Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II (SAL1635Z2) vs Sony Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 24mm F2 ZA SSM (SAL24F20Z)
Side-by-side comparison from our catalogue data. Better values are highlighted only where a clear difference exists.
Verdict at a glance
- Sony Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 24mm F2 ZA SSM (SAL24F20Z) is faster by 1 stop (f/2.0 vs f/2.8), letting in more light.
- Sony Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 24mm F2 ZA SSM (SAL24F20Z) is lighter by 318g.
- Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II (SAL1635Z2) goes wider (16mm vs 24mm).
- Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II (SAL1635Z2) reaches further (35mm vs 24mm).
- Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II (SAL1635Z2) is the newer design (2015 vs 2010).
| Spec | Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II (SAL1635Z2) | Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 24mm F2 ZA SSM (SAL24F20Z) |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Sony | Sony |
| Mount | Sony A | Sony A |
| Type | Wide Zoom | Prime |
| Focal length | 16-35mm (wider) | 24mm |
| Max aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.0 (faster) |
| Released | 2015 | 2010 |
| Blades | 9 | 9 |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Groups | 13 | 7 |
| Af motor | SSM | SSM |
| Elements | 17 | 9 |
| Weight g | 873 | 555 (lighter) |
| Filter mm | 77 | 72 |
| Length mm | 114.0 | 76.0 |
| Min focus m | 0.28 | 0.19 (closer focusing) |
| Max magnification | 0.24 | 0.29 |
Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II (SAL1635Z2)
The second version of Sony's Zeiss wide zoom for A-mount, with a constant f/2.8 aperture and SSM focusing. It weighs about 873 g and takes 77mm filters.
Pros
- Constant f/2.8 aperture
- SSM autofocus
- Revised optics over the first version
- Close focus of 0.28 m
Cons
- Heavy at about 873 g
- No stabilization (camera-based only)
Sony Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 24mm F2 ZA SSM (SAL24F20Z)
A fast 24mm wide-angle for full-frame A-mount with an SSM focus motor and a close focusing distance of 0.19 m. It weighs about 555 g and takes 72mm filters.
Pros
- f/2 is bright for a 24mm
- Close focus of 0.19 m
- SSM autofocus
- 9-blade aperture
Cons
- Heavier than most 24mm f/2.8 lenses
- Only 0.29x maximum magnification, so not a macro lens
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