Vast-angle zoom lenses make up one-third of the ‘Holy Trinity’ lens lineup and show endlessly helpful for a number of functions, together with landscapes, structure and astrophotography. Usually, a typical 24-70mm zoom lens is not fairly vast sufficient to shoot a selected scene, so having a wide-angle lens in your package bag helps you to fill the hole under 24mm.
Vast-angle lenses are favored in astrophotography as a result of they seize a wider portion of the sky and let extra gentle in than normal and telephoto lenses sometimes do (which, if you’re capturing at the hours of darkness, is essential). On the entire, prime lenses are thought-about the most effective lenses for astrophotography attributable to their wider apertures, however you possibly can fairly simply use among the finest zoom lenses at f/2.8 to get some implausible astro photographs. Nevertheless, the benefit of utilizing a zoom lens over a first-rate lens is the flexibility of adjusting the focal size to shoot completely different types.
The Sony vs Canon debate is ongoing, and in the long run, it typically comes down to private choice. Nonetheless, we might be trying on the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II and the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM, evaluating their specs and the way we discovered their efficiency once we examined them each. For those who’ve already purchased into both system, then the selection might be a straightforward one, however for any customers trying to spend money on their first full-frame digital camera and lens system or fascinated with switching from one other model, maintain studying to see how these two lenses evaluate in opposition to each other.
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II
Sony’s up to date ‘holy trinity’ normal zoom has improved on what was already a implausible lens, making it a must-buy for any Sony photographer.
Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM
Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM
The Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM lens is crazy-sharp and makes taking astro pictures even simpler due to its easy design and 5 stops of picture stabilization.
Specs
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II | Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM |
|---|---|---|
| Date first launched | September 2023 | August 2019 |
| RRP on launch | $2299.99 | $2299.99 |
| Kind | Full body vast angle zoom | Full body vast angle zoom |
| Focal Size | 16-35mm | 15-35mm |
| Aperture | Fixed f/2.8 | Fixed f/2.8 |
| Lens mount | Sony E | Canon RF |
| Picture stabilization | None | 5 stops normal, as much as 8 stops with a suitable Canon RF digital camera physique |
| Aperture ring | Sure | No |
| Minimal focusing distance | 0.73 ft / 0.22 m | 0.92 ft / 0.28m |
| Most magnification | 0.32x | 0.21x |
| Aperture blades | 11 | 9 |
| Filter thread | 82mm | 82mm |
| Climate sealed | Sure | Sure |
| Weight | 1 lb 3 oz / 547g | 1.85 lbs / 840g |
| Dimensions | 3.45 x 4.39-inches / 87.8 x 111.5mm | 3.48 x 5.25-inches / 88 x 133.4mm |
Similarities
- They had been the identical worth on launch, however the Canon is barely cheaper attributable to its age.
- Each lenses have a relentless f/2.8 aperture.
- Each lenses have an 82mm filter thread.
- Each lenses are weather-sealed.
Variations
- The Canon is a large 4 years older than the Sony.
- The Sony is 21.9mm shorter and 293g lighter than the Canon.
- The Canon has an additional millimeter of focal size on the broader finish.
- The Canon has as much as 8 stops of picture stabilization — the Sony does not have any in any respect.
- The Sony has a barely shorter minimal focusing distance and better magnification.
- The Sony has 11 aperture blades, the Canon solely has 9.
Causes to purchase Sony
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Again in September 2023, Sony launched this up to date model of their 16-35mm f/2.8 GM lens with an entire host of upgrades and new options. The unique model got here out manner again in 2017, so it was lengthy because of the Mark II remedy. When paired with among the finest mirrorless cameras, this lens is a power to be reckoned with.
One of many extra enticing traits the Sony lens has over the Canon is the scale and weight distinction. The Sony is 35% lighter than the Canon with a weight distinction of 293g, and it is 21.9mm shorter, making it far more pleasing to make use of for longer durations with out getting arm or neckache. And when you’re touring or taking it with you as half of a giant lens lineup, the whole weight of all of your gear provides up, so having lighter lenses is an enormous plus. In our full Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II overview, we talked about that we had been shocked by how light-weight it was for such a good-quality lens.
