Sony FE SEL1625G 16-25mm
A constant f/2.8 aperture across a 16-25mm range, an 11-blade diaphragm, and a 409g build make this a compact ultra-wide zoom. Fast linear motor autofocus and dust/moisture sealing deliver reliable performance in varied conditions. Best suited for professional photographers and videographers who need a lightweight, weather-resistant wide-angle lens for action and low-light work.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
Price fell to $858. Score fell to 71. Fresh competition from Sigma, Tamron, and Viltrox makes this a tougher sell unless you catch it on sale.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews — so you can see whether early praise held up.
- Q2 202683/100
Buyers praise the lens as lightweight, compact, and versatile for gimbal use and vlogging. However, one verified buyer returned it due to sharpness and bokeh not meeting GM or prime lens standards.
- Excellent for real estate, vlog, and gimbal use; reduces back strain compared to heavier setups.
- Lightweight, compact design with good ergonomics; well-suited for travel and hiking.
- Sharpness and bokeh praised by most but criticized by a buyer who preferred a prime lens.
- Quiet autofocus, low distortion, good macro capabilities, and pleasant sun stars.
- Q1 202683/100
Buyers praise this lens as sharp, lightweight, and excellent value compared to GM alternatives, ideal for street, landscape, and astro.
- Sharpness and image quality excellent for photo and video.
- Lightweight design praised for portability and small setups.
- Great value versus GM and Sigma alternatives with fewer IQ issues.
- Versatile for wide-angle uses: street, landscape, astrophotography.
- Q3 202567/100
Buyers rave about the lens's sharpness, value, and compactness, but one reviewer returned it twice due to limited focal range.
- Sharp, contrasty image quality praised as phenomenal for the size and price.
- Great value for wide-angle zoom, especially for real estate and low light.
- Compact and lightweight design appreciated, but not enough to keep the lens.
- Limited focal range led to two returns, despite excellent build and optics.
- Q3 202467/100
Buyers praise the lens for its lightweight design, excellent sharpness, and travel suitability, though some note a minor zoom extension.
- Exceptional sharpness corner-to-corner in various conditions including night shots.
- Extremely lightweight and durable, ideal for travel kits.
- Minor zoom extension when zooming out, unlike other zooms.
- Great for pairing with primes for a versatile, lightweight travel kit.
Based on 61 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 16 |
| Focal Length Max | 25 |
| Elements | 16 |
| Groups | 13 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3 |
| ED Elements | 3 |
| Coating | Fluorine coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | 22 |
| Min Aperture | 2.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11 |
Build
| Mount | Sony E |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 kg / 0.9 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 67 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 180 |
| Max Magnification | 0.2x |
vs Competition
| Spec | Sony FE SEL1625G 16-25mm | Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS | Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD | Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR | Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 | Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 16-25mm | 16-300mm | 18-300mm | 28-400mm | 50-200mm | 18-135mm |
| Max Aperture | 22 | f/3.5 | f/3.5 | f/4 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E | Fuji X | Nikon Z | Micro Four Thirds | Canon EF-S |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | false | true | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 409 | 615 | 92 | 726 | 655 | 515 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | HLA | VXD linear motor | STM | linear motor | STM |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | telephoto | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Af | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony FE SEL1625G 16-25mm | 54.9 | 40.8 | 74.3 | 38.6 | 93.5 | 24.5 | 80.8 | 68.5 | 91.7 | 35.9 |
| Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS Compare | 54.9 | 84.6 | 58.3 | 85.9 | 98.9 | 77.5 | 0 | 99.6 | 78 | 99 |
| Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Compare | 98.2 | 75.5 | 96.4 | 87.8 | 74.3 | 77.5 | 30.3 | 99.2 | 83.1 | 81.1 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR Compare | 86.6 | 78.4 | 50.8 | 81.2 | 97 | 71.8 | 0 | 98.9 | 83.1 | 98.2 |
| Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 Compare | 98.2 | 86.4 | 54.6 | 22.8 | 95.9 | 84.1 | 91.7 | 88.3 | 65.9 | 96.3 |
| Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Compare | 86.6 | 75.5 | 46.6 | 33.2 | 79.8 | 77.5 | 0 | 96 | 78 | 92.5 |
Price
Value & Pricing
The price drop to $858 at the low end makes this a much easier pill to swallow. You're still getting a solid lens for the money, but the overall score dip to 71 means you need to weigh that savings against some clear compromises. It's no longer the standout deal it once was, just a fair one.
Read more
Verdict
A price cut helps, but a 12-point score drop stings. New rivals like the Sigma 16-300mm and Tamron 18-300mm offer more range and modern features. The Viltrox 13mm F1.4 is a sharper wide-angle pick. This lens now feels like a niche choice for someone who values its specific character over raw performance or versatility.
