Sony 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Vario-Sonnar T* DT Carl Zeiss A-Mount Lens

2019-07-05T20:00:00

I purchased this lens new 7 years ago along with the Sony A580. Had to send the first one back due to severe pincushion effect. The second one is good except, as others have mentioned, the vignetting at 16mm is really bad. It takes a lot of work in Post to correct it. The build quality is questionable. Only lens I own that the barrel noticeably wobbles around the central axis and it has bad "Lens Creep" (fixed with a silicone band). Aside from these 2 problems, this is a very sharp lens with a great zoom range on APS-C bodies.

SonyA900

Originally posted at

2017-01-21T19:00:00

This is the bestperforming lens I have ever owned. Chromatic aberration is minimal over the useful zoom range. Would have given it 5 stars (and more) if it had a barrel lock to stop the zoom extending whilst not using the lens. A serious omission Sony - why, oh why!!!

Pete63941 h.

Originally posted at

2016-04-30T20:00:00

Bought this lens a few weeks ago and weather has been pretty bad so only used a couple of times. Seems a lovely sharp and true colour lens so look forward to getting out and finding a bluebell wood to practice on.

Jud69

Originally posted at

2015-09-14T21:00:00

Fast focus sharp pictures,woks great.

JAMES

2015-02-05T19:00:00

The lens is far superior in sharpness throughout the range than the kit lens that came with my camera.

daverover

Originally posted at

2014-08-30T20:00:00

Excellent resolution, but unacceptable vignetting at 16mm f3.5. Images at all apertures display noticeable reduction in corner exposure. Although this can be reduced in image processing software, it should not be present in a lens of this quality.

Arran43

Originally posted at

2013-06-13T21:00:00

This is my go to lens. Sharp! Great lens Stays on my a77. Landscapes are beautiful, great with grand kids as can stay far enough back so they are natural. Color is superb! There is no purple fringing and distortion is non-existent when using Lightroom with this lens checked. I could not get a better lens with this focal range for the price! Highly recommend

ROBERT W.

2013-06-11T20:00:00

This is a very good zoom lens for general use in an APS-C camera. I've had mine for 5 years and haven't had any problems at all. It's almost always been on my camera and never disappointed. I've used it at weddings, sporting events, indoors, outdoors, you name it. It's not quite a professional lens, but it costs less that half as much as a Zeiss 24-70, which I use on my A99. It also weighs half as much and is considerably smaller. It's a perfect match size wise for my A65 or A700.

RedJack

Originally posted at

2013-03-17T20:00:00

It's a good zoom lens. 16mm is certainly wider than 24mm. As a result, you get more in your shot. It's enough for establishing shots. If the aperture was 2.8, it would be a perfect lens. But the price would not be the same.

birdbird

Originally posted at

2012-12-15T19:00:00

I have had this lens for about a year, and find it is the lens on the camera almost all the time.

1yearowner

Originally posted at

2012-12-09T19:00:00

After 3 years of very light use the manual focus stopped working, seems to be a common problem. Check dpreview forums to see what other people have to say. Make sure to buy extended warranty if you choose this lens.

MIGUELLEUGIM

Originally posted at

2012-08-31T20:00:00

I'm a complete novice and new to the DSLR world, but decided to splurge before going on vacation. I was hoping it would improve the likelihood that I'd take some better pictures. The lens did not disappoint. The images were crisp, I didn't notice distortion, or aberrations (terms that seem to be tossed around camera and lens review websites, but in all honesty, I don't know much about those things), and the images appeared bright and well defined.

cptab

Originally posted at

2012-05-09T20:00:00

I use this on a NEX-7 (using the LA-EA2 adapter) All I can say is this blows away a standard 18-55 kit lens for stills. I paid $900 only 4 weeks ago, now it`s $1050! Still a decent price for the name. The image quality is Zeiss all the way. The AF is faster than the native E mount lenses (probably due to adapter providing a mirror for phase-detection AF) Now the downsides: the AF motor is noisy and easily picked up by the built-in mic making this almost useless for video. Also, when in manual focus the lens will `creep`if it`s pointed downwards. This is my `walking around`outdoor lens and I have not been disappointed.

ScottytheHab

Originally posted at

2012-04-18T21:00:00

I can't afford a ton of lenses, nor will my lumbar stenosis permit the load. It has a great deal of utility. I've gone the route from my first press cameras to a 2 35mm film bodies with 5 lenses to cover sports car races and the 16-80 has proven to be be the best bet for me.

Big G.

2012-01-23T19:00:00

did not think the lens was tack sharp

MARVIN S.

2011-12-18T19:00:00

Great image quality/color. Good price.

James F.

2011-11-27T19:00:00

I know it's common, but we should band together and demand that lens makers put some sort of DOF scale on modern lenses - even zooms, or, at least include many more distance marks. Otherwise, this lens rocks. It's a slowish lens, but I don't need fast ones for landscapes and its sharpness and contrast is breathtaking.

Salt L.

2011-11-21T19:00:00

Have owned this lens with an A700 and A580 and used it as my main walk around lens. I do mostly landscape photography and found the 16-80 mm range to be perfect. Image quality with the Zeiss glass is sharp across the entire image. I sold mine only because I upgraded to the A850 and this lens doesn't work on Full Frame.

bbecker010

Originally posted at

2011-10-29T20:00:00

This should be a mandatory upgrade from the kit lens that comes with the alpha cameras. Image quality is far superior, and the versatility takes you from wide-angle interiors and landscapes up to 80mm portraits and closeups. I do get some vignetting (darkening of the corners), when using the lens wide open, but stopping it down to around f8 eliminates the problem, which is only occasional.

