Sony PZ 16-35mm f/4 Lens Review: Small & Fully Loaded

Review of the Sony PZ 16-35mm f/4 G lens. Discussing the build, focus, image quality, and zoom functionality of this new power zoom lens.
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Table of Contents:
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0:00 - Intro & Disclosure
0:48 - Manual Focusing
1:09 - Zoom Function
2:27 - Buttons & Switches
3:22 - Size & Weight
4:01 - Parfocal
4:24 - Zoom Demo
5:09 - Focal Length Display
5:38 - Focus Breathing
5:54 - Minimum Focus Distance
6:27 - Autofocus
7:34 - Distortion & Lens Corrections
7:53 - Sharpness Comparison
8:11 - Color
8:40 - Stabilization
9:30 - Chromatic Aberration
10:29 - Close Focusing
11:20 - Bokeh
12:22 - Flare & Sunstars
13:33 - Talking Head Test
14:18 - Note on Teleprompters
15:03 - Front Filter Diameter
15:26 - Thanks to Storyblocks
16:15 - Final Thoughts & Value
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#sonyalpha #lensreview #powerzoom

[@jacksnapsband]

Literally the only video I had planned on watching with the release of this lens

[@impatrickt]

I can finally do the power zoom sitcom intro for my channel ive always wanted

[@benjhaisch]

Zooms are coming back

[@JohnGlasscock]

Finally, a compact PZ for full frame 🙌🏻 Can't wait to get this for my FX3

[@__Mr.White__]

Absolute unusable with this horrible HORRIBLE distortion. Why hasn't he mentioned that? kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZmmpXh9fqekiJo

[@leedahoney]

You have the BEST, most informative, and non-biased review videos ever. Thank you, thank you, thank youu🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@RomaFedorov]

The new 16-35 F4 looks great. Thanks for all the detailed info. I like how you're a bit more relaxed and calm on this episode 😀

[@herbivorouscyborg2398]

Your videos are so helpful and informative. I love the thoroughness. Other people's videos often don't cover the details I want to know. Your videos always do. Thank you.

[@brianmckeever5280]

Good to see you having some fun!

[@LittleMountainLife]

Appreciate the thorough review.

[@mlegrand]

Great video Gerald! Hope you bring back the studio tours some day. Hope all is well with you and the family! 👍

[@shaditips]

Good work 👏 Which microphone do you use in this video, and wich sound devices

[@DarkPa1adin]

I think he uses Sennheiser MKH 50

[@YosepSugiarto]

Thx for reviewing this, i 've been looking for this lens review! looks a good addition for those who are looking for 16-35mm... so light and pretty sharp!

[@MalamSeram]

Thanks for the in-depth review Gerald. Help me in making my decision.

[@geraldundone]

Appreciate it! :)

[@Folly_Inds]

I liked how casual this evaluation felt. it was nice to see the studio there.

[@DJJordanLee]

What's the better purchase this or the 2.8 Gmaster?

[@RujenMaharjan]

I could listen to Gerald talk all day.

[@stevesvanderpool8653]

Great review!

[@tombuck]

Parfocal is pretty sweet. Almost as sweet as that built in rail gun 👍

[@chrisbrockhurst]

everyone needs a rail gun.

[@DarkPa1adin]

will you be using this lens?

[@4Dcruz]

Awesome review as always! I'll definitely be interested when they come out with a longer PZ lens. Also glad to see and hear the MKH50 instead of a 416... not sure why shotguns became so popular on youtube

[@inviaggiocoltubo]

Thank you Gerald for this review, don't think we really like the "by wire" choice on the zoom, but this lens is really lighter than its older sister, which is always a plus when travelling. Question regarding the focus breathing (sorry if this is off-topic from this video, but when you mentioned it at 5:58 it came up): we recently watched Jungle Cruise (with The Rock) and we noticed a very present focus breathing in some scenes. Do you think that's because they used specific lens or they add it in post (is it possible?) for some reason?

[@blofeldr]

l hope Sony updates their 24-105mm f4 with this power zoom functionality. Thanks for the review!

[@gregzlab]

great to know that zoom resets to 16mm when powering off. Thanks Gerald for that, once again, great review.

