Sony 16-50mm OSS 3.5-5.6 Prime Lens Who’s it for?
 Most people will acquire this lens with one of Sony’s E-mount cameras and, as a kit lens it covers a useful range of focal lengths and performs reasonably well. The power zoom and image stabilisation are handy for video shooting and the AF motor is quiet enough to produce minimal interference in movie mode.

One of the best features of this lens is its compact size, which will suit family snapshooters, travellers and street photographers. Mounted on a small camera body it provides a relatively inconspicuous kit.

Potential purchasers should be aware that the inherent distortion and vignetting in this lens are high. Consequently, it is best used with a modern body that includes auto-correction for these aberrations.

Build and Ergonomics
 The metal outer shell and mounting plate create an impression of quality but, overall, this lens is built to a price. The finish on the inner barrel is a little rough as is the plastic slider that controls the power zoom.

The only adjustment ring ““ which controls manual focusing or zooming, depending on the focus made setting ““ is located right at the front of the lens. It’s approximately 12 mm wide and carries a double row of fine ridges near its trailing edge.

This ring turns freely when the camera is switched off and provides little in the way of tactile feedback when power is on. Manual focusing is electronically controlled.

Powering up the camera extends the inner barrel to roughly 52 mm, compared with the 30 mm overall length of the lens when the camera is switched off. Although the inner barrel moves a little when the lens is zoomed in and out, its overall length doesn’t change significantly.

As the lens is zoomed, the maximum reduces rapidly. Maximum and minimum apertures changes with focal length are shown in the table below.

About this item

• POWER ZOOM for smooth zooming with superb operability and quietness
• ED glass and Aspherical lens elements for excellent performance with reduced aberrations
• Built-in image stabilization
• This lens is designed for Sony ? camera system E-mount cameras. You cannot use it on A-mount cameras