Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS 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.
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.
Disappointed
By 368Ton
Rated 1 out of 5
Date: 2020-01-13
I bought this lens according to the reviews I've read on the internet. Although those reviews aren't excellent, they are generally above average. I thought it's worth a try. The lens is well constrected. Unfortunately, the good part of the lens stops there. To my disappointment, the quality of the pictures I get from this lens is less then average. The colors are very washed out. I use this lens with the A6300 that's been converted to infrared. The hot spot is very strong. The focus is good, though not excellent, in the center area, but very poor at the corner where the fringing and distortion is very strong. All and all, I am very disappointed. I can't recommend this lens to anyone.
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.
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