We additionally actually preferred the addition of the clickable aperture ring on the lens. It is a helpful function when you’re utilizing a digital camera physique that solely has two management dials. You possibly can set these to ISO and shutter velocity after which change the aperture on the lens itself. This prevents you from losing time wading by means of the menus if you wish to change settings rapidly.
The Sony additionally has extra aperture blades than the Canon, that means doubtlessly rounder and smoother bokeh. It additionally has a decrease minimal focusing distance and better magnification, which permits for higher close-up photographs. We had been very impressed with the picture high quality — all our pictures had been pin-sharp and in focus after testing completely different apertures at a variety of focal lengths. We solely observed a slight drop-off in sharpness on the corners when utilizing the decrease apertures (which is to be anticipated).
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We thought it dealt with astrophotography very nicely and we barely observed any coma or barrelling within the pictures. Devoted astro shooters would seemingly go for a first-rate lens, however for extra common photographers who solely do the occasional little bit of astro, we predict the Sony FE 16.35mm f/2.8 GM II will serve you nicely. We did not embrace it in our greatest lenses for astrophotography information as a result of in terms of wide-angle zoom lenses, we predict the Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM might be barely higher suited to astro capturing — though additionally it is costlier.
Causes to purchase Canon
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When evaluating the 2 lenses, the Canon lens has three important benefits over the Sony, however how related these variations are will depend on your capturing setup and magnificence.
The primary is that the Canon has a typical 5 stops of picture stabilization and as much as 8 when paired with a suitable Canon digital camera physique. In distinction, the Sony lens does not have any picture stabilization in any respect. We are able to perceive why, because it’s an already costly lens and most Sony cameras have in-body picture stabilization, however 9 instances out of ten, it is at all times good to have picture stabilization within the lens as nicely, particularly if you find yourself utilizing a digital camera physique that does not have any picture stabilization. For those who do a whole lot of video or handheld capturing and picture stabilization is vital to you, the Canon lens would be the extra enticing possibility right here.
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Throughout our Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM overview, we cherished its glossy and easy design, which aids in its portability, although it is bigger and heavier than the Sony. We predict the Canon is definitely ‘prettier’ than the Sony, however that is purely a private opinion.
One other benefit of the Canon is an additional 1mm focal size on the wider finish. This maybe will not be wildly noticeable typically, nevertheless it might show useful in astrophotography photographs the place it is advisable let as a lot gentle by means of as doable. Utilizing the five hundred rule, this additional 1mm means you possibly can set your shutter velocity for a couple of seconds longer than with the Sony.
Lastly, the Canon can be barely cheaper. It isn’t essentially the most important worth distinction, however we do not know anybody who would flip down the possibility to save lots of $200. It appears to have stood the take a look at of time and held its worth exceptionally nicely, a testomony to its total high quality and efficiency even at over 4 years outdated. We named it the most effective Canon RF lens in our greatest lenses for astrophotography information, so it is definitely an funding, however we predict it is definitely worth the cash.
Verdict
| Winner | 2nd place |
|---|---|
| Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II | Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM |
| ★★★★½ | ★★★★½ |
| The Sony specs are simply that bit higher. | Stood the take a look at of time, however newer fashions are beginning to eclipse it. |
It was a really shut name between two distinctive lenses and never the fairest combat because of the age distinction. We predict if Canon had launched their 15-35mm f/2.8 lens similtaneously the Sony 16.35mm f/2.8 and managed to shave off a few of the weight and enhance its specs ever so barely in step with the Sony, the result might’ve gone the opposite manner. Who is aware of—possibly Canon will come out with a Mark II sometime.
Whereas the Canon has some notable benefits over the Sony, the Sony lens has extra benefits than the Canon does concerning total practicality and day-to-day use.
