Sony SAL-16105 AF DT 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6(D) Autofocus Lens

Review of the Sony DT 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6 lens

• +

  Good short-end resolution from f/5.6

• -

  Poor resolution at longer focal lengths after f/11

This lens is certainly capable of producing more than satisfactory results if used within its limitations, it just may pay to be fully aware of its shortcomings so you are not disappointed.

• +

  Useful zoom range, Good build quality, Good centre resolution at the shorter end of the zoom range

• -

  Resolution towards edges of the frame from 50mm onwards, Barrel distortion at 16mm, Prone to flare

A few years ago a couple of Sony’s engineers from their Japan camera division came and spent the day at our test lab to see how we test cameras and lenses. It was at a time when Sony’s DSLR market was still in its infancy, having only the Alpha 100 and 900 in its DSLR lineup and a few refurbished...

A general purpose 6.5x zoom lens for APS-C sensor Sony and Minolta digital SLR cameras offering a wide-angle equivalent of a 24mm lens on a full-frame camera.

• +

  Useful zoom range, Good build quality, Good centre resolution at the shorter end of the zoom range

• -

  Resolution towards edges of the frame from 50mm onwards, Barrel distortion at 16mm, Prone to flare

The Sony DT 16-105 mm is difficult to assess. On the one hand, when we look at its performance from the perspective of a very good Zeiss’s 16-80 mm result we don’t like it much. In fact it loses practically in every category and offers instead the telephoto range wider by 25 mm (but paid with a...

• +

  solid, tasteful and compact barrel in the same time,, very universal and unparalleled focal lengths range,, excellent or very good frame center image quality,, very good frame edge image quality at shorter focal lengths,, chromatic aberration well-controlled in the middle of the focal lengths...

• -

  very high vignetting at 16 mm,, high distortion at 16 mm,, the image quality at 105 mm could have been better,, visible chromatic aberration at the extremes of the range,, visible coma at shorter focal lengths.

Unsurprisingly the Sony 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6 DT is a lens of compromises - the lens offers a highly attractive 6.5x zoom ratio but this sets natural limits performance-wise. At max. aperture the border quality leaves something to be desired may it be resolution, vignetting or lateral CAs.

Aside from this lens not reaching the lowest of low F-stops, this lens does it ALL. From architecture wide angle photography and landscapes to portraits of people and objects with high detail to the sports shot from across the field. you can capture everything.

• +

  Wide angle focal length, and great zoom capacity.

• -

  i wish the f-stop was slightly lower maybe F2.8

I bought this lens to go with my Alpha 57, which was stolen, alas. I now use it with an Alpha 65. It gives good performance throughout the range and is good value money. It is an excellent replacement for the kit zoom, giving a step up in image quality. A bit heavy though.

Good general purpose zoom, nice and clear.

• +

  Consistent Output, Durable, Easily Interchangeable, Lightweight, Quick Focus, Sharp Focus

• -

  Lens Creep

Advertised as f/3.5 - 5.6. At 16 mm focal length, the maximum aperture is f/3.5. However, at 24 mm focal length, it jumps to f/4.5, and at 35 mm focal length, it jumps to f/5, which is disappointingly "slow", This information is not available in the "specifications".

First I love this lens....I use it with my a55 which I purchased at the same time. It takes beautiful pictures. The only thing that that I am not happy about, I bought this lens thinking that it had a Internal focusing system that did not "change the length of the lens" as it is stated in the specs.

• +

  This is the perfect lens to keep on my camera.

• -

  The length does change! Unlike what it says in the specs.

Best for "always on". Wont miss a shot because of having to change the lens first without compromising image quality.

• +

  Very sharp, incredible quality for zoom range equaling 24-160 on 35mm

• -

  Not too fast, F 3.5 at 16mm only

Does what I wanted - wide angle to pretty good zoom capabilities. OK size and weight, although obviously much bigger and bulkier than 18-55 kit lens. Feels good quality and rhobust. One frustrating thing is lens creep - will quickly end up at the furthest zoom if you walk around without a case.

• +

  Durable, Easily Interchangeable, Rugged

• -

  Lens Creep