Nikon - NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S vs Sony - FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II

These two are nearly even on the Mars Score (65.6 vs 62.8). The decision is not about overall quality — both clear the bar — it is about which specific trade-offs fit your use.

Pick the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S if you care most about min focal / max focal. The biggest gaps in its favor are min focal, max focal. The single most decisive one: Min focal: 24 (vs 16).

Pick the FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. Its strongest claims are weight. The single most decisive one: Weight — 258.00 g less. 547 vs 805.

Both ship with comparable weather sealed, optical stabilization, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.

Bottom line: there is no wrong answer here — match the spec advantages to how you actually use the product. The Mars Score parity says both are well-rounded; the differences are about trade-offs, not quality.