Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Viltrox AF 56/1.7 XF 56mm
What Buyers Say
Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
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
Viltrox AF 56/1.7 XF 56mm
The Viltrox 56mm f/1.7 is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, lightweight design, and outstanding value for money. Users consistently highlight its impressive image quality, with sharp details and pleasing bokeh, often comparing it favorably to much more expensive lenses. While the autofocus is generally reliable for portraits and stills, some users note it can be noisy and not as fast as native Fuji lenses. A few isolated concerns about dust ingress and the plastic build have been mentioned, but overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness
- Lightweight and compact design
- Excellent value for money
- Pleasing bokeh
- Good low-light performance
Cons
- Noisy autofocus (some users)
- Autofocus slower than native lenses
- Plastic build
- Dust ingress reported
- No physical aperture ring
Scores
Specifications
| Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Viltrox AF 56/1.7 XF 56mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 16 mm | 56 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 50 mm | 56 mm |
| Elements | 9 | 11 |
| Groups | 8 | 9 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | — |
| ED Elements | 1 | 4★ |
| Coating | — | high-definition nano-multilayer coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | f/1.7 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.11 kg★ | 0.17 kg |
| Filter Thread | 41 mm | 52 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | STM★ |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 250 mm★ | 550 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.215x | 1:9.09★ |
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
Viltrox AF 56/1.7 XF 56mm
- Strong build (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong social proof (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Strong optical (71st percentile)
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
Pricing
Viltrox AF 56/1.7 XF 56mm offers 1.8x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 22 specs.