact body to appeal to both photo and video content creators.
Moreover, an internal focus and internal zoom design keep the lens compact. It weighs 12 ounces and measures 3.2×3.5 inches with a φ72mm filter diameter.
“The needs of our community are our top priority. As the content creation landscape continues to evolve and the worlds of still imaging and video continue to merge, we are constantly developing new products to meet this growing demand for hybrid content creators,” said Yang Cheng, vice president, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc.
“With an advanced feature set and unmatched portability and flexibility, The FE PZ 16–35MM f/4 G is perfectly designed to meet these evolving needs and ensure that today’s creators can realize their full vision.”
Sony FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G Features
The lens is a solution from video production and vlogging to street and landscape photography. Moreover, it offers various hybrid features: high resolution; beautiful bokeh; as well as fast, precise AF. In addition, its video features include a power zoom function, while an independent aperture control ring enables more creative control.
The lens’s optical path includes two AA (advanced aspherical) elements as well as a conventional aspherical element for an accurate image across the frame and zoom range. What’s more, one super ED (extra-low dispersion) and one ED glass element control chromatic aberration; further, an ED aspherical element controls both chromatic and spherical aberration.
The AA elements also ensure close-up performance throughout the zoom range. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 11 inches at 16mm and 9.5 inches at 35mm, with a maximum magnification of 0.23x. In addition, an optimized coating suppresses flare and ghosting for well-defined images.
Further, a circular aperture and carefully designed control of spherical aberration work to deliver smooth, deep full-frame bokeh for visual impact.
The FE PZ 16–35mm f/4 G also utilizes two XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors to control autofocus. They provide fast, smooth, quiet operation. Moreover, on Sony’s Alpha 1 body, it’s possible to maintain focus while shooting still bursts at 30 frames per sec and up to 120 fps in movie mode.
And as focus is especially critical when shooting slow motion 4K at 120 fps or 8K movies, the lens works with Alpha cameras to focus and silently track even fast-moving subjects.
Video Benefits
Sony specifically designed the lens for today’s video needs. It features the latest technology to reduce focus breathing as well as focus and axial shift when zooming to ensure high-quality video is captured. Focus, zoom and aperture operation are also quiet; thus, it reduces noise and vibration that can interfere with movie recording.
What’s more, for the first time in a Sony Alpha lens, the FE PZ 16–35mm f/4 G uses four XD linear motors for the power zoom function, in addition to the two XD linear motors used for focus.
The newly developed electronic power zoom system provides advanced control with the response of non-powered manual zoom. It has both a zoom ring and a zoom lever with variable zoom speed; they make it easier to execute super-slow, fast or constant-speed change in the focal length. 
Power zoom also minimizes camera shake that can occur when operating a traditional zoom ring. Further, users can customize the zoom ring direction to suit shooting conditions. They can also control zoom with the zoom lever on compatible cameras.
As an added benefit, users can operate buttons and controls on compatible cameras or accessories for convenient zoom control. They can use the GP-VPT2BT Bluetooth grip and remote commander RMT-P1BT to remotely control zoom while the camera is mounted on a gimbal.
Finally, linear response MF helps ensure repeatability as the focus ring responds directly to subtle control when focusing manually. An aperture ring also makes manual aperture/iris control direct and easy. The aperture ring includes a switch to select aperture click stops for photography; or users can select de-click operation for iris control while recording video. Plus, an iris lock switch prevents the aperture ring from accidentally moving between the auto and f/4–22 settings and the customizable focus hold button for convenient control.
Pricing & Availability
The lens has a dust/moisture-resistant body as well as a fluorine front element coating to facilitate cleaning. The Sony FE PZ 16–35mm f/4 G will reach retail in June 2022 with a suggested retail price of $1,199.99.
