Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS 50mm
7Artisans 18mm f/6.3 Mark II 18mm
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
7Artisans 18mm f/6.3 Mark II 18mm
This 7artisans 18mm f/6.3 lens is a tiny, all-metal pancake that delivers a filmic, character-rich look rather than clinical sharpness. Users love its compact size and hyperfocal ease for street photography, but note soft focus, strong vignetting, low contrast, and compatibility quirks with IBIS systems. A few report severe quality control issues making the lens unusable, while most see it as a fun, creative tool for the price.
Pros
- Extremely compact and lightweight
- Solid all-metal construction
- Filmic, character-rich image quality
- Hyperfocal ease for street photography
- Great value for the price
Cons
- Soft focus at all distances
- Strong vignetting
- Low contrast
- Compatibility issues with IBIS
- Severe quality control problems
Scores
Specifications
| Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS 50mm | 7Artisans 18mm f/6.3 Mark II 18mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 16 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 50 mm | 18 mm |
| Elements | 9 | 6 |
| Groups | 8 | 5 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | — |
| ED Elements | 1★ | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/6.3 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | f/6.3 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7★ | — |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Nikon Z |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.11 kg | 0.06 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 41 mm | — |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 250 mm★ | 300 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.215x★ | — |
Pros & Cons
Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS 50mm
- Strong build (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong versatility (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Strong aperture (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
7Artisans 18mm f/6.3 Mark II 18mm
- Strong build (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong macro (69th percentile)
- Strong social proof (66th percentile)
- Below average optical (2nd percentile)2nd %ile
- Below average af (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (17th percentile)17th %ile
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
Pricing
7Artisans 18mm f/6.3 Mark II 18mm offers 3.3x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 90 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 7 of 21 specs.
