Sony 16-50mm f/2.8 Standard Zoom Lens for Sony A-Mount Cameras

Sony DT 16-50mm/2.8 SSM replaces Sony DT 18-55mm/3.5-5.6 (SAL1855 DT SAM) in my inventory of lenses. The 18-55 was the kit lens for my Sony A55. I had two main and one "nice to have" reasons to go for it:1- Larger (and constant) aperture, f/2.8, throughout the zoom range.2- SSM over SAM for those moments especially when the choice is video recording.3- This is a parfocal lens. In other words, it will maintain focus across focal lengths when zooming in/out.The negatives, especially compared to the 18-55, are that it is substantially chunkier and heavier. In fact, it is nearly identical in both regards to my travel zoom lens (Sigma 18-250mm/3.5-6.3 HSM). But it is the kind of tradeoff we can look for, with a constant large aperture, SSM and all those elements with 72mm threads. The additional benefit of the large glass to me was that I could now share 72mm filters between three of my primary lenses (Sony 16-50/2.8 SSM, Sigma 18-250/3.5-6.3 HSM and Minolta 200/2.8 APO G HS).The build quality and feel is exceptional. IMO, this lens would easily qualify for a "G" lens. Probably the only thing that gets in the way of that recognition is that it was designed for APS-C cameras. My limited experience so far points at great image quality, sharpness, colors and a good bokeh. I have added a few sample photographs (significantly downsized). None of them are processed in any way (other than a significant downsizing in size). I also tried to see any signs of chromatic aberration, inside and out, against bright lights, wide open at extreme ends of the zoom, but did not see any. Flare issue, however, can be regarded as moderate if the sun is slightly to the side. So the included hood will find use. Flare is appears to be well controlled when looking straight into the sun. It also has an excellent MFD (less than a foot), with a magnification ratio of 1:5.Some will find maximum zoom at 50mm to be limiting. My personal take on the subject is that greater zoom will require greater compromise. I see this as a "flexible prime" with design focus being on good performance over 16-35mm. That beats carrying a 24mm prime or 35mm prime or both, or a 50mm prime as well. Sure, it would be great to have the zoom reach out to 70mm, but surely not at the expense of compromise to the more useful 16-35mm range. For longer zooms, I could go with the 18-250 anyway.So, why bother with 16-50, if one has 18-250 or a lens like that? The Sigma zoom has the reach for sure, and good picture quality between 24-50mm. But it is slow. The largest aperture at 18mm is f/3.5 which jumps to f/5.0 at 50mm. So, the 16-50 wins by a significant margin in low light performance. It also goes wider (16mm versus 18mm) which can be important in landscape and especially indoor photography as sometimes taking two steps back is not an option. Something more important is that at their widest focal lengths, the Sony seems better at distortion.Outside of budget constraints, IMO, it makes for a good walk around lens. Not great? Well, it would be, if we can get past the weight and size! But certainly beats carrying multiple primes, much less changing lenses.

This lens is a substantial upgrade to the kit 18-55mm kit lens that comes with the A65 and it is worth the money as it practically gives you an entirely new camera to work with. This review will focus on the key differences between this lens and the kit lens, and is really aimed at the non-expert.Pros vs Kit lens:1) The image quality is flat out better than the kit lens. Colors are a bit brighter, contrast and sharpness are improved. Not dramatic but definitely noticeable.2) Max Aperture of F2.8 vs the kit lens F3.5-5.6. allowing a faster shutter speed or a lower ISO with the same lighting conditions. At the wide angel, this lens will be twice as fast. At telephoto, it will be 4 times faster. This makes a huge difference in indoor photography especially if you have a fast moving subject like a child.3) The F2.8 aperture gives better background blur (called bokeh) and this lens's bokeh is quite pleasing. This makes photos look much, much more professional and allows you to really focus in on your subject.4) Focusing is incredibly fast and silent. After shooting 2000 or so pictures with this lens, I am yet to have the camera hunt for the focus.5) The focus ring has zero play and turns with just the right amount of force to allow accurate focusing.6) Full time manual focusing lets you quickly adjust the focus in the rare case when the camera focuses on the wrong thing.7) Exceptional zoom smoothness and feel which allows smooth, steady zooming during video while the kit lens is much harder to do this with.8) The A65 and A77 are designed to work with this lens and will correct most of it's flaws even in RAW shooting. This removes almost all distortion (weird head shapes on the edge of the frame)Cons:1) This lens is pretty heavy, it weighs in right around a pound. I recommend grabbing a hand strap and ditching the neck strap if you are going to be using this mostly inside. Here is the one I have and I have loved it. Opteka Professional Wrist Grip Strap for Digital & Film SLR Cameras2) It's bulkier so you might have to get a different camera bag.Again, this lens is a HUGE upgrade over the kit lens. You will get much more professional quality of results and be able to take pictures in much more challenging lighting compared to the A65 kit lens.Oh and if you are thinking about getting the Tamron or Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 lenses. Don't bother. They don't have the in camera correction and the focusing is not nearly as accurate. The result is that you can't use it for taking pictures at the wide end in anything which has a straight line or definite geometry.

I shoot the a58 and woth this glass the results are very very good! Look at it like this the camera controls your grain and color depth,and the lens is that sharpness you look for in every photo.There is no need to waste money on an expensive body if you only take pictures of families.in fact I found this lens not only is sharp but has very near silent performance ! This lens brings out the unknown potential of an entry-mid level camera! At 20.1 mp you can shoot anything! Mp are your print and enlargement tool thats it,put the money in this lens not an expensive body.the zoom swithch is handy for not turning lens when you dont mean too.the lens is huge like hold out your hand look at your palm and that is this lens!it takes 72mm threads so the 45-55 filters look like toys next to this.The build is high end,yea its not all metal but its heavy enough without it! You are holding your moneys worth in this lens! If you want light this isnt for you,if you want photoshop quality not for you..but you want pro gear tada! The lens cap is plastic the body is platic,ruber,and metal. The front doesnt move with focusing,the inside the middle controls focusing! Just buy it stop being scared or cheap,its expensive you can save and do way better than anyone with nikkon or canon! I shoot professionally and this is great,here is my formula;excellent editing, great glass,good camera,ok price point. Buy it or not your good or bad choice. Its clarity is unmatched by any kit in the 2.8 aperature! Buy with a57,a58,65! Use fotodiox adapter to save money and use on nex 3nl,5t,6,and 7 a5000,5100,and 6000. Use yn560ii flash on a58 it is a manual flash but crazy easy to use! Use lightroom 5 for editing and happy hunting,after all it is called shooting photos!