ElGueroMasLoco

Originally posted at

2011-06-11T20:00:00

I have owned this lens for an year and I am not planning to buy another one to replace it. After I have bought this lens, I was so shocked but the color and the realistic feeling of photos that it gives me. I think it is pretty hard to find some alternatives that fits sony camera for the price. But compare to those that fits Canon, Nikon, it is slight over priced because the dis-shape image in 2 extreme distance. Could be better on that. Everything else is very fine. Quite Light weight, quite durable. One more thing is that, the design could look more professional. If there is no Blue Zeiss label on it, I think no one will notice it is an expensive lens.

GaryJohnson

Originally posted at

2011-03-25T20:00:00

I'm a long time Minolta user and unconditional supporter (since 1971 : 3 SRT 101, 1 XG, 2 Maxuum 9000), and did enjoy a lot the five Sony Cybershot , so when Sony released its Alpha 700, I went for it with a SAL 1680 (SN 3823746),,,, and I did appreciate to be able to use again my 300 mm, macro lens, fish eye etc..., and despite its apparent weak/flimsy construction, I really enjoy also the sharpness of the Zeiss lens...... up to get a total freeze of the lens focus system (Murphy law helping, its on 1.25 ' distance !) when reaching 6722 pictures shouted,,,, (with certainly 85% of them with this terrific lens) ,,,So my opinion is now slightly different, and I'm facing a dilemma : should I go for an Alpha 900 to continue to use my 8+ Maxxum lenses at full frame quality.. not buying any new "cheap crafted" lens from Sony,,, or should I put everything on e-bay to go for a totally different system (hard to admit when spending my life promoting Minolta over Canon and Nikon).

Poulpry22

Originally posted at

2011-03-05T19:00:00

I recommend this lens for every Sony Cyber shot camera user, especially Alpha mount user. It's really versatile lens for every situations including scenery, portrait, and just playing.

Chris

2011-01-30T19:00:00

Just got this lens after doing a lot of research and I absolutely love it. I haven't been able to take pictures outdoors yet because of the weather, but pictures indoors have been terrific so far. Pictures come out sharp with awesome colors, the lens focuses really fast and its not too heavy. Only bad comment I have is that for the price, I wish it had a better zoom. Its a huge step up from the kit lens. Can't go wrong with this lens.

PayalG

Originally posted at

2011-01-25T19:00:00

There has been much said about this lens being copy dependent, and I too ran into this. The 1st copy I received was defective regarding the optics being decentered which rendered out of focus areas on the left portion of the frame. The 2nd copy was superb across the frame and does EVERYTHING right, so be aware and test your lens to be sure. It is near instant to focus and is accurate as well. color and contrast are what command the price, and man it delivers like NO other. 3rd party lenses are going to be a compromise I assure you. This lens is the REAL deal (when you get a good one). It think it was worth going through the hassle having to send the 1st one back as it is just such a stunning lens now.

dcisive

Originally posted at

2010-10-20T20:00:00

This is a terrific general-purpose zoom lens — all around, the best zoom lens I have ever owned. Focal range is just about ideal, weight is good, build is solid, and the image quality rivals that of my best primes. I've read some complaints about the lens's build quality but I think it's quite solid for a "modern" lens and given its price. Wish I'd picked this lens up sooner!

williamporterphotography

Originally posted at

2010-04-11T21:00:00

This is the lens that should come standard when you buy a Alpha Camera/lens bundle. This lens puts to shame any of the Sony "kit" lenses as far as clarity, detail, sharpness, and fast auto focus. This is a real piece of glass, a lens that you will keep on your camera most of the time. It is a must have for your lens bag if you are serious about photography, regardless of the price tag...it's well worth it.

Camphoto614

2009-08-13T20:00:00

This is a nice lens that covers an attractive zoom range. It is nice and sharp all around with good colour and contrast. A good walk-around lens. But at this price the build is a little embarrassing. The zoom creeps down when only slightly turned downward. Sony should fix this problem.

BillyBilly123

Originally posted at

2009-06-19T20:00:00

I recently picked up a 300K and immediately decided to upgrade the kit lens (sold it on Amazon for $75). After careful research it came down to this or the 16-105. I tried out both and the 16-80 won out for slightly better all round performance in all areas - sharpness, color, focus speed, weight and general feel. If you're a photo enthusiast who is just getting into DSLR photography and still uses the Auto settings on the camera, this is probably the 'one' lens to have on the alpha system. Clearly at this price sony has optimized it for performance while sacrificing some of the build quality that would have come with making it all metal (like the 24-70). However, I think the light weight and the build fits perfectly with the 300K. In fact the 300K + CZ 16-8 is probably the best performing DSLR at the price range on the planet right now!

Jaffrey

Originally posted at

2009-06-11T20:00:00

I really tried to do my research before I made the leap for this lens. I read some good reviews, but also read some bad reviews on it. After finally buying it and using for my last 5 photo shoots (weddings and engagement), I am sold. I use this with my a700 and get crystal clear shots everytime. The colors it produces are vibrant and rich. It is a bit heavier than any other lens I've worked with, but it's also a lot mor sturdy and well built compared to other lenses. Very glad I purchased this lens.

tcabrales

Originally posted at

2009-04-25T21:00:00

This lens stays on my Sony A700 90 percent of the time.

RLQ