Sony SAL-1680Z 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT Autofocus Lens

When the Sony Alpha 100, our 2006 Camera of the Year, debuted last year, the only optics available for it were cosmetically updated Konica Minolta lenses. At the time, Sony promised a future line of Zeiss-designed glass.

From the legendary Carl Zeiss stable of Vario-Sonnar lenses, the DT 16-80mm is a class act that delivers a powerful 5x zoom range, equivalent to 24-120mm. The bland styling isn't much to look at, but the zoom and focus rings work smoothly.

I have used this lens for nearly an year,and most of my pictures were for travel, and a few closeup macro type shots.I had previously been using a Sony 18-70 mm kit zoom lens, which was satisfactory, both in picture sharpness and colour.However, when I started using the 16-80 lens, first thing I...

This is a very good zoom lens for general use in an APS-C camera. I've had mine for 5 years and haven't had any problems at all. It's almost always been on my camera and never disappointed. I've used it at weddings, sporting events, indoors, outdoors, you name it.

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  Much better than average imaging, looks good

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  Mediocre build quality, not sealed, not silent

Despite its convenience, great contrast, and good colors, this lens suffers too much from poor sharpness, an unuseable manual focus ring, and strong vignetting to receive a positive recommendation.

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  Great contrast, good colors, compact, light weight.

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  Unuseable manual focus, strong vignetting at most focal lengths, poor sharpness at many focal lengths.

Carl Zeiss says it all. This is the little brother to the full frame 24-70mm. I get the same results with this on my a77 as I do with the 24-70mm and my a850. It is a lot more light weight and compact than the 24-70mm lens.

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  Light weight, Great out of camera shots, tough build quality

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  none

This is the bestperforming lens I have ever owned. Chromatic aberration is minimal over the useful zoom range. Would have given it 5 stars (and more) if it had a barrel lock to stop the zoom extending whilst not using the lens. A serious omission Sony - why, oh why!!!