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Sony E Vario-Tessar T 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS

Rating 4.4 29 reviews
Manufacturer: Sony
price $649.00 - $1,798.00
ePHOTOzine
12 years ago

Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens - Brand New review

There is no doubt that this is a high quality optic, that delivers very high sharpness in the centre of the frame and sports excellent build quality and a useful optical stabiliser.
Read more on ePHOTOzine
PC Magazine
12 years ago

Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS

The Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS ($999.99) is a compact zoom lens for Sony E-mount cameras . It's designed for use with APS-C models like the Alpha 5000 , but will also work (at a lower resolution) with the full-frame Alpha 7 and 7R .
Pros:
  • Sharp throughout zoom range
  • 4.4x zoom ratio
  • Optically stabilized
  • Compact
  • Sturdy build
  • Includes hood
Cons:
  • Pricey
  • Some softness at edges
  • A little distortion
Read more on PC Magazine
PC Magazine
12 years ago

Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS Review

The Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS is a compact 4.4x zoom that offers a constant f/4 aperture and optical stabilization. The Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS ($999.99) is a compact zoom lens for Sony E-mount cameras. It's designed for use with APS-C models like the Alpha 5000, but will also work (at a lower resolution) with the full-frame Alpha 7 and 7R($999.99 at Amazon). It's a 4.4x zoom that covers a 24-105mm (35mm equivalent) field of view, with a maximum f/4 aperture throughout. It's one of the better zooms that we've seen for mirrorless cameras, but doesn't quite match the edge-to-edge sharpness and f/2.8 aperture that Olympus achieved with its Editors' Choice winning M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO($899.00 at Amazon) zoom for the competing Micro Four Thirds system. The lens($998.00 at Amazon) measures 3 by 2.6 inches (HD), weighs 10.9 ounces, and supports 55mm front filters; all-in-all it's an impressively compact package when you consider its zoom range and aperture. The lens barrel is metal and a reversible hood is included. Despite utilizing a telescoping design tha...
Pros:
  • Sharp throughout zoom range
  • 4.4x zoom ratio
  • Optically stabilized
  • Compact
  • Sturdy build
  • Includes hood
Cons:
  • Pricey
  • Some softness at edges
  • A little distortion
Read more on PC Magazine
amazon.ca
12 years ago

perfect fit for the A6000

Great Zeiss lens, good trade off of slow f4 to keep the size and weight down. My copy was shipped directly from Japan and seems to be good. A bit pricey but not bad for a Zeiss.
Read more on amazon.ca
Adorama
11 years ago

Very Unimpressive Lens

I recently purchased this lens hoping to replace the 18-55mm kit lens with something much better. Alas, that is not the case. True, the lens does have a greater span in its field of view. However the image quality is strangely lacking in contrast, and the colors seem almost hazy.
Pros:
  • Fast / accurate auto-focus
Read more on Adorama
PC Magazine UK
10 years ago

Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS Review (Review Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS)

The Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS is a compact 4.4x zoom that offers a constant f/4 aperture and optical stabilization.
Pros:
  • Sharp throughout zoom range., 4.4x zoom ratio., Optically stabilized., Compact., Sturdy build., Includes hood.
Cons:
  • Pricey., Some softness at edges., A little distortion.
Read more on PC Magazine UK
Sony
9 years ago

Great Lens

I use this lens on a A6000. This has become my go to lens with this camera. This produces images that are sharp at all levels from 16 mm to 70 mm. I am quite pleased with the quality. However, I feel that the color quality is significantly improved from the lens that came with the camera.
Read more on Sony
Amazon
8 years ago

Good(ish) optically (with reservations) but with slightly "sticky" zoom action - annoying in such an expensive lens

I had reservations about this lens having read many mixed opinions and reviews both here and elsewhere and chose to buy from Amazon mainly because of the straightforward return procedures should the worst come to the worst.
Read more on Amazon
Newegg
12 years ago

Excellent everyday use zoom lens for Sony NEX

The lens is made in Thailand, and comes with a certificate of inspection. It takes 55mm filters. Comes with a Zeiss sticker ;)
Pros:
  • If you are frustrated with the SEL1855 Kit zoom lens especially with subpar results like barrel distortions at the wide-end look no further
  • It beats the kit lens in almost all distortion related issues and has more zoom range viz
  • 16mm to 70mm.
Cons:
  • The minimum distance to focus is almost 1ft which is a bit problematic
  • Not much change in Image Quality when compared to kit lens
Read more on Newegg
buydig.com
12 years ago

Nice all-purpose zoom!

Very useful range. Lightweight and very nice build. Good sharpness in the center wide open. Corners are OK wide open and improve by f/8. Very nice contrast and colors.
Pros:
  • Very useful range
  • Lightweight and very nice build
  • Good sharpness in the center wide open
  • Corners are OK wide open and improve by f/8
  • Very nice contrast and colors
Cons:
  • Price!!
Read more on buydig.com
4.4 from 29 reviews
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