Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS 50mm
Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye 4mm
What Buyers Say
Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS 50mm
The Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM lens is a notable upgrade from the kit 18-55mm, offering a constant fast aperture, silent autofocus, and superior image quality. Users praise its sharpness, bokeh, and build, though they note it is heavier and bulkier. A few refurbished units had minor scratches or early malfunction, but overall the lens is highly recommended for Sony Alpha APS-C cameras.
Pros
- Constant F2.8 aperture
- Fast and silent autofocus
- Excellent image sharpness and contrast
- Pleasing bokeh
- Solid build quality
Cons
- Heavy and bulky
- Some units have early malfunctions
- Not compatible with full-frame cameras
- Moderate flare issue
- Limited zoom range to 50mm
Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye 4mm
The Laowa 4mm f/2.8 fisheye is a fun, ultra-wide lens that delivers a unique circular image at a very low price. Users praise its sharpness and build quality, but note that it requires careful handling to avoid including fingers, grips, or lens markings in the frame. Compatibility with full-frame cameras is limited, often requiring cropping, and manual focus can be tricky. Overall, it's seen as a great value for creative or occasional use.
Pros
- Very low price
- Unique circular fisheye image
- Sharp image quality
- Fun and creative perspective
- Compact and sturdy build
Cons
- Fingers and grip visible in frame
- Manual focus can be tricky
- Limited compatibility with full-frame cameras
- Requires cropping to remove black edges
- Lens markings appear in images
Scores
Specifications
| Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS 50mm | Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye 4mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | fisheye |
| Focal Length Min | 16 mm | 4 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 50 mm | 4 mm |
| Elements | 9 | 7 |
| Groups | 8 | 6 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | — |
| ED Elements | 1★ | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Nikon Z |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.11 kg★ | 0.14 kg |
| Filter Thread | 41 mm | — |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 250 mm | 80 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.215x | 1:9.09★ |
Pros & Cons
Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS 50mm
- Strong build (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong versatility (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Strong aperture (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye 4mm
- Strong macro (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong build (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Below average optical (4th percentile)4th %ile
- Below average af (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (17th percentile)17th %ile
- Below average bokeh (32nd percentile)
Pricing
Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS 50mm offers 3.3x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 90 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 21 specs.