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Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens

BH #SO16704 • MFR #SEL1670Z
 204 reviews
Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens
Key Features
  • E-Mount Lens/APS-C Format
  • 24-105mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • Aperture Range: f/4 to f/22
  • One ED Element; Four Aspherical Elements
Covering both wide landscapes and tight portraits, the Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens from Sony is a great all-around choice for APS-C-format E-mount cameras. It offers a very versatile 24-105mm equivalent zoom range, features a constant f/4 aperture for consistent performance, and mixes advanced optics with fast focusing and robust OSS for an ideal single-lens solution for most general shooting situations.
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Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Overview

  • 1Description
  • 2Advanced APS-C All-Rounder
  • 3ZEISS Optical Design
  • 4Image Stabilization and Autofocus
By B&H Photo's
Advanced APS-C All-Rounder
Covering both wide landscapes and tight portraits, the Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens from Sony is a great all-around choice for APS-C-format E-mount cameras. It offers a very versatile 24-105mm equivalent zoom range, features a constant f/4 aperture for consistent performance, and mixes advanced optics with fast focusing and robust OSS for an ideal single-lens solution for most general shooting situations.
ZEISS Optical Design
  • Based on the ZEISS Tessar optical concept, this lens uses a design with 16 elements in 12 groups that helps ensure a smaller overall lens size along with reduced flaring, distortion, and chromatic aberrations.
  • A constant f/4 maximum aperture offers consistent performance throughout the zoom range and also lends greater control over focus position for shallow depth of field techniques.
  • Rounded seven-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing bokeh quality when employing selective focus techniques.
  • One extra-low dispersion glass element is featured in the lens design to help reduce chromatic aberrations and color fringing for improved clarity and color neutrality.
  • Four aspherical elements, including one Advanced Aspherical (AA), are incorporated in the lens design to reduce astigmatism, field curvature, coma, and other monochromatic aberrations.
  • ZEISS T* anti-reflective coatings have been applied to each lens surface to help minimize reflections in order to provide greater image clarity, contrast, and color fidelity.
Image Stabilization and Autofocus
  • Optical SteadyShot image stabilization helps to minimize the appearance of camera shake for sharper imagery when shooting handheld with slower shutter speeds. This stabilization system can also be combined with select camera's sensor-shift type image stabilization for more effective control of camera blur.
  • A linear autofocus motor and internal focus design provide quick and precise autofocus performance and enables accurate and silent focusing while recording videos.
  • Minimum focusing distance of 1.1' and a 0.23x maximum magnification suit working with close-up subjects.

Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Specs

Focal Length16 to 70mm (35mm Equivalent Focal Length: 24 to 105mm)
Maximum Aperturef/4
Minimum Aperturef/22
Lens MountSony E
Lens Format CoverageAPS-C
Angle of View83° to 23°
Minimum Focus Distance1.1' / 35 cm
Maximum Magnification0.23x
Optical Design16 Elements in 12 Groups
Diaphragm Blades7, Rounded
Focus TypeAutofocus
Image StabilizationYes
Filter Size55 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)2.6 x 3" / 66.6 x 75 mm
Length at Maximum Extension4.5" / 113.7 mm
Weight10.9 oz / 308 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight1.185 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)8.15 x 4.55 x 4.45"

Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Reviews

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.

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....

A Good Lens

By William
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2020-03-12

Please do not let any of the negative reviews dissuade you from buying this lens. It's a fine lens. The zoom range is ideal for my Sony a6000, and it's constant f/4 at all focal lengths is great. It is built very well and performs well optically, in that it is sharp throughout its zoom range, even when wide open. Perhaps those who have found this lens to be lacking received a bad example, or they are persuaded by other reviews.

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.

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.

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YOUR RECENTLY VIEWED ITEMS

Will the 16-70 fit the a6400?

Will the 16-70 fit the a6400?
Asked by: Marc
Yes this lens is compatible with the a6400.
Answered by: Ryan
Date published: 2021-07-19

question

Is there a lens hood available for this lens? It sure looks like it would need one. Thanks in advance.
Asked by: Michael
The lens hood that comes with the 16-70mm lens is proprietary and replacements must be ordered through Sony directly.
Answered by: Heather S.
Date published: 2018-08-24

question

Does Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens fit for Sony a6300?
Asked by: Anonymous
I use this lens 90% of the time on my Sony a6000. It should work fine on the a6300.
Answered by: Richard K.
Date published: 2018-08-24

Is this varifocal or a true zoom ens? Thanks.

Is this varifocal or a true zoom ens? Thanks.
Asked by: David
The Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens is a normal APS-C sensor E mount zoom lens.
Answered by: Robert
Date published: 2022-06-26

Does it come with a lens hood?

Does it come with a lens hood?
Asked by: RAYMOND
Yes it comes with Sony ALC-SH127 Lens Hood
Answered by: vilson
Date published: 2023-03-17

question

where is this lens made?
Asked by: Charles B.
Made in Thailand.
Answered by: Reza R.
Date published: 2018-08-24

question

On the sony FS7 camera, will this lens be able to autofocus and can I use the servo zoom function?
Asked by: Anonymous
The lens will autofocus, however it does not have a servo zoom.
Answered by: Heather S.
Date published: 2018-08-24

question

does it fit NEX FS 100?
Asked by: Anonymous
Yes, this lens is fully compatible with the Sony NEX FS-100 camera.
Answered by: Yos O.
Date published: 2018-08-24
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