[@UniverseMz]

Am trying this any time from now.

[@mrshaheedmalik]

That zoom out shot is wild!

[@REVIEWSONTHERUN]

Interesting! Nice video. ✌️

[@duoco_media]

You didn't even know you needed one of these... but now you know you needed one of these

[@jinny7819]

With the A7IV and breathing compensation on, my video was bouncing in and out on zoom. I had to turn off breathing compensation, but I had it set by default on my settings. Great lens! I love carrying it with the Tamron 35-150 F2-2.8.

[@armando.visuals]

Hi quick question 🙋🏻‍♂️ I read you have this lens. Does it go back to 16mm every tjme you turn the camera off?

[@jinny7819]

@@armando.visuals After doing a quick test, mine remembers the last mm set.

[@armando.visuals]

@@jinny7819 thank you!

[@PaulJoy]

Looks like a nice lens for gimbal work where you could control zoom from the gimbal and internal zoom. It definitely lacks the magic of your normal 35mm shot though! Thanks for the review Gerald, great as always.

[@__Mr.White__]

Absolute unusable with this horrible HORRIBLE distortion. Why hasn't he mentioned that? kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZmmpXh9fqekiJo

[@welcti]

This seems to be a really great lens to pair with the A7C. I could see putting this on the A7C and just not really ever taking it off. Great for gimbal work between the weight and ability to externally control the zoom, also one of very few zoom lenses that has an aperture ring - which makes up for the lack of a front dial on the A7C. Parfocal, minimal focus breathing, so great for video. And an internal zoom, so it shouldn't get as dirty. The main complaint is going to be that it's an F4. But I think that's a great tradeoff. This lens would be a lot bigger, heavier, and more expensive if it was a 2.8 or faster.

[@F1REBEARD]

I have the 20mm 1.8G, and for vlogging and travel videos I still think I'll keep that. I'm using clear image zoom that literally makes this a 30mm lens, and I don't need wider than 20mm. The 1.8 is too good to let go, close focusing distance and sharpness is also better. But it's definitely a good step in the right direction, power zoom is an awesome technology.

[@MariusXMelisa]

The same bro. I can t leave the 1.8...

[@Pharesm]

That is useful to know! Power zoom, not extending, great, even for steadycam. Given how short it is, I'm not too worried about OSS. But at this point, having the 24mm GM and planning to buy the 14mm GM, I'd probably get more use out of Sony's 24-105mm with the OSS for video...?

[@jmone3559]

As a FX6 user, the release of another 16-35 without OSS (like the C lens) is not great. Even though I want the PZ and better optics, issues with producing shaky handheld video is worse. Looks like I'll be keeping the Zeiss for now (and using Clear Image Zoom where required after getting a manual framing from the zoom ring).

[@JonniArmani]

I’m pulling the trigger in this bad boy- 🙌🙌👊💥

[@user-ur2nx1hi8w]

Looking forward the new 16-35 GM II

[@BarttRoman]

I don't own a sony camera, I have no intention to get one of this lens, I don't even understand much about full frame world, but I still love watching your videos man. The kind of break down you do is unique

[@robertpomfret561]

Waiting for the announcement of the GM 24-70 mk2 !!!

[@nickplatzer65]

Great Review as always. Could you test it also with the DJI 4D? It would be amazing if you could control the power zoom with the remote monitor.

[@Weird_Quests]

Can't wait to check it out! :D Are you using DaVinci these days for editing, or sticking with Premiere?

[@ddeml]

I think both parfocality and focus breathe is compensated by wire because the lens controls both zoom and focus by wire. I also think that this is the key for being so compact. However the motors and electronics need room. More that F4 may increase the diameter beyond practicality?

[@KOKOBC]

Wow the thing’s lighter than the 20mm 1.8, that’s insane. Also how it’s all internal zoom and it’s powered was also unexpected for me. I can imagine this lens being very popular, I’m sold.

[@__Mr.White__]

Absolute unusable with this horrible HORRIBLE distortion. Why hasn't he mentioned that? kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZmmpXh9fqekiJo

[@ResizeFilms]

Interesting G lens for gimbal work as the zoom won’t affect the balance, great engineering from Sony. Would love to see a fast f/2.8 G Master version coming.

