The line up of full-frame E-mount lenses from Sony is growing with the new 16-35mm F2.8 GM and 12-24mm F4 G which will be available this Summer.

The new lenses include the FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM large aperture wide-angle zoom lens (model SEL1635GM) and the FE 12-24mm F4 G ultra wide-angle zoom lens (model SEL1224G).  The FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM lens brings, according to Sony, “the incredible high-resolution and beautiful bokeh of Sony’s flagship G Master series to a wide 16-35mm focal length for exceptional landscapes, cityscapes, portraits and more”, while the 12-24mm F4 G, Sony’s widest full-frame E-mount lens to date, offers a dynamic new perspective for all Sony E-mount shooters.

With the recent addition of the FE 100-400mm F4.5–5.6 GM OSS super telephoto zoom, a lens that was much needed, Sony’s full-frame E-mount lens lineup now covers from ultra-wide 12mm to super-telephoto 800mm (with teleconverter) focal length range.

The new FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM wide-angle zoom joins the acclaimed FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM and FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS to round out Sony’s lineup of F2.8 large aperture zoom lenses, a trinity those looking for wide-aperture might consider. Equipped with a variety of Sony’s most advanced lens technologies, it is the first wide-angle G Master model, making it ideal for an extensive variety of shooting situations – landscapes, architecture, close up portraits, sports, action and much more.  It is also exceptionally lightweight and compact, maximizing portability and usability.

According the information made available by Sony, the new lens features exceptional corner-to-corner sharpness, with an optical design that includes five aspherical elements, two of which are Sony’s original XA (extreme aspherical) elements that reduce aberration and deliver ultimate resolution throughout the entire zoom range and aperture range.

The front XA element on the SEL1635GM is the largest XA element ever produced, ensuring optimum quality. There are also two ED (Extra low-Dispersion) glass elements that keep chromatic aberration to a minimum while maximising resolution, and Sony’s original Nano AR coating that suppresses internal reflections to ensure excellent image contrast and clarity.

The lens features a near circular aperture shape at all settings, and the combination of the aforementioned XA element with its 11 bladed aperture design produces images with sharply focused subjects and beautifully defocused backgrounds or “bokeh”.It also has two DDSSMs (Direct Drive Super Sonic Wave Motors) that compose a floating focusing system and ensure that AF acquisition is speedy and quiet, making it an ideal choice for shooting still images as well as movies.

The SEL1635GM is dust and moisture resistant. The lens has a fluorine coating on the front lens that helps to both prevent dust or grease marks and remove them easily if they do become a trouble. There is also a customisable focus hold button and a hood release button.

The new ultra wide-angle zoom from Sony is a lightweight lens (weighing approximately 566g ) which is well-suited for both stills and video shooting. The new FE 12-24mm F4 G lens produces, claims Sony, “outstanding image quality”. The lens, Sony’s widest full-frame E-mount lens, offers a dynamic perspective for landscape, architecture and interior photography.

The lens features an innovative optical design with four aspherical elements that ensure excellent corner to corner sharpness and resolution.Additionally, the lens has three ED glass elements and one Super ED glass element that minimises chromatic aberration throughout the entire image and benefits from Sony’s original Nano AR coating.

The new SEL1224G lens includes a DDSSM (Direct Drive Super Sonic Wave Motor) for fast, quiet and precise AF performance, plus a customisable focus hold button and focus mode switch. It is also dust and moisture resistant, although you should not abuse it.

The new FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM wide-angle zoom lens will ship this August and will be sold for about $2,200 US and $3,000 CA. The new FE 12-24mm F4 G ultra wide-angle zoom Lens will ship this July sold for about $1,700 US and $2,300 CA.