Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS 50mm
Tamron Di III 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
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
Tamron Di III 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
The Tamron 150-500mm lens is widely praised for its sharpness, fast autofocus, and excellent value compared to native telephoto zooms. Many users appreciate the extra reach and image quality, though the weight is a common concern, especially for handheld use. Some reviewers note trade-offs in low-light performance and stabilization, and a few report compatibility issues with teleconverters or defective copies.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Great value for money
- Extra reach over 100-400mm
- Effective image stabilization (VC)
Cons
- Heavy for handheld use
- Average low-light performance
- Stabilization not as good as native lenses
- No teleconverter compatibility
- Some copies may be defective
Scores
Specifications
| Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS 50mm | Tamron Di III 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | super-telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 16 mm | 150 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 50 mm | 500 mm |
| Elements | 9 | 25 |
| Groups | 8 | 16 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 1 | 5★ |
| Coating | — | BBAR-G2 and fluorine coatings |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/5 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | 5-6.7 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Fujifilm X |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.11 kg★ | 1.73 kg |
| Filter Thread | 41 mm | 82 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | VXD linear autofocus motor |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 250 mm★ | 600 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.215x | 1:3.1★ |
Pros & Cons
Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS 50mm
- Strong build (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong stabilization (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong versatility (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Strong social proof (81st percentile)81st %ile
Tamron Di III 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
- Strong optical (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong versatility (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Strong stabilization (80th percentile)80th %ile
- Below average build (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average social proof (25th percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (30th percentile)
Pricing
Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS 50mm offers 8.3x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 90 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 22 specs.