[@alpenfoxvideo7255]

there is already! SONY FE C 16-35MM T3.1 G which uses the standard GM lens optics

[@zentiremusic123]

i like the new zoom function

[@mylzq]

Sony has an 18-105mm f.4 for APSC that is built the same. It came out 5 years ago

[@davidsteege4119]

Great video! How is the distortion, especially at the wide end?

[@Nickporter17]

Gerald's pop in - pop out test is giving me big Paul Dano The Riddler vibes!!

[@bondgabebond4907]

Gerald, have you used the APS-C 18-105 zoom. It's also a PZ lens with focus and zoom by wire. I have this lens and it is a joy to use. It also has OSS.

[@marc_likes_stuff]

great review. i saw a used zeiss for around $600. however, there was something special about the sony pz, so i bought that one instead for several hundred more. it was love at first sight lol.

[@marinrealestatephotography]

My concern with the lack of OSS would be the IBIS system causing corner warping at the wide end.

[@BlakeMadsen]

Seems like a perfect fit for the new Sony FR7!

[@skymakai]

Gotta say, this is a nice addition for gimbal and drone users. But, I was hoping for a 16-35 with OSS to replace the Zeiss. I wonder if focus breathing compensation is coming all these new lightweight lenses, and for the A7SIII/FX3.

[@willmannering]

The FX6 getting it is proof there's no technical limitation. It makes no sense for Sony to have it in the a7IV and not in their other lineup.

[@jayl24]

Thank you for the video! Do you think this lens does an ok job for astronomical photography?

[@MaxRovensky]

3:32 "Railgun zoom system" sounds like some device from The Expanse 😃

[@ki-ds-shall2241]

Gerald DONE!!!!

[@Hondanovich]

Look's like perfect lens for zv-e10

[@scampifingers]

I would LOVE to see this in a f2.8 with a 67mm filter thread to match 20, 24 & 35mm G / GM lenses

[@michaelroach3553]

17:00 thank you for comparing to the zeiss! I got mine used for $500, so yeah, I'd need HUGE improvements to make it worth trading up lol

[@nightdonutstudio]

Go to see Sony go to the direction makes their new lens lighter still has great build and feature. I am waiting for other f2.8 zoom lens to be updated.

[@__Mr.White__]

Absolute unusable with this horrible HORRIBLE distortion. Why hasn't he mentioned that? kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZmmpXh9fqekiJo

[@davidkahler9390]

I asked Sony awhile back about zoom resetting on power off for a different PZ lens. They said it wasn't possible to change that. Huge oversight IMO, and should be fixable in firmware.

[@angyuexiangaaron]

I do think it is a turn off as well.

[@legendp2011]

seems like a really good lens for glide-cam use. no weight shifting

[@tubeszub4156]

It has weight shifting. Elements are moving inside the body of the lens

[@__Mr.White__]

Absolute unusable with this horrible HORRIBLE distortion. Why hasn't he mentioned that? kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZmmpXh9fqekiJo

[@SCHAUDENLUCAS]

@@tubeszub4156 But it should be very minor. Do you think it is still an issue with glidecam or similar products?

[@Ed-davies]

Damn you Sony ! This looks like a great lens for gimbal work, was shooting a wedding a few weeks ago with the GM version and my arms certainly knew about it by the end!

[@AlexJenkins]

Hey, but that's a time saver, right? Now you get your gym time in WHILE working. You're just being effecient.

[@Ed-davies]

@@AlexJenkins you know I never thought about it like that, I am an efficiency god and I didn’t know it!

[@JIMMYSBN]

Nice!, great lens i think, but it would be very interesting to know if yuo could control the powerzoom from a gimbal directly, that would make it possibly the best gimbal lens out there in that focal range since the size and weight and the fact that the zoom is indeed internal. could you come to know that?

[@lpalbou]

Since you can wire zoom.. does it mean you can get back to the exact same zoom factor you were at ? (I am asking perfect match, not a +/-1 mm)

[@NorfKhazad]

I hope they come out with a replacement for the FE-PZ 28-135 F4 G with similar features. You can really feel the age of that lens. The autofocus isn't the best, it isn't very parfocal and it has noticeable focus breathing. Additionally you can't crash-zoom with it as the motors are too slow.

