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Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G Lens

BH #SO165528G • MFR #SEL1655G
51 reviews
Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G Lens
Key Features
  • E-Mount Lens/APS-C Format
  • 24-82.5mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
  • Four Aspherical Elements
Positioned as the workhorse lens for APS-C, the Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G is a flexible wide-angle to portrait-length zoom featuring a bright constant f/2.8 maximum aperture. Covering a versatile range, this sleek lens is well-positioned for a wide variety of subjects, from landscapes to portraiture, and its portable size makes it a go-to lens for everyday shooting.
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Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G Overview

  • 1Description
  • 2Compact and Fast Zoom for APS-C
  • 3G Lens Series
  • 4Autofocus and Handling
  • 5Compact and Durable Design
By B&H Photo's
Compact and Fast Zoom for APS-C
Positioned as the workhorse lens for APS-C, the Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G is a flexible wide-angle to portrait-length zoom featuring a bright constant f/2.8 maximum aperture. Covering a versatile range, this sleek lens is well-positioned for a wide variety of subjects, from landscapes to portraiture, and its portable size makes it a go-to lens for everyday shooting.
G Lens Series
  • Four aspherical elements, including two AA (Advanced Aspherical) elements, help to greatly reduce distortion and spherical aberrations in order to accurately render scenes with a high degree of sharpness.
  • Three extra-low dispersion elements reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations for improved clarity and color accuracy.
  • A Nano AR Coating has been applied to minimize surface reflections, flare, and ghosting for increased contrast and color rendering in strong lighting conditions.
  • Wide-to-portrait-length 16-55mm zoom is designed for APS-C-format Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras and provides a 24-82.5mm equivalent focal length range.
  • Bright f/2.8 constant maximum aperture enables greater control over depth of field and also suits working in difficult lighting conditions.
  • Rounded nine-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing bokeh quality when employing selective focus techniques.
Autofocus and Handling
  • XD Linear Motor system provides quick, quiet, and precise autofocus performance that suits both photo and video applications.
  • Linear Response manual focus control offers more natural handling and an AF/MF switch is located on the lens barrel for tactile control over this setting.
  • Customizable focus hold buttons are present on the lens barrel for intuitive tactile control and rapid access to select settings.
Compact and Durable Design
  • Dust- and moisture-sealed design better permits working in inclement conditions and rubberized control rings benefit handling in colder temperatures.
  • Fluorine-coated front element resists dust, moisture, and fingerprints and is easy to clean.
  • Portable design measures 4" long and weighs just over 1 lb, making it an ideal companion for the smaller size of APS-C camera bodies.

Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G Specs

Focal Length16 to 55mm (35mm Equivalent Focal Length: 24 to 82.5mm)
Maximum Aperturef/2.8
Minimum Aperturef/22
Lens MountSony E
Lens Format CoverageAPS-C
Angle of View83° to 29°
Minimum Focus Distance1.08' / 33 cm
Maximum Magnification0.2x
Optical Design17 Elements in 12 Groups
Diaphragm Blades9, Rounded
Focus TypeAutofocus
Image StabilizationNo
Filter Size67 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)2.87 x 3.94" / 73 x 100 mm
Length at Maximum Extension5.3" / 133.8 mm
Weight1.09 lb / 494 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight1.69 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)7.8 x 4.5 x 4.3"

Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G Reviews

Amazing, love it!

By Tatiana
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-05-19

This Lens is very smooth to do zoom in/out transitions. The continuos autofocus is amazing, I definetely recommend it!

great quality lens

By Carolyn
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-08-05

this might be my new favorite lens

Very sharp and the perfect focal length.

By Craig
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-06-27

I was searching for the right lens to replace several fixed focal lengths from wide to medium to reduce how often I needed to change lenses while traveling. On my A6500 this is now a 24-83 35mm equivalent lens. 24mm is as wide as I ever like to go (I've found 20mm is just too wide for me) and 83mm is perfect for portraits. The 2.8 aperture results is beautiful bokeh too. Great choice for me. I highly recommend this lens.

The GM of APS-C

By Felix
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-05-02

Since I bought this lens its been in my camera like 95% of the time. It is sharp, lightweight, so smooth on focus and zoom. Definitely worth every penny. I just wish it had OSS but its not a deal breaker for me.

Top Level E Sony Lens

By Stephen
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2021-04-29

Purchased this lens with some reservations. It was to replace a lens I like, the Zeiss 16-70mm f/4. The G lens Is sharper, faster and weather sealed. It's also bigger, heavier and not optically stabilized. The sharpness and feeling of quality is what'll prolly allow me to keep it. I'm fortunate to be in a position to narrowly justify this expensive lens even though the Zeiss 16-70mm is 90% as good. It's a good feeling knowing you're doing all you can for top IQ.

