Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Reviews
Sharp - and I compared it to several lenses
By Mario
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-07-21
I have owned this lens for four years, using with a A6500. I have seen reviews critical of its sharpness which surprised me. I am primarily a Canon shooter (R5 and R with solid RF L glass) and use the Sony when I seek a lighter weight kit. I felt the need to leave this review, as I wish to share my viewpoint that this lens is an incredible blend of sharpness and portability.
About a year ago, I set up a sharpness test with this lens against the following: Sony PZ 18-105 OSS F4, Sony 50mm F1.8, Canon EF 24-105 F4 Mark 2, Canon EF 85 F1.2 (both of these converted with a Metabones adapter) using the a6500 body.
Pixel peeping these images in Lightroom, I have to say that the Sony 16-70 F4 hung in there very well with sharpness across the zoom range (even at 70mm against the Canon 24-105) and across the frame.
Maybe the lesson learned here is that there is variability across the lens lot and you need to make sure you have a good copy. But I will tell you that if you do have a good copy, this lens provides great results and is such a pleasant experience in terms of weight and portability. It is great.
A great small go anywhere lens
By Jim
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-03-11
Let me say that I have most Sony APSC lenses, so I can honestly compare most of them along with the Sigma Contemporary Prime lenses, My copy of this lens is nothing short of superb. It does not have softness in the corner and is comparable to the Sony E 16-55 2.8 lens that costs about $300 more.
Every lens meets a specific need and as long as you use it in the way it was design you will have few complaints. This lens covers a full frame equivalent of 24-105mm and has Optical Steady Shot. Images out of it are definitely better than those out of the E 18-105 PZ OSS and E 18-135 OSS. The main advantage it has though is that it goes from 16-70 and is significantly smaller.
Now for the elephant in the room, how does it compare to the E 16-55/2.8? I would say that in most situations you will be hard pressed to tell the difference, but the 2.8 is a bigger, faster lens with better image quality on a stabilized body like my a6600 or a6500. The problem with the 2.8 is that it is bigger and more noticeable. I have mistakenly brought big camera lenses to places where I wanted to photograph my granddaughter and drawn way too much attention to myself. This lens is small enough where that will not happen. It is also a joy to vary because it is so light.
If you get a good copy of this lens as I did, you will never regret having it.
Great lens.
By Douglas
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2021-01-07
Good for a lot of situations, very flexible. I've used in jungle incursions.
Is the most compact lens that delivers a good sharpness, is light, can be used for travel with out take much space.
Best ratio btween price quality and weight.
Major upgrade from kit lens
By Jimmy
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-12-11
The 16-50 that often comes with Sony alpha cameras is a perfectly decent lens, so I was hesitate to spring for a lens that cost three times as much. I am very glad I did because it is a major upgrade, especially in feel and everyday use. The extra length makes it extra useful. Don't expect a major improvement in image quality because the cheaper lenses are fine. This one is just extra nice.
Decent lens, soft corner image
By Ming
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2020-10-04
What I like - compactness, zoom rage for travel, build quality, fast AF
What I did not like - soft corner image even after step down. No Zeiss's famous micro contrast.
It is a ok travel lens if you place people/subject near the center because center is sharp. For landscape pictures, the corners are noticeably soft which is disturbing.
It is questionable to justify price premium for this Zeiss label lens.
Mostly Plastic not metal - Not moisture Resistant
By MOV_maker
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2020-03-22
Liked size and range of focal length. Must be very careful using in high Humidity and dusty environments. Very expensive - paying for ZEISS design...Must use Capture One Software to get full photo clarity and color repro. Needed a macro capability like Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens. Wish I would have bought this lens for my APS-C camera.. More Bang for Buck with a much sharper lens....
Stays On My a6000
By House
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-09-04
I think this is the first lens someone should buy after getting an APS-C Sony. It's sharp consistently across the range of the zoom with hardly any visible distortion. It's not overly huge or heavy either. This is my general-purpose lens that stays on my camera most of the time.
Superb
By Jon
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-08-02
An outstanding alternative to the kit lens and perfect for the a7C to make it the compact take-everywhere combo.
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