[@fireworks1997]

and the focus isn't linear. God damn terrible.

[@shanemartinphoto2974]

So I do have the Zeiss, had it about 4 years. All sorts of wear and tear. Looking to upgrade but if this sent much of an upgrade, What should I be looking at getting? I shoot it for photos and video for real estate

[@npvids]

Planning to get this... but on the other hand, have Sigma 14-24 f2.8. which one do you recommend, assume mostly used for landscape on A7RV?

[@alma175w]

Nice Malkovich reference! Looks like a great lens, good to see Sony can address focus breathing, and adapt their focus technology for a zoom function. That said, the Zeiss was my first FE lens and I was never disappointed with it. I did ultimately upgrade to the GM version for more flexibility in low light.

[@bokbokeh]

Getting this with crane m3 gimble 🥰

[@SlideWreckDan]

As soon as Sony catches up on a great lineup for great PZ lenses, the broadcast world will probably start adopting smaller bodies like the FX3. Our production company has already been using FX3s, but the lenses were always an issue in the broadcast world.

[@AlexJenkins]

How's the battery life on that thing? I've been curious to use it for our corporate stuff as we travel a lot and that form-factor is so small. But we do interviews and I don't want to be swapping out battery every 10-15 minutes.

[@facundocordara3258]

@@AlexJenkins I've done a full 1hr show on the A7S3 on 1080p, AF on, IS off, screen brightness at -2 i believe and battery life went from 90% to 25% aprox. It's not the exact same camera but a close comparison

[@SlideWreckDan]

@@AlexJenkins we never use the internal battery usually. Either a V mount rig with a dummy or some kind of USB C PD setup. With PD it lasts 3 hours.

[@TonyDae]

I can get 1.5 hours of battery life continuous recording. Battery swap out is less than 30 seconds. Turing on things like wifi or IBIS will drain the battery faster, so if you turn on airplane mode + decrease screen brightness + turn of IBIS, you get a nice chunk of battery life.

[@mirrorlessny]

@@TonyDae thank you, those are great points to further improve already good battery life on a7S3/FX3

[@Micah-Woods]

"Leever" for lever, has to be a Canadian pronunciation! 😂 so used to "lever"! Solid breakdown!

[@Kneggebrot05]

Hey Gerald. Something odd that I noticed... How are you controlling your angles? The Atem seems to be quite far away and in the FX3 "zoomshot" it dosnt seem to be recording? Are you just using the BMD for multiview or am i missing something ?

[@geraldundone]

Correct. Just multiview. I only use it for more than that when I livestream. The angles are all done in post after recording two complete ISOs in camera. Well on Ninjas, but you get the idea.

[@petermclennan6781]

Your flare tests reminds me of the old saw: "What's the difference between lens flare and art?" :)

[@skymakai]

Did you happen to test the zoom function using the DJI RS2? Are zoom controls available on the RS2?

[@Siverly]

Got the older one used recently for under $600. Think I’ll be staying with that and not sure I would choose this new one given the choice because it just seems odd.

[@MarkHuynh7]

Can u do a review on the new fx6 update,

[@dansemur]

Hey mate! Ive been looking around for how manual mode auto iso in certain situation is favorable. A lot of photog talk about this but haven’t found much vidéo folks talk about it.. not that it’s a big topic but maybe you already have went over this and I didn’t find it.

[@USGrant21st]

Does the zoom reset to 16mm when the camera wakes up from standby? I usually never turn the camera off during shooting, so keeping the zoom position on wakeup is a must.

