Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

Sony
88 Overall Score
vs
Viltrox 25mm f/1.7 Z 25mm

Viltrox 25mm f/1.7 Z 25mm

Viltrox
86 Overall Score

What Buyers Say

Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

85 out of 100 medium confidence 22 reviews

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
👍 Image quality 9
👍 Build quality 8
👍 Autofocus performance 5
👎 Weight and size 6
👍 Value for money 4
🤔 Refurbished condition 6

Viltrox 25mm f/1.7 Z 25mm

85 out of 100 medium confidence 13 reviews

The Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 lens for Fuji X mount is widely praised for its sharpness, fast and quiet autofocus, and excellent build quality relative to its budget price. Users note it resolves 40MP sensors well and produces beautiful bokeh, though some wish it had an aperture ring with click stops and mention it is heavier than comparable lenses. A few isolated issues include receiving the wrong hood and one copy lacking sharpness compared to the Viltrox 35mm Air lens.

Pros
  • Excellent sharpness
  • Fast and quiet autofocus
  • Great build quality for the price
  • Beautiful bokeh
  • Resolves 40MP sensors well
Cons
  • No aperture ring with click stops
  • Heavier than comparable lenses
  • Sharpness drops in corners
  • Some copies less sharp than Viltrox 35mm Air
  • Wrong hood received in one case
👍 Sharpness 8
👍 Autofocus performance 4
👍 Build quality 5
👍 Value for money 6
👎 Aperture ring 3
👎 Weight 3

Scores

Travel
Sony
99
Viltrox
69
Street
Sony
89
Viltrox
96
Portrait
Sony
83
Viltrox
95
Budget
Sony
90
Viltrox
84
Video Cinema
Sony
85
Viltrox
82
Wildlife Sports
Sony
84
Viltrox
69
Landscape
Sony
79
Viltrox
59
Professional
Sony
77
Viltrox
73
Macro
Sony
66
Viltrox
69

Specifications

Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSSViltrox 25mm f/1.7 Z 25mm
Optics
Typezoomprime
Focal Length Min16 mm25 mm
Focal Length Max50 mm25 mm
Elements910
Groups812
Aspherical Elements4★2
ED Elements11
Coating—HD Multilayer Nano Coating
Aperture
Max Aperturef/3.5f/1.7
Min Aperture3.5-5.6f/1.7
Constant✗✗
Diaphragm Blades79★
Build
MountSony ENikon Z
FormatAPS-CAPS-C
Weather Sealed✓★✗
Weight0.11 kg★0.18 kg
Filter Thread41 mm52 mm
AF & Stabilization
AF TypeAutofocusSTM★
Stabilization✓✓
Stabilization Stops4 stops★—
Focus
Min Focus Distance250 mm★300 mm
Max Magnification0.215x0.25x★

Pros & Cons

Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

  • 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

Viltrox 25mm f/1.7 Z 25mm

  • Strong bokeh (96th percentile)96th %ile
  • Strong aperture (96th percentile)96th %ile
  • Strong build (87th percentile)87th %ile
  • Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
  • Below average versatility (34th percentile)

Verdict

═ Tie

Both products are closely matched - Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS wins 5 specs while Viltrox 25mm f/1.7 Z 25mm wins 3.

Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Better at:

BudgetTravelLandscapeProfessionalVideo CinemaWildlife Sports

Viltrox 25mm f/1.7 Z 25mm Better at:

MacroStreetPortrait