Yeah, it's THAT good

By Paul
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-04-21

I've had a whole stable of APSC lenses for a6000's, a6400 and a6500. The Sigma trio really showed me what these camera were capable of - I started with the 30, then the heavy 16 then the newest 56. These Sigmas are great lenses, competitively priced with fast aperatures. But their resolving powers really showed that APSC didn't have to be mushy, slushy and fuzzy. So why am I gushing over these three Sigma lenses when reviewing this Sony 16-55 zoom? Well, because this zoom is on the same level as the Sigma trio and many of you will have experience with one or more of the Sigmas. Those are best in class and so is this Sony. The three Sigmas, taken together cover the same ground as this lens, with the same consistent quality. The three Sigma together cost about the same, each offers a 2 stop speed advantage. The Sony zoom offers convenience and sensor protection of not changing lenses. Neither lens solution offers stabilization. The Sony zoom is smaller and lighter than the trio. It's nice to have the Sigma trio for their speed and the Sony zoom for its convenience. Both produce consistent results which are head and shoulders above pretty much all of the APSC lenses available in the Sony eco-system, So compared to the Sigma trio, this is great value. Compared to full frame, this lens offers APSC users a more usable zoom range than the classic 24-70 f2.8 and maybe more consistent results. (I know it's the same light gathering but less depth of field. Less depth of field is not always an advantage.) The Sony solution is almost half the weight. So it's good value from that perspective. Can you put a price tag on the time saved in changing lenses or photos lost being too lazy to change lenses... again? My Sony 16-55 stays glued to my a6500 as a do-all, protect the sensor from dust lens. Of course the a6500 has IBIS. Both have some weather sealing, also a rarity in the Sony APSC eco-system. It's unfortunate Sony didn't make this lens available earlier for its excellent sensors. Folks, it's THAT good.

Fast!

By why is this so important
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-01-21

Fast lens. A bit bulky, but a fast lens usually is, by design. Very smooth and quiet. A bit pricey, but worth the cost.

Amazing Lens that Out Shines my gm 24-70

By DANIEL
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-01-18

Absolutely pin Sharp lens throughout the focal range. This was originally a lens I purchased for my wife's A6600; but lately I've been borrowing it for business trip to use with my A7RIV, since I'd get 26 mp and greater focal range coverage than my 24-70 gm. I love this lens so much that I am selling my GM, and will use this lens when I need the focal range versatility; and will stick to primes for my pro work where I need my camera's full megapixels. Highly recommend this lens

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Will FX30's zoom rocker control the optical zoom ...

Will FX30's zoom rocker control the optical zoom for this lens?
Asked by: Juanlan
No, the Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G Lens is not a power zoom, and so zoom cannot be controlled from a camera body. The zoom rocker on the Sony FX30 Digital Cinema Camera would not control the zoom of this lens.
Answered by: Yaakov
Date published: 2023-02-10

Do you have a test unit of this lens in the ...

Do you have a test unit of this lens in the store?
Asked by: Michael
Yes we have have Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G Lens on display in the store for testing.
Answered by: Daniel
Date published: 2023-03-15

Is there a doubler for the E 15-55mm lens ...

Is there a doubler for the E 15-55mm lens consistent with the optical quality of that lens? Such a doubler would seem to provide a decent telephoto at a lower cost, making such a package attractive.
Asked by: Ken
Hi Ken, as of this time there are no teleconverter that works with the E 16-55 f2.8 G lens.
Answered by: SonyListens
Date published: 2019-09-16

Does the lens extend when zooming out from 16mm ...

Does the lens extend when zooming out from 16mm to 55mm?
Asked by: Kelvin
Yes it does. This lens will extend and retract as it zooms in and out.
Answered by: Joseph
Date published: 2022-10-14

Is the minimum focus distance 1.08' / 33 cm the ...

Is the minimum focus distance 1.08' / 33 cm the same for 16mm and 55mm? Thanks.
Asked by: Nam
Hi Nam, the MFD is only measured at the widest focal length of 16mm.
Answered by: SonyListens
Date published: 2020-05-12

Low light?

Low light?
Asked by: Randy
Amazing on low light, i am selling mine.
Answered by: Emanuel
Date published: 2021-12-28

A large portion of Sony APSC lenses are not ...

A large portion of Sony APSC lenses are not Equipped with IBIS. Why make this lense without OSS?
Asked by: Bruce
Great question! Sony already makes a few OSS lenses that are or are close to 24-70mm. The difference is that they're full frame lenses. Those will work with your camera, so if OSS is a requirement for you then you can purchase one of those (B&H# SO24704, B&H# SO241054G, and B&H# SO28703556). Having said that, a concern some people have is that since the aforementioned options are full frame lenses they're larger than they need to be for APS-C cameras -- and also heavier. This fast APS-C lens is designed to be both relatively small and especially well balanced on any Sony APS-C camera. While we can't speak for Sony, I think it's fair to say that at this higher level of lens quality, however, and the associated higher price, it could be that Sony expects it to be used on a flagship APS-C camera. Until 2019, that was the a6500. At the time of this lens' release (late 2019), it's the a6600. Both of those cameras already feature in-body image stabilization and thus would not benefit from adding OSS to this lens. Moreover, doing so would increase the size, weight, and cost of the lens. That's why it makes sense for Sony not to add OSS. Having said all of that, when shooting photos at these focal distances and at f/2.8 with any Sony APS-C camera you are likely to be able to use a fast enough shutter speed that you won't need OSS anyway. Finally, for greatest stability, be sure to look through the viewfinder as you shoot so that there are three points of contact between you and the camera. Doing so maximizes stability.
Answered by: Yoni
Date published: 2022-05-16

What does SONY mean by saying the focus ring has ...

What does SONY mean by saying the focus ring has "linear focusing"? I can't figure that one out.
Asked by: Lane
That means that the amount you turn the focus ring will be directly proportional to the degree of the focus pull. When that's not the case, turning the focus ring very slowly for, say, 20 degrees of twist can cause less of a change in focus than doing so quickly. When the focusing is linear it's possible to rely on markers that you might set when using a device called a follow focus. (That's a tool for making it more ergonomic to focus the lens and is especially popular among video shooters.)
Answered by: Yoni
Date published: 2022-03-28
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