Review
In this Hands on Review I had the pleasure to test the Carl Zeiss 16-80mm DT lens using the Sony Alpha 35. This lens has an incredible attractive 35mm equivalent focal range of 24-120mm on a APS-C sized sensor camera. That is pretty much all you need focal range wise to do almost everything!! The Sony 16-80mm lens could be the best all around lens in Sony’s line-up. It’s an incredible walk around lens, a great landscape lens, and a solid performer for portraits as well.
This focal range equivalent happens to be very close to my Canon 24-105mm f/4 L lens that I absolutely love!! In fact it’s my go to lens if I can only take one with me when using my full frame Canon 5D Mark II. It’s wide enough for most stuff, and you get a really nice zoom that brings you right in to most scenes. For my style of shooting it works very well and I like to take pictures of pretty much everything. You’ll see in a minute below 
The 16-80mm CZ lens is currently on sale until January 7th 2012 for $799.99, normally $850, so if you’re in the market I would jump on this offer before it expires!
First, lets check out some pics and go over the specs on the A-Mount Sony 16-80mm Carl Zeiss DT Lens:
Sony Alpha 35, Sony 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Lens – In Provided Soft Lens Bag
Sony 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT Autofocus Lens @ 16mm
Sony 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT Autofocus Lens @ 80mm
Sony 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT Autofocus Lens @ 16mm
Sony 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT Autofocus Lens @ 80mm
Sony 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT Autofocus Lens @ 80mm
Sony SAL-1680Z 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT Autofocus Lens
Sony SAL-1680Z 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT Autofocus Lens
Here she is mounted to the Sony Alpha 35.
Sony Alpha 35, Sony 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT Autofocus Lens
Sony Alpha 35, Sony 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT Autofocus Lens @ 16mm
Sony Alpha 35, Sony 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT Autofocus Lens @ 80mm
Build Quality:
As you can see by the images above, this lens is incredible well made and has very tight tolerance on the exterior. This lens is also fairly light weight considering the f/3.5-4.5 aperture and 16-80mm focal range. The lens hood is included and fits perfect. When the lens mounts to the camera it is very snug and firmly locks into place. The zoom is very smooth and has a nice dampening to it, so when your aimed downward it doesn’t zoom out on you. The focus is also smooth and relatively quick, although it’s not ssm technology. The 16-80mm lens feels relatively light to me, as far as lenses go and weighs in at 15.7 oz (445g).
Inside the lens is extra high quality glass consisting of 10 groups, 14 elements. Two of which are aspheric. In addition to that the 16-80mm lens has a anti-flare T* Coating that is supposed to help with flare. The aperture eye has 7 blades which results in gorgeous circular specular highlights, and silky smooth bokeh’s!!
The Digital Technology (DT) designation means that this lens is ideal for use on APS-C size sensor cameras. You can use it on a full frame, but you will have a cropped image as the lens is physically smaller on the inside.
Sony 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss DT Lens @ 16mm
Sony 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 CZ Lens @ 16mm, f/3.5 |
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100% Crop @ f/3.5 |
100% Crop – Top Right @ f/3.5 |
100% Crop @ f/4 |
100% Crop – Top Right @ f/4 |
100% Crop – @ f/5.6 |
100% Crop – Top Right @ f/5.6 |
100% Crop – Top Right @ f/8 |
100% Crop – Top Right @ f/8 |
100% Crop – @ f/11 |
100% Crop – Top Right @ f/11 |
100% Crop – @ f/16 |
100% Crop – Top Right @ f/16 |
Sony 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss DT Lens @ 24mm
Sony 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 CZ Lens @ 24mm, f/4 |
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100% Crop @ f/4 |
100% Crop @ f/4 |
100% Crop @ f/5.6 |
100% Crop @ f/5.6 |
100% Crop @ f/8 |
100% Crop @ f/8 |
100% Crop @ f/11 |
100% Crop @ f/11 |
100% Crop @ f/16 |
100% Crop @ f/16 |
Sony 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss DT Lens @ 35mm
Sony 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 CZ Lens @ 35mm, f/4.5 |
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100% Crop – 35mm @ f/4.5 |
100% Crop – Top Right @ f/4.5 |
100% Crop – 35mm @ f/5.6 |
100% Crop – Top Right @ f/5.6 |
100% Crop – @35mm, f/8 |
100% Crop – @ 35mm, f/8 |
100% Crop – @ 35mm, f/11 |
100% Crop – Top Right @ 35mm, f/11 |
100% Crop – @ 35mm, f/16 |
100% Crop – Top Right @ 35mm, f/16 |