[@LashanR]

It would be so cool for video if you could program it to go through different zoom levels with the press of a button

[@KLOCinematics]

Is there any particular reason why this lens isn't being compared to the 16-35mm GM 2.8 lens ? Just curious cos that is the one I have

[@leo_miuuu]

These bokeh circles at 11:24 look like: 😍

[@ramsestoledo_]

Gerald do you know anything about an upcoming 16-35 G Master? I’m about to purchase the current version but I’m not sure if it’s a bad idea in 2023? May I know your thought on this please!? Thanks

[@catnamestaken]

Cool

[@tomowens7499]

is there a list of bodies that are compatible with the 'zoom speed' function? i understand you can program the rocker for 5 steps of speed but it's only available on 'compatible bodies'... (i have a7iii)

[@yoseflianto7547]

Can I assign the zoom function with custom buttons on A7s3? thanks mate

[@eyemodeo]

It would be nice to compare the 16-35mm PZ lens to the Sony 16-35mm Cine zoom T/3.1 which costs $ 5,500.

[@kaimelis]

is it parfocal? How good the af is when zooming?

[@raphlauren2785]

Can you have a review by using the APS-C-format Sony E-mount cameras with the Sony PZ 16-35mm f/4 Lens, I wonder if the result is still ok.

[@tommyliu1210]

I want get 16-35gm but it doesn’t have OSS. Do I need OSS if no how to setup my A7mk1 with no ibis for landscape and video please give me a recommendation? I will get a A7iv after I get the lens.

[@KhoaSV]

2:15 I have this lens and the focal length does not reset to 16mm when I turn the camera off. Maybe that was just a pre-production quirk, or maybe mine is bugged out. Can someone else confirm?

[@yohannsphotographyvideogra9542]

i wonder how it will look in super 35 on the a1

[@andresawenko4412]

Does anyone know how the optics would compare to the Sony 16-35 T3.1 cine. Which seems the only other option with a power zoom but so much more expensive and heavier. (Yes I know it's a faster lens)

[@TableRumble]

I‘m struggling in its comparison with tamron 17-28 F2.8, if i should trade off tamron or not...

[@jiggyb21]

I’m loving the new and improved giving less fucks Gerald. Pretty great.

[@AdemVessell]

My FX3 will like this.

[@gkochanowsky]

How much noise did the motors make?

[@sashinger5230]

Heard about some massive distortion at the wide end. What are your experiences with it so far?

[@stonehammer1134]

How does this lens compare to Sony's FE 16-35 T3.1 lens?

[@thelensguy6050]

It’s better except the stabilisation but, ibis should be enough, ibis + oss is much better than just ibis?

[@dwightsbeetfarms3611]

Gerald, keep the artificial flare test. Veiling flare resistance is critical in interior photography. I really hope the new 16-35 GM 2 will outperform other Sony 16-35s in flare resistance department

[@jonathantracey7275]

It's not a GM. It's a G lens, I'm in two minds I had the old GM in my basket and than they drop this. This one makes I think could be the one as I do alot of gimbal work

[@mattwruff]

Great Review but I have blown my Lens budget for a while. I got a great deal on a Fujinon MK 15-55 (Super 35) lens and it's purely manual but it is a real Parafocal CINE lens and yes I have to use it in 1.5 Crop which makes it a 28-70 basically but for interviews it a great lens. Also have ordered but haven't received the best overall single lens the Tamron 35-150...

[@Lucamitm]

I have the 16-35mm gm but the size of it is a problem for handheld video and overall weight when traveling long days hikes. Do you think this new lens is way too inferior in quality or should be just fine for personal photos and few videos? Thanks

[@lucaslonghurst]

I have it and it’s great. Super sharp and light so it’s easy to carry all day. AF is super quick as well.

[@seblx]

@@lucaslonghurst hi man i ve an occasion to buy it! i can t really decide with the new sigma 16-28... I do lot of video for entreprises and gimbal work. i own lot of lenses (i use my 20mm 1.8 a lot)... The power zoom+rsc2 and the compact size would be versatile. DO YOU ADVISE ME THIS LENSE? thanx a lot !

[@lucaslonghurst]

@@seblx Yes! If you don't need 2.8 and you're using it on a gimbal then it would be perfect. The balance point doesn't move with the power zoom and it's super sharp and light. Having some extra range at 35mm is nice and if you need bokeh you have your 20mm 1.8. I'd say go for the Sony. It will also hold value better than Sigma although they do make great lenses as well.

[@KOKOBC]

What do you think of the new 24-70mm f2.8 gm ii?