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
fanshang Viltrox Lens 56mm F1.7 STM (X-Mount)

fanshang Viltrox Lens 56mm F1.7 STM (X-Mount)

fanshang
46 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

fanshang Viltrox Lens 56mm F1.7 STM (X-Mount)

78 out of 100 medium confidence 12 reviews

This Viltrox 56mm f/1.7 lens is widely praised for its outstanding sharpness, compact size, and remarkable value for money. Users consistently highlight the excellent optical performance, especially on higher-megapixel sensors, and appreciate its lightweight design for travel and street photography. The main drawbacks are the audible autofocus noise, which can be heard from a few feet away, and autofocus speed that lags behind native Fuji glass. Overall, it's considered a fantastic budget prime that delivers professional-quality images despite a few minor compromises.

Pros
  • outstanding sharpness
  • compact and lightweight design
  • excellent value for money
  • great bokeh quality
  • good for low light
Cons
  • audible autofocus noise
  • autofocus speed lags behind native glass
  • minimum focus distance of 55cm
  • plastic/resin build may feel cheap
  • minimal controls
👍 Sharpness 5
👍 Value for money 6
👍 Size and weight 7
👎 Autofocus noise 2
🤔 Autofocus speed 3
🤔 Build quality 2

Scores

Travel
Sony
94
fanshang
45
Street
Sony
88
fanshang
64
Budget
Sony
86
fanshang
46
Video Cinema
Sony
85
fanshang
49
Wildlife Sports
Sony
83
fanshang
49
Portrait
Sony
83
fanshang
51
Landscape
Sony
79
fanshang
40
Professional
Sony
76
fanshang
48
Macro
Sony
66
fanshang
41

Specifications

Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSSfanshang Viltrox Lens 56mm F1.7 STM (X-Mount)
Optics
Typezoomprime
Focal Length Min16 mm56 mm
Focal Length Max50 mm56 mm
Elements911
Groups89
Aspherical Elements4★—
ED Elements14★
Aperture
Max Aperturef/3.5f/16
Min Aperture3.5-5.6f/1.7
Constant✗—
Diaphragm Blades79★
Build
MountSony EFujifilm X
FormatAPS-CAPS-C
Weather Sealed✓★—
Weight0.11 kg★0.17 kg
Filter Thread41 mm52 mm
AF & Stabilization
AF TypeAutofocusSTM★
Stabilization✓★✗
Stabilization Stops4 stops★—
Focus
Min Focus Distance250 mm★550 mm
Max Magnification0.215x★0.11x

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

fanshang Viltrox Lens 56mm F1.7 STM (X-Mount)

  • Strong build (88th percentile)88th %ile
  • Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
  • Below average macro (30th percentile)
  • Below average user sentiment (30th percentile)
  • Below average versatility (34th percentile)

Pricing

fanshang Viltrox Lens 56mm F1.7 STM (X-Mount) is $204 cheaper (2.4x less).

Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS0.256score per dollar
vs
fanshang Viltrox Lens 56mm F1.7 STM (X-Mount)0.316score per dollar

fanshang Viltrox Lens 56mm F1.7 STM (X-Mount) offers 1.2x better value for money

fanshang Viltrox Lens 56mm F1.7 STM (X-Mount)

Verdict

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

Scores 89 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 7 of 21 specs.

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

MacroBudgetStreetTravelPortraitLandscapeProfessionalVideo CinemaWildlife Sports

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