Sony 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS E-mount lens review by nicols

nicols#11561 date: Dec-27-2013
sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 3 flare control: 4 overall: 4	tested on: film camera: APS-C: 6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP; 16MP; 20MP; 24MP full frame: 12MP; 24MP; 36MP; 42MP; 61MP
ownership:	I own this lens
compared to:	Standard 1855 e mount kit lens
price paid:	210 GBP
positive:	Very compact Quiet power zoom with fast and slow adjustment Acceptable IQ
negative:	Pronounced distortion at 16mm Relatively slow aperture
comment:	This lens gets a bad press because it's IQ is far from class leading but this lens is all about size - it's a lightweight pancake zoom for travelling light. It's acceptably sharp for most purposes. Sony really pushed the design to its limits to make this 16mm at the wide end and it shows through in the pretty massive distortion. Whilst I seldom choose to use it over a prime, I almost always carry it with me as a flexible backup lens option.