Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G Review - Worth the $$$?

[@daniellmiller]

Just got mine a week ago and I took it on vacation. I’m a working pro and this lens is amazing! I have full frame, APS-C and MFT bodies. After seeing the images from this lens I’m blown away. I’m using it on an a6400 so now this will be my carry anywhere camera. What a perfect size package!

[@CrimeFighter92]

I sold my a6400 to buy this.. now I can't take pictures anymore

[@StefanMalloch]

Cart before the horse..

[@trym2121]

You can buy nex3 to get picture again

[@DennisMeetsWorld]

😂😂😂😂

[@yellit1975]

I’m a hobbyist and I have the A6400 and recently bought this lens. Completely agree with you about the pricing but I’m finding that it’s pretty much the only lens that I’m using as it is so versatile. If this had been available when I bought my A6000, I wouldn’t have spent money on the 16mm, 30mm and 50mm prime lenses that are now sitting on a shelf not being used.

[@StefanMalloch]

You're right! I can replace a few lenses for people.

[@SideshowBob44]

How is it everyday with no OSS? I assume it's fine as people use the Sigma trio and they have no OSS and the same focal range as this.

[@dirkwichgers6289]

A6500 has IBIS. I won't disagree with the comments about the price. But for many including myself it's not a bad choice for the money. Considering it's the only mid zoom constant 2.8, at least it does perform up to its price

[@StefanMalloch]

Of course it does! I meant to say of the newer cameras. 6100,6400,6600. Thanks for the feedback!

[@StefanMalloch]

Great to see Sony adding some lenses to the APS-C line! What are you shooting with? ***Correction*** (Thanks Dirk) Of course the a6500 has IBIS. I should have said the newer aps-c's.. 6100,6400,6600.

[@rsharpeee2962]

Thanks for this

[@lovegames8530]

Full Frame for life!

[@BRCPres1]

Another great review, sir. I bought this lens for my a6600 body, and immediately fell in love with it. The lens performs well in low light, especially with the camera in the Multi Frame NR mode. While the lens does not have IBIS, the camera IBIS does perform adequately for me. I do agree that the sticker price of the lens, coupled with the high price of the a6600 was tough to swallow.

[@charruaporelmundo]

If a6500, this lens and the future coming tamron 70180 f2.8 is all what you would need.

[@oliversteiner6389]

I think it's a great lens and the price has already dropped considerably at some resellers. Some distortion and vignetting are the price you pay for keeping size and weight down while keeping the image quality up, apart from that. Otherwise this lens would be way bigger, or way more expensive.. A lens always is a compromise but I think this one is more than acceptable.

[@gamerguy655]

Hey man thanks for another one!

[@gotchie1591]

I bought this 16-55 F2.8 few weeks ago. And the lens is sharp!. Btw. Piece of advise dont buy any filter/protection glass in front of the lens. Because it will make your 16mm /F2.8 shoot to have Vignetting effect. And is quite hard to correct in light room.. but the lens is worth it though. Super light and sharp.👍

[@hughjohns9110]

What I'd really like to see is a 16-55 (or thereabouts) full frame lens, even if it were only f4. Hope you're reading this, Sony. Carry two lenses instead of three with my 70-200.

[@geirjohannesen667]

Over the years I have tried the Sony/Zeiss 16-70mm f4, the 18-105mm f4 G and the 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 + the Tamron 28-75 on my A7 III. Ended up selling all of it. This lens will stay. I agree that one should expect OSS at the price, though.

[@frankfeng2701]

It'd have been a fair price before Tamron 28-75 or Sony 24-105.

[@pf4773]

Thanks for your vlog. Did you purchase this lens, borrow it for the vlog, or was it given to you in return for this vlog? I skimmed the vlog so don't know if you addressed this question directly. I use a sony a6000 and more recently purchased the sony A6600. I'm particularly happy with these camera bodies because so many generic lens makers, such as Sigma and Meike, are making lenses that are as good or better than Sony's own lenses. Right now, on Amazon, this lens is selling for $1300.00 NOT counting tax or the extended warranty. Sony also makes a very inexpensive (compared to this lens) 18-135mm fantastic travel zoom. Their kit lens, 18-55mm is also excellent. Now, let's look at the notion of cost vs benefit. If this lens costs double or triple what other lenses run the quality of the image MUST be twice as good to make the benefit equal to the cost. But, of course, at best these expensive lenses are maybe on a par with or possibly 5% to 10% better in image quality than lenses costing 1/2 of their high retail price. So, given this, it is so important for professionals wishing to review ANY expensive lens, to compare it with side by side image results with less expensive, alternative lenses. That way I as a viewer know that the vlog is an objective review. Thanks and keep posting!

