Sony E SAL16F28 16mm
With its retractable design, Optical SteadyShot stabilization, and power zoom, this compact 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 delivers a versatile 24-75mm equivalent range for Sony APS-C bodies. The internal focus and seven-blade circular diaphragm maintain smooth bokeh, while weighing just 116g for unmatched portability. This lens suits beginner vloggers and casual shooters needing an affordable, all-purpose zoom with power zoom for seamless video.
Focal length 16mm
Aperture f/28
Mount Sony A
stabilization Yes
Weight 400 g
lens type wide-angle
31 Overall Score
Price $200
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong macro (99th percentile) 99th
- Strong stabilization (83rd percentile) 83rd
- Strong social proof (77th percentile) 77th
Cons
- Below average bokeh (5th percentile)
- Below average aperture (8th percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (11th percentile)
- Below average optical (21st percentile)
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Owner sentiment has held steady over time
70/100Our AI sentiment read
Based on 8 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Wide-angle |
| Focal Length Min | 16 |
| Focal Length Max | 16 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/28 |
Build
| Mount | Sony A |
| Weight | 0.4 kg / 0.9 lbs |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 16 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Sony E SAL16F28 16mm | Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD | Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR | Sigma Contemporary 207975 | Panasonic LUMIX S S-R2060 | Fujifilm XC XC13-33mm F3.5-6.3f OIS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 16mm | 17-70mm | 16-50mm | 10-18mm | 20-60mm | 13-33mm |
| Max Aperture | f/28 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Sony A | Fujifilm X | Nikon Z | Sony E | L-Mount | Fujifilm X |
| Stabilization | true | true | true | false | false | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | false | true | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 400 | 544 | 135 | 260 | 350 | 132 |
| AF Type | - | RXD | Stepping Motor | Autofocus | stepping motor | STM |
| Lens Type | wide-angle | zoom | zoom | wide-angle-zoom | zoom | standard-zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony E SAL16F28 16mm | 53.7 | 5.4 | 51.9 | 99 | 21 | 7.6 | 10.7 | 33.3 | 76.8 | 83.4 |
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Compare | 53.7 | 87.4 | 69.6 | 85.9 | 91 | 84.6 | 63.3 | 89.3 | 85.1 | 83.4 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR Compare | 87.4 | 75.9 | 92.6 | 44.4 | 73.8 | 77.9 | 0 | 82.9 | 76.8 | 95.3 |
| Sigma Contemporary 207975 Compare | 53.7 | 82.3 | 88.7 | 92.7 | 83.1 | 84.6 | 80.4 | 68.4 | 29 | 37.8 |
| Panasonic LUMIX S S-R2060 Compare | 87.4 | 85.5 | 82.5 | 66.9 | 78.4 | 77.9 | 0 | 81.4 | 69 | 37.8 |
| Fujifilm XC XC13-33mm F3.5-6.3f OIS Compare | 87.4 | 85.5 | 93 | 48.1 | 78.4 | 77.9 | 0 | 77.5 | 3.3 | 93.4 |
Price
Value & Pricing
From $200
Amazon 1 offer From $200
Price History
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
