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

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

Sony
89 Overall Score
vs
Nikon NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4 35mm

Nikon NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4 35mm

Nikon
75 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

Nikon NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4 35mm

85 out of 100 low confidence 5 reviews

Users praise this 35mm f/1.4 lens for its sharpness, character, and value, especially for low-light and portrait work on Nikon Z cameras. While it shows some chromatic aberration and softness wide open, these imperfections are easily corrected in post and add a desirable "3D pop." The build quality is considered adequate, and autofocus speed is satisfactory. Overall, it is highly recommended for those seeking a lens with character rather than clinical perfection.

Pros
  • Sharpness
  • Character and 3D pop
  • Great value for money
  • Excellent for low light
  • Good autofocus speed
Cons
  • Chromatic aberration wide open
  • Softness at f/1.4
  • Not as sharp as S-line lenses
  • Plastic build feel
  • No weather sealing
👍 Sharpness 4
👎 Chromatic aberration 3
👍 Character and rendering 3
👍 Value for money 2
🤔 Build quality 2
👍 Autofocus speed 2

Scores

Travel
Sony
94
Nikon
55
Street
Sony
88
Nikon
75
Portrait
Sony
83
Nikon
88
Budget
Sony
86
Nikon
69
Video Cinema
Sony
85
Nikon
82
Wildlife Sports
Sony
83
Nikon
59
Landscape
Sony
79
Nikon
61
Professional
Sony
76
Nikon
77
Macro
Sony
66
Nikon
57

Specifications

Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSSNikon NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4 35mm
Optics
Typezoomprime
Focal Length Min16 mm35 mm
Focal Length Max50 mm35 mm
Elements911
Groups89
Aspherical Elements4★1
ED Elements12★
Coating—Super Integrated Coating
Aperture
Max Aperturef/3.5f/1.4
Min Aperture3.5-5.6f/1.4
Constant✗✓★
Diaphragm Blades79★
Build
MountSony ENikon Z
FormatAPS-Cfull-frame★
Weather Sealed✓✓
Weight0.11 kg★0.41 kg
Filter Thread41 mm62 mm
AF & Stabilization
AF TypeAutofocusSilent Wave Motor
Stabilization✓★✗
Stabilization Stops4 stops★—
Focus
Min Focus Distance250 mm★270 mm
Max Magnification0.215x★0.18x

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 (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
  • Strong social proof (81st percentile)81st %ile

Nikon NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4 35mm

  • Strong aperture (97th percentile)97th %ile
  • Strong bokeh (97th percentile)97th %ile
  • Strong build (77th percentile)
  • Strong social proof (77th percentile)
  • Below average versatility (34th percentile)

Pricing

Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS is ¥83,373 cheaper (3.6x less).

Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS0.003score per dollar
vs
Nikon NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4 35mm0.001score per dollar

Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS offers 3.0x better value for money

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

Nikon NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4 35mm

Verdict

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

Scores 89 overall, wins 7 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 22 specs.

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

MacroBudgetStreetTravelLandscapeVideo CinemaWildlife Sports

Nikon NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4 35mm Better at:

Portrait

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