Sony 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss DT Lens @50mm
Sony 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 CZ Lens @ 50mm, f/4.5 |
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100% Crop – f/4.5 @ 50mm |
100% Crop – f/4.5 @ 50mm |
100% Crop – f/4.5 @ 50mm |
100% Crop @ f/5.6, 50mm |
100% Crop @ f/5.6, 50mm |
100% Crop @ f/5.6, 50mm |
100% Crop @ f/8, 50mm |
100% Crop @ f/8, 50mm |
100% Crop @ f/8, 50mm |
100% Crop @ f/11, 50mm |
100% Crop @ f/11, 50mm |
100% Crop @ f/11, 50mm |
100% Crop @ f/16, 50mm |
100% Crop @ f/16, 50mm |
100% Crop @ f/16, 50mm |
Sony 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss DT Lens @ 80mm
Sony 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 CZ Lens @ f/4.5, 80mm |
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100% Crop @ f/4.5, 80mm |
100% Crop @ f/4.5, 80mm |
100% Crop @ f/4.5, 80mm |
100% Crop @ f/5.6, 80mm |
100% Crop @ f/5.6, 80mm |
100% Crop @ f/5.6, 80mm |
100% Crop @ f/8, 80mm |
100% Crop @ f/8, 80mm |
100% Crop @ f/8, 80mm |
100% Crop @ f/11, 80mm |
100% Crop @ f/11, 80mm |
100% Crop @ f/11, 80mm |
100% Crop @ f/16, 80mm |
100% Crop @ f/16, 80mm |
100% Crop @ f/16, 80mm |
I would rather you judge for yourself with these test shots, but I’ll give you my .02 cents:
The Sony 16-80mm CZ lens is sharp!!! Has very good detail retention in the corners at all focal lengths. A bit soft wide open at 16mm, but sharpens up quickly as you zoom in, and/or stop down. Chromatic aberration flaws are pretty much non-existent in these test shots. Distortion at 16mm is pretty noticeable, but not that bad in my opinion. Check out the specular highlights in the 80mm full photo. Notice how it stays round as the lens stops down. This is due to the 7 aperture blades creating a circular hole.
Vignette:
The vignette is very noticeable when shooting wide open at 80mm as you would expect, but as you stop down to about f/8 it’s not very noticeable. See below:
Vingette – 80mm @ f/4.5
Vingette – 80mm @ f/8
Real World Sample Photos:
Now for what really matters!! How does the 16-80mm actually perform int he real world? See for yourself below, and be sure to Click on the photos for nice large crisp versions!!
Sony Alpha 35, 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Lens @ f/11, 1/2000sec, 35mm, ISO 800
Sony Alpha 35, 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Lens @ f/11, 1/1600sec, 80mm, ISO 800
100% Crop – Sony Alpha 35, 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Lens @ f/11, 1/1600sec, 80mm, ISO 800
Sony Alpha 35, 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Lens @ f/4.5, 1/125sec, 80mm, ISO 160
100% Crop – Sony Alpha 35, 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Lens @ f/4.5, 1/125sec, 80mm, ISO 160
Sony Alpha 35, 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Lens @ f/8, 1/60sec, 18mm, ISO 250
100% Crop – Sony Alpha 35, 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Lens @ f/8, 1/60sec, 18mm, ISO 250
Sony Alpha 35, 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Lens @ f/8, 1/125sec, 80mm, ISO 320
100% Crop – Sony Alpha 35, 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Lens @ f/8, 1/125sec, 80mm, ISO 320
Sony Alpha 35, 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Lens @ f/4.5, 1/1250sec, 80mm, ISO 400
Sony Alpha 35, 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Lens @ f/5.6, 1/1250sec, 75mm, ISO 400
Sony Alpha 35, 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Lens @ f/8, 1/1000sec, 40mm, ISO 400
Sony Alpha 35, 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Lens @ f/4.5, 1/250sec, 80mm, ISO 400
100% Cop – Sony Alpha 35, 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Lens @ f/4.5, 1/250sec, 80mm, ISO 400
Sony Alpha 35, 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Lens @ f/8, 1/80sec, 16mm, ISO 100
100% Crop – Sony Alpha 35, 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Lens @ f/8, 1/80sec, 16mm, ISO 100
Sony Alpha 35, 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Lens @ f/4.5, 1/4000sec, 70mm, ISO 400
Sony Alpha 35, 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Lens @ f/8, 1/160sec, 70mm, ISO 100
Sony Alpha 35, 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Lens @ f/8, 1/500sec, 80mm, ISO 400
Sony Alpha 35, 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Lens @ f/8, .4sec, 16mm, ISO 400 |
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100% Crop @ f/8, .4sec, 16mm, ISO 400 |
100% Crop @ f/8, .4sec, 16mm, ISO 400 |
Video Performance:
The video performance of this lens is pretty solid and of course sharp!! You can here the auto focus motor focusing pretty clearly which makes this lens not the greatest choice for video. Ideally you would want a lens with SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) Auto Focus for video as it is pretty much silent, and very fast!!
