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

Sony E

Review

The Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS lens is a versatile and high-quality zoom lens designed for Sony E mount cameras. This lens covers a focal range of 16-70mm, which translates to a convenient 24-105mm equivalent in full-frame terms, making it an excellent choice for various photography styles, from landscapes to portraits.

Build Quality and Design

The construction of the Vario-Tessar is solid, featuring a robust metal body that feels durable and premium in hand. It's also relatively compact and lightweight, making it a great travel companion. The lens incorporates a retractable design, allowing it to maintain a smaller profile when not in use. Additionally, the lens features a weather-sealed construction, which is a plus for photographers who often shoot in various conditions.

Optical Performance

Optically, this lens is impressive. The F4 aperture allows for good light transmission, which is beneficial in low-light conditions. The lens utilizes Zeiss's T* (T-Star) anti-reflective coatings to minimize flare and ghosting, resulting in excellent contrast and color rendition. Throughout its zoom range, the lens delivers sharp images with minimal distortion and vignetting, making it suitable for professional use.

However, it's worth noting that while the lens performs well at most focal lengths, it can exhibit slight softness at 70mm when used wide open, especially in the corners. Stopping down to F5.6 or F8 typically resolves this issue, but it's something to keep in mind if you're looking to shoot at the long end in challenging lighting conditions.

Autofocus Performance

The autofocus system of the Vario-Tessar is quick and reliable, thanks to the built-in Optical SteadyShot (OSS) image stabilization. This feature helps in achieving sharp images, even at slower shutter speeds. Whether you’re shooting stills or video, the autofocus is generally silent, which is crucial for discreet shooting or in quiet environments.

Versatility

This lens shines in its versatility. With a zoom range that serves various shooting scenarios, it's a great all-rounder for both amateur and professional photographers. It performs well in street photography, travel, and even some nature photography. Its constant F4 aperture throughout the zoom range makes it easy to work with different lighting conditions without having to fiddle with exposure settings.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• High build quality and weather-sealed design
• Impressive optical performance with minimal distortion and good color rendition
• Versatile focal length range suitable for various photography styles
• Quick and silent autofocus with effective image stabilization

Cons

• Slight softness at the long end (70mm) when wide open
• Average light-gathering ability compared to faster zooms (F4 might be limiting in low-light)

Verdict

Overall, the Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS lens is an excellent choice for those looking for a versatile and high-performing zoom lens on the Sony E mount system. While it may have some minor drawbacks, the lens's strengths in build quality, optical performance, and ease of use make it a solid investment for photographers who want a reliable all-rounder in their kit.