Sony G SEL1655G 16-55mm
A constant f/2.8 aperture across the 16-55mm zoom range pairs with four aspherical and three ED elements for sharp, high-contrast images on APS-C bodies. Its 494g weather-sealed build and fast XD Linear Motor autofocus make it a portable, durable workhorse that handles quickly in changing conditions. This lens is best for travel and landscape photographers who need a single, bright zoom covering 24-82.5mm equivalent without the bulk of full-frame glass.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong af (98th percentile) 98th
- Strong optical (96th percentile) 96th
- Strong social proof (92th percentile) 92th
- Strong versatility (85th percentile) 85th
Cons
- Below average aperture (24th percentile)
- Below average bokeh (28th percentile)
- Below average macro (29th percentile)
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.
Based on 46 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 | 55 |
| Elements | 17 |
| Groups | 12 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4 |
| ED Elements | 3 |
| Coating | Nano AR Coating and Fluorine Coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 kg / 1.1 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 67 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | XD Linear Motor |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 330 |
| Max Magnification | 0.2x |
vs Competition
| Spec | Sony G SEL1655G 16-55mm | Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS | Canon RF RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM | Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD | Panasonic LUMIX S S-R28200 | Nikon NIKKOR AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 16-55mm | 16-300mm | 28-70mm | 18-300mm | 28-200mm | 16-85mm |
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/3.5 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/4 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E | Canon RF | Fujifilm X | L-Mount | Nikon F |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | false | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 494 | 615 | 495 | 92 | 413 | 59 |
| AF Type | XD Linear Motor | HLA | STM | VXD linear motor | Autofocus | AF-S |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | macro | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Af | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony G SEL1655G 16-55mm | 98 | 27.7 | 67.4 | 29.2 | 95.9 | 24 | 84.8 | 91.8 | 35.6 |
| Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS Compare | 54.8 | 83.8 | 58 | 86.6 | 98.8 | 76.5 | 99.6 | 83 | 99.1 |
| Canon RF RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM Compare | 85.4 | 85.8 | 67.3 | 77.5 | 84.4 | 83.5 | 77.4 | 88 | 98.2 |
| Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Compare | 98 | 74.5 | 96.3 | 88.4 | 73.7 | 76.5 | 99.2 | 83 | 80.5 |
| Panasonic LUMIX S S-R28200 Compare | 54.8 | 77.4 | 74 | 89.5 | 90.9 | 71 | 95.6 | 75.4 | 99.4 |
| Nikon NIKKOR AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Compare | 54.8 | 74.5 | 98.4 | 59.7 | 64.2 | 76.5 | 94.3 | 88 | 92.3 |
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
