Whispers from the rumor mill are heating up around Sony’s impending FE 16-28mm F2 GM, a constant-aperture ultra-wide zoom that’s set to complete the F2 zoom trinity alongside the 28-70mm and 50-150mm GM lenses.
According to fresh leaks from SonyAlphaRumors on November 29, 2025, this lens could drop as early as December 2—potentially bundled with the A7 V announcement. It targets landscape, architecture, and vlogging pros who crave speed without the bulk of primes.
In an E-mount ecosystem where Tamron’s 17-28mm F2.8 punches above its weight, the F2 GM would signal Sony’s aggressive push for premium glass, undercutting third-party value while delivering G Master edge performance at a rumored $2,999 price tag.
Optical Design
While full specs are still trickling out, the lens is tipped to pack a complex optical formula:
- Likely 18 elements in 13 groups
- Multiple XA asphericals
- Super ED glass
- Nano AR II coatings
This design aims to tame distortion and flare across the 107°–75° field of view.
The constant F2 aperture promises creamy bokeh for environmental portraits or astrophotography, with a minimum focus distance around 0.19m yielding 0.3x magnification for close-ups without extension.
Internal zooming should preserve balance on gimbals, and the 77mm filter thread (rumored) enables ND swaps for long exposures.
Autofocus and Handling
Autofocus rumors point to:
- Four XD linear motors for silent, snappy performance
- Full compatibility with eye detection on A1 II or A7R V bodies
- De-clickable aperture rings for smooth video pulls with minimal breathing
Weather sealing gets the GM treatment: dust, splash, and a fluorine-coated front element for rugged shoots.
Weight estimates hover at 680g, a 20% reduction from the F2.8 16-35mm GM II, making it gimbal-friendly without sacrificing speed.
Market Position
Sony’s F2 zoom offensive feels like a direct response to Canon’s RF 15-35mm F2.8 and Nikon’s Z 14-24mm F2.8.
The constant F2 edge could lure hybrid creators away from variable-aperture rivals. If priced at $2,999 as leaked, it slots above Tamron’s $899 bargain but below Sony’s $2,200 F2.8 GM, potentially dominating shelves by mid-2026.
Early buzz suggests it’ll outresolve the Tamron in corners wide open, though without hands-on, the “world’s fastest ultra-wide zoom” claim remains hype until proven.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Lens Mount | Sony E-mount |
| Format | Full-frame |
| Focal Length | 16-28mm |
| Maximum Aperture | F2 constant |
| Optical Construction | Rumored 18 elements in 13 groups (multiple XA, Super ED, aspherical) |
| Autofocus Type | 4x XD linear motors |
| Minimum Focus Distance | ~0.19m |
| Maximum Magnification | ~0.3x |
| Filter Thread | 77mm (speculated) |
| Dimensions | ~86mm x 120mm (estimated) |
| Weight | ~680g |
| Weather Sealing | Dust- and moisture-resistant |
Expected to retail around $2,999, with announcement possibly December 2, 2025, and availability in Q1 2026.