[@StefanMalloch]

Thanks Paul. Unless I say otherwise, I buy every lens myself!

[@eliaspap8708]

Looks like Sony just copying Fujis lens 16-55 f2.8, maybe we should side by side comparison?

[@jmackultra]

You were pretty kind when it came to value. It's not a good value but it's better than it's competition. It's as sharp as the Sigma trio

[@Vince1648]

1.4 vs 2.8 is quite a difference though. I'd take the Sigma trio over this Sony.

[@jmackultra]

@@Vince1648 that's fair. I didn't get rid of my Sigma 16mm or the 30mm. But 2.8 for most of my uses is fast enough so when I'm trying to be more minimalist that's the move

This sony is sharper than sigma 16 and 30 f1.4 and very similar to sigma 56 f1.4. One lens against three, I would say that the sony wins

[@Assassinfunches]

I’m a tad confused, I’m new to photography. I noticed in the video you are shooting at more than just f2.8. I thought this lens could ONLY shot in f2.8? Or is this just as small as it can go?

[@loiszak7458]

This lens is a constant aperture lens, meaning it can be opened wide (2.8) across the entire zoom range of 16-55, but you can also stop it down to a minimum aperture of f22 across the zoom range. Think of the numbers inversely... the smaller the number, the lens is "wide open" allowing in more light; the larger the number, the lens allows in less light. A variable aperture lens does not have the ability to stay wide open (small f-stop number) across the zoom range.

[@Assassinfunches]

@@loiszak7458 perfect bro, thanks!

[@jackodon74]

No doubting the quality of the lens but it should of been released a few years ago. Sony spent all there time developing FF lenses and forgot about APSC. The price is a joke though This should be selling at £799 Sterling no more. Fuji 18-55 F2.8-4 much better value than this, for me Fuji still have the APSC edge on Sony simply because of the glass available.

[@joejayno]

Awesome lens and video

[@davidhorak3626]

what do you think of this lens on a7c? I know its an aps-c Lens, but I like the weight and ergonomics on it.

[@DJNibz]

Huge fan of your reviews man! I'm looking for a versatile lens like this for travel! Do you think this lens is worth it when paired with a Sony a6100 (w/ no IBIS) for solely photography?

[@StefanMalloch]

I always personally always like to have some form of IS but it is a great lens and the AF in the 6100 is killer. If you plan to stick to crop, its a great lens to invest in. Maybe invest in the a6600 later or the next gen and still have a great lens. 😉

[@DJNibz]

Stefan Malloch appreciate the quick response! Yeah, since I’m more of just a hobbyist I can’t see myself investing in full frame in the near future. I’m definitely gonna go with this lens then, thanks 👍🏽

[@jkphoto007]

So is it better than the Tamron or Sigma equal?

[@StefanMalloch]

More expensive than both and for me personally, I would take either one over this.

[@hunterxhunter6957]

I been using this lens for night landscape photography on sony a7riv incredible lens!!

[@Ahmadhammourii]

is there anything better than this lense for the a6400 aspc system if money is not an object but top quality is .

[@GilbertTV]

fair review if it was 500 bucks it wold be better

[@clarification007]

I think you don't like very much the APS-C format camera. Your comments sounds like that. That lens is classified by others guys score as 8.5/10 on average.

[@alansarpy]

When will you review the 100-400 Gm ? I just sold my 70-200f4 to put towards it !

[@StefanMalloch]

Few more weeks but honestly just buy it dude haha

[@gericsonmarcelo8105]

is it ok to use in sony a7iv ?

[@2bethetraveller955]

For this price should I buy two lens likes fe 85 mm f1.8 and sigma 16 mm f1.4 ..I used a6600 and I have 35 mm f1.8..u have any advice?

[@blisteringherb]

At what price would you consider this lens to be an “Absolute Buy”?

[@MageshSridhar_55]

$900?

[@mrmaninblackwebbs9231]

you're wrong, the @6500 also has IBIS

[@hungrydickens]

I have the sony 18-105mm and a sigma 16mm, should I sell them and get this or keep them both and add this

[@andreklooster6058]

I have the same 2 lenses for my A6400, and the same question ..