Here is a sample video of of my friend Abby. Be sure to select the 1080p HD & full screen options for best quality!!
Conclusion:
If I could only take one lens with me and I was using a APS-C sized Sony camera it would definitely be this lens!! The Sony 16-80mm f/3.5-45. Carl Zeiss lens is also an excellent value for the dollar at $850.00 in my opinion. Mind you, I’m used to spending way more money on L glass for my Canon equipment, and the results with this lens are very comparable to those lenses. Carl Zeiss Sony lenses really are a nice step up in quality and absolutely worth the extra money. The Color, Contrast, and Detail retention is excellent with this lens on even a relativity low-priced SLT camera like the a35.
I would absolutely buy this lens and if I ever do purchase a Sony APS-C sized A-Mount camera this would be the lens of choice for a do it all work horse. I do wish it had SSM and OSS. Although that would raise the price to almost $1800 probably, I would still buy it at that price!!
Please let me know if you have any questions about this review, camera, or lens, and have a great day!
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Thanks,
Jay
About the Author
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I could not agree more. I purchased this lens in March of this year and have used it with the a700 and a77. It is my walk around lens and the color, definition and clarity on the a77 is incredible. The videos from the a77 are the same. It is a great value for under a $1000. The difference between this lens and the one I had(price was equivilent) is very noticable.
Thanks for your comments Bob and sharing your experience with this lens!
Best,
Jay
I very much appreciate your experience and since I have just received my A77 (was a Canon man) could you advise which is going to be a better in terms of sharpness and video, the lens you just mentioned CZ 16-80 or the Sony 16-80 2.8…many thanks….I should say that I am torn between the Nex 7 and the A77 so have both for different reasons Nex is yet to come, I am hoping the Nex will be as good so I can take it travelling on a once in a lifetime trip we are going on…all the best for the new year…Viv
Viv,
I think you meant the f/2.8 16-50mm kit lens?? If so, I would definitely get the 16-80mm over the 16-50mm kit lens. It is better all around in my opinion, but it doens’t have the ssm which makes focus faster and quieter. That is better for video. Sharpness and color I would go with the 16-80mm as well.
Your trip sounds very interesting!! Were to?? The nex-7 will do everything the a77 can do pretty much, except focus as fast. That is really the only “photographic quality” difference other than the camera body itself of course and lenses. They both chew through batteries fast, so make sure you get a bunch extra for your trip no matter what camera you have!!
I hope this helps
Jay
Yes I did mean 16-50 (SL1650)…Surprise !! My wife ordered this lens for an Xmas present and it arrived yesterday (cross border delays) so I am committed, however if the 16-80 is significantly better I would not mind ordering it if you thought that was worthwhile investment.
On the other hand I don’t want to invest too much in the A77 if the N7 is where my real hopes are for the best travel camera. I know that the LA2 adapter would let the lenses work on the N7 but I am hoping that their will be some equal quality Nex lenses coming out.. (if you know there are can you list them)
The trip is from one end of Japan to the other for about 6-8 weeks where I will be traveling solo, using hi-tech clothing and a 16 ltr backpack and a Nex 7, the idea is to make a documentary style record of the trip. I wish I could get a remote to start video recording but as yet I cannot locate one
Thanks for the help….Viv
Viv,
The 16-80mm is noticable better in my opinion and the extra 30mm of reach is a lot on the A77. Is it worth the money when you already have the 16-50 f/2.8 ssm? probably not. I would probably sell that and then buy the 16-80mm if I were you, but that is just me.If your getting the Nex-7 I would probably just save for that instead though. For the same money as the 16-80mm you can get 3 E-mount lenses!! Much better investment in my opinion, unless you plan to keep the a77 and purchase killer glass anyway. Check out my wishlist for 2012!! for more on what I would get first if your curious. Your needs and style of shooting could be entirely different than mine though, so remember that when making your investments!!
Best,
Jay
This is an incredible lens. I have it for past one year on my A200. superb colours, contrast and sharp.
SSM is desirable but you had wished for OSS on this lens. But why? SONY Alphas have SS Inside. That is the advantage of SONY Alpha (and Pentax K) over “others”.
good review,
I think much cheaper Tamron 17-50\2.8 gives the same picture as Sony version