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Sony - FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II vs Voigtländer - APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 SE

Last updated · How Mars Score works
FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM IISONYRENDER
Probe A
Sony
FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II
45.9/ 100D
Optics46· 55%
Build· 35%
Mount· 10%
APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 SEVOIGTLÄNDERRENDER
Probe B
Voigtländer
APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 SE
57.6/ 100D
Optics58· 55%
Build· 35%
Mount· 10%
Quick verdict

Between the FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II and APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 SE, the FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II comes out ahead in weather sealed, while the APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 SE wins on weight and min focal. Overall, the FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II scores 45.9 and the APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 SE scores 57.6 on our Mars Score.

Buying advice

Which should you buy?

The APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 SE is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 11.7 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.

Pick the FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II if you care most about weather sealed. The biggest gaps in its favor are weather sealed.

Pick the APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 SE if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. Its strongest claims are weight, min focal, max focal.

Both ship with comparable optical stabilization, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.

Bottom line: the APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 SE is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.

Why Sony - FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II wins

  • Has Weather sealed.

Why Voigtländer - APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 SE wins

  • Weight — 183.00 g less. 364 vs 547.
  • Min focal: 50 (vs 16).
  • Max focal: 50 (vs 35).
Full readout

Spec comparison

Optics

SpecSony - FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM IIVoigtländer - APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 SE
Min focal16 mm50 mmlead
Max focal35 mm50 mmlead
Max aperturef/2.8f/2
Min aperturef/22f/22

Build

SpecSony - FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM IIVoigtländer - APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 SE
Weight547 g364 glead
Weather sealedtrueleadfalse
Optical stabilizationfalsefalse

Mount

SpecSony - FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM IIVoigtländer - APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 SE
Lens mountSony ESony E
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