[@enancovers]

Same problem right now 😂😂

[@stevenguzy570]

Stephan, love how you present. I have an A7RII with the 24-105 f4 G as my go to everyday lens. As Im getting older I am thinking of downsizing. I love the image quality of my setup and up until now I have not found a zoom lens that compares to the image quality of what I have for Sony apps-c. This lens appears to maybe have come a lot closer. My question; am I still going see the difference in image quality or has Sony finally bridged the gap? I have always seen a huge difference in my images from my a6000 and whatever lens I used and the A7RII with even the kit lens.

[@saifaldin_]

I bought the A6000 when it came out, and now shooting with an A6600. I also have this particular zoom lens. In terms of image quality between the these two bodies, they’re actually about the same. Having said that, the newer bodies does bring improvements that will get you better photos (AF accuracy in low light for example) The newer lenses however, are much sharper than those sold during the A6000 days. This particular lens is sharper than most Sony aps-c lenses. I would say sharper than a 35mm f1.8 oss, and similar to a 50mm f1.8 in the centre. Corners are sharper on this zoom lens. The aberrations are better controlled too (blooming, LoCA etc)

[@stevenguzy570]

@@saifaldin_ THANKS SAIF!

[@saifaldin_]

@@stevenguzy570 My pleasure.. I’ve shot with a lot of lenses on my Sony aps-c bodies (more than 15), and I can say that the introduction of these newer lenses - starting with the Sigma f1.4 trio, then the 16-55g and 70-350g, have breathed new life to the cameras. All the lenses I had before (although were good lenses) didn’t even come close to what these 24mp sensors are able to resolve.

[@stevenguzy570]

@@saifaldin_ I hear that. My dilemma is that I want to downsize but the cost to switch is just too much at this point in time. I'm going to have to go with some small primes on my A7r2 or even the 28-60, which is not bad at all, especially on the A7r2. Maybe a 35mm? That a7r2 has just some outstanding resolving power it's hard to give up

[@saifaldin_]

@@stevenguzy570 I’d say going with primes is a good way to reduce the weight. The bodies, though heavier than aps-c ones are closer to your hand.. it’s the length of the lenses, that amplify their weights over time.

[@RafaelPortoMediaServices]

In an ideal world what do you think would be a fair price for the lens? I just see some sales, but have no idea...

[@nicholassmith7723]

Anything sub $1000. The lens isn't for everyone's needs, but it's a great all rounder. If you could only afford or only want to carry one lens for sony crop bodies, this is probably the best choice.

[@seken2nun]

Wow, this lens cost more than the Tamron 28-75 and the new Sigma 24-70 FE

[@StefanMalloch]

Right!?

[@dubanhernandocastanedamora7196]

Well I consider to buy when I would win the lottery.

[@samstringerphoto360]

Can you us this on a7iii ?

[@StefanMalloch]

In crop mode yes. But why?

[@nikhilreddyguda9411]

May I know if you would recommend this at $1000

[@StefanMalloch]

A great lens and not many comparables for apsc. If you plan to go to full frame, maybe consider a full frame lens for now and deal with the crop.

[@DCmite1]

Tamron ftw

[@MyPortugueseCulture]

New Sony 16-55 lense for $1249 or open box for 1149

[@makaveli2989]

i would rather have the sigma trio. a bit sharper, F1.4, and cheaper.

[@DennisMeetsWorld]

Same

[@ksv7707]

Can you use this lens with the a7iii

[@StefanMalloch]

Only in crop mode. (10mp)

[@balraftanys]

this RGB build is disturbing

[@abzdrive]

Great video, thanks! I have sony 16-70 f4 and and not satisfied with it, still cant decide to purchase this lens or not (( I wish it would cost 1000$

[@StefanMalloch]

Check for sales! Its a tough buy for me because of the price too!

[@CO8848_2]

Sigma 18-35 f1.8 instead

[@StefanMalloch]

That one isint a native Sony lens unfortunately.

[@nicholassmith7723]

@@StefanMalloch We can all dream for the day when they add that to their Sony mount lenses

[@thinkingape7655]

This is pricy considering it’s at actually a f/4 lens. Gotta apply the crop factor to the aperture too. Good review 👍

[@pedromesquita8507]

Does that apply to apperture?