Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T*
16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM *
 vs
Sony
16-50mm f/2.8 DT

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM *
Has a silent focus motor Sony SSM vs None
Help
 Focuses quickly and silently
Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM * Learn more about
the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM *

Reasons to consider the Sony 16-50mm f/2.8 DT
Cheaper $798.00 vs $1,998.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $1,200 cheaper (2.5x less)
More zoom 3.1x vs 2.2x
Help
 More than 40% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos
Slightly better telephoto 50 mm vs 35 mm
Help
 More than 40% more reach, less perspective distortion
Sony 16-50mm f/2.8 DT Learn more about
the Sony 16-50mm f/2.8 DT

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Fixed aperture Constant aperture lenses Help
The same aperture at all focal lengths
Min focal length Good wide-angle Help
16 mm
Prime lens Both are zoom lenses Help
Typically not as sharp as prime lenses
Max focal length Poor telephoto Help
16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM *:35 mm
16-50mm f/2.8 DT:50 mm

Compared to wide angle lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses

LensHero is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Sony-alpha

Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Sony-alpha

Wide angle lens

$499
Wide maximum Has a higher max f/stop
Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Sony-alpha vs the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM *
Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Sony-alpha vs the 16-50mm f/2.8 DT
Sony 24mm f/1.8 E-Mount Carl Zeiss Sonnar

Sony 24mm f/1.8 E-Mount Carl Zeiss Sonnar

Low light lens

$1,098
Aperture Has a wider aperture
Prime lens Is a fixed focal length prime lens
Compare the 24mm f/1.8 E-Mount Carl Zeiss Sonnar vs the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM *
Compare the 24mm f/1.8 E-Mount Carl Zeiss Sonnar vs the 16-50mm f/2.8 DT
Sony 20mm f/2.8

Sony 20mm f/2.8

Wide angle lens

$348
Length Is shorter
Prime lens Is a fixed focal length prime lens
Compare the 20mm f/2.8 vs the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM *
Compare the 20mm f/2.8 vs the 16-50mm f/2.8 DT

Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM * Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony Distagon T* 24mm f/2 SSM

Sony Distagon T* 24mm f/2 SSM

Low light lens

$1,398
Prime lens Is a prime lens
Aperture Wider aperture
Zoom range Less zoom
Compare the Distagon T* 24mm f/2 SSM vs the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM *
Leica Tri-Elmar-Mf/16-18-21mm f/4

Leica Tri-Elmar-Mf/16-18-21mm f/4

Wide angle lens

$5,350
Length Shorter
Weight Lighter
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Lowest price Significantly more expensive
Compare the Tri-Elmar-Mf/16-18-21mm f/4 vs the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM *
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM

Fisheye lens

$1,499 - $1,699
Fisheye Fisheye lens
Lowest price Slightly cheaper
Magnification Slightly less magnification
Compare the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM vs the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM *
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED

Wide angle lens

$1,903 - $1,997
Magnification Less magnification
Length Slightly longer
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED vs the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM *
Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 ZE Nikon-f

Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 ZE Nikon-f

Wide angle lens

$2,950
Prime lens Is a prime lens
Auto focus Auto focus
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Compare the Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 ZE Nikon-f vs the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM *

Sony 16-50mm f/2.8 DT Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT

Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT

Wide angle lens

$218
Lowest price Slightly cheaper
Fixed aperture Has a variable aperture
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT vs the 16-50mm f/2.8 DT
Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

Wide angle lens

$200
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Lowest price Slightly cheaper
Fixed aperture Has a variable aperture
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 vs the 16-50mm f/2.8 DT
Sony DT 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6

Sony DT 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6

Travel lens

$698
Zoom range More zoom
Max focal length Better telephoto
Fixed aperture Has a variable aperture
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the DT 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6 vs the 16-50mm f/2.8 DT
Sony DT 35mm f/1.8 SAM

Sony DT 35mm f/1.8 SAM

Low light lens

$218
Prime lens Is a prime lens
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Zoom range Less zoom
Min focal length Slightly worse wide angle
Compare the DT 35mm f/1.8 SAM vs the 16-50mm f/2.8 DT
Sony E-Mount 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

Sony E-Mount 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

Fisheye lens

$298
Fisheye Fisheye lens
Lowest price Slightly cheaper
Fixed aperture Has a variable aperture
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the E-Mount 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 vs the 16-50mm f/2.8 DT

discussion Which do you think is better?

Speech is free, but discussion at LensHero is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of these lenses here, and discuss feedback for LensHero at our support community.

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