Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS Review
The Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS ($999.99) is a compact zoom lens for Sony E-mount cameras. It's designed for use with APS-C models like the Alpha 5000, but will also work (at a lower resolution) with the full-frame Alpha 7 and 7R($999.99 at Amazon). It's a 4.4x zoom that covers a 24-105mm (35mm equivalent) field of view, with a maximum f/4 aperture throughout. It's one of the better zooms that we've seen for mirrorless cameras, but doesn't quite match the edge-to-edge sharpness and f/2.8 aperture that Olympus achieved with its Editors' Choice winning M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO($899.00 at Amazon) zoom for the competing Micro Four Thirds system.
The lens($998.00 at Amazon) measures 3 by 2.6 inches (HD), weighs 10.9 ounces, and supports 55mm front filters; all-in-all it's an impressively compact package when you consider its zoom range and aperture. The lens barrel is metal and a reversible hood is included. Despite utilizing a telescoping design tha...
The Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS is a compact 4.4x zoom that offers a constant f/4 aperture and optical stabilization.
Sharp throughout zoom range; 4.4x zoom ratio; Optically stabilized; Compact; Sturdy build; Includes hood
Pricey; Some softness at edges; A little distortion