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
Sigma EX DC 30mm f/1.4 EX DC 30mm

Sigma EX DC 30mm f/1.4 EX DC 30mm

Sigma
71 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

Sigma EX DC 30mm f/1.4 EX DC 30mm

82 out of 100 high confidence 245 reviews

The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, fast f/1.4 aperture, and beautiful bokeh, making it a favorite for low-light and portrait photography on APS-C cameras. Users consistently highlight its solid build quality and excellent value for money. However, some reviewers report inconsistent autofocus, particularly at longer distances, and occasional chromatic aberration or vignetting wide open. A few copies have exhibited noisy or unreliable AF motors, especially in video mode.

Pros
  • Exceptional sharpness
  • Fast f/1.4 aperture
  • Beautiful bokeh
  • Solid build quality
  • Excellent value for money
Cons
  • Inconsistent autofocus at distance
  • Chromatic aberration wide open
  • Vignetting wide open
  • Noisy AF motor in some copies
  • Soft corners at f/1.4
👍 Image quality 45
🤔 Autofocus performance 30
👍 Build quality 28
👍 Low light performance 25
👍 Value for money 22
👍 Bokeh 18

Scores

Travel
Sony
94
Sigma
60
Budget
Sony
90
Sigma
68
Street
Sony
88
Sigma
80
Video Cinema
Sony
85
Sigma
70
Portrait
Sony
83
Sigma
84
Wildlife Sports
Sony
83
Sigma
56
Landscape
Sony
79
Sigma
50
Professional
Sony
77
Sigma
74
Macro
Sony
66
Sigma
62

Specifications

Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSSSigma EX DC 30mm f/1.4 EX DC 30mm
Optics
Typezoomwide-angle
Focal Length Min16 mm30 mm
Focal Length Max50 mm30 mm
Elements97
Groups86
Aspherical Elements4★1
ED Elements12★
Coating—Super Multi-Layer Coating
Aperture
Max Aperturef/3.5f/1.4
Min Aperture3.5-5.6f/1.4
Constant✗✓★
Diaphragm Blades79★
Build
MountSony ESony
FormatAPS-CAPS-C
Weather Sealed✓✓
Weight0.11 kg★0.27 kg
Filter Thread41 mm52 mm
AF & Stabilization
AF TypeAutofocusHSM (Hyper-Sonic Motor)
Stabilization✓★✗
Stabilization Stops4 stops★—
Focus
Min Focus Distance250 mm★400 mm
Max Magnification0.215x1:7.14★

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

Sigma EX DC 30mm f/1.4 EX DC 30mm

  • Strong bokeh (97th percentile)97th %ile
  • Strong aperture (97th percentile)97th %ile
  • Strong build (87th percentile)87th %ile
  • Below average versatility (34th percentile)

Pricing

Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS is MX$4,315 cheaper (2.2x less).

Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS0.026score per dollar
vs
Sigma EX DC 30mm f/1.4 EX DC 30mm0.009score per dollar

Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS offers 2.9x better value for money

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

Sigma EX DC 30mm f/1.4 EX DC 30mm

Verdict

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

Scores 89 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 22 specs.

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

MacroBudgetStreetTravelLandscapeProfessionalVideo CinemaWildlife Sports

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