Sony SAL16105 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6 Wide-Range Zoom Lens

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Sony SAL16105 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6 Wide-Range Zoom Lens
	Manufacturer: Sony Customer Rating:   List Price: Varies based on product options Sale Price: $599.99 Availibility: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Available On:

Product Description

Specially designed APS-size CCD imagers like the Exmor¿ sensor of the Sony® a(alpha DSLR-A700 camera, this amazingly compact premium zoom lens provides superior all-around performance. Its 35mm-equivalent range of 24mm wide-angle to 157.5mm telephoto excels at capturing faraway subjects, sports events, dramatic landscapes and intimate close-ups.

Product Details

• Excellent wide-angle to long telephoto shots
• 2 Aspherical Lens Elements for wide-ranging accuracy
• ED Glass Element for sharp, clear long shots
• Circular Aperture for pleasing defocused effects
• 35mm equivalent: 24mm to 157.5mm

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Customer Reviews

High Quality, High Zoom Range, Highly Affordable

Review Date: February 15, 2010

Reviewer: Tim Naff, Huntsville, AL USA

I've been shooting this lens alongside the full-frame Zeiss 24 -70mm f/2.8 and Sony G 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6, both of which are world-class. What I've found has surprised me: this lens has no apologies to make in that company. I bought the other two lenses only because I expect to transition to full frame in about 3 years. (I'm currently using an A550 body.) I haven't done any scientific measurements, but when I blow-up shots from this lens on a large monitor, I'm not finding any resolution issues at all. I've done shots of the same subjects with all three lenses, and simply haven't seen any loss of resolution or any color signature with this lens. Again, this is real-world shooting and subjective evaluation, not laboratory testing. Someone commented on the lens being heavy. That's a relative thing. It is much, much lighter than the Zeiss 70-24. That's partly because the Zeiss has a wider aperture and works full frame. The 16-105 is, however, heavier than typical Minolta film camera lenses. The feel of the build quality is impressive. It is very, very close to the subjective feel of the Zeiss 24-70, which is possibly the best made lens on the market. If you twist and wiggle the two lenses, you can detect a very slightly tighter tolerance in the Zeiss, but you have to try -- it's not readily apparent. This is my walk-around lens of choice. I also considered the Sony SAL18250 Alpha DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 and the Zeiss Sony SAL-1680Z DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5. Based on what I've read and what I've experienced first hand, I'd say the optical quality of the lenses would place the 18-250 at the low end, this 16-105 in the middle, and the Zeiss 16-80 at the high end, with this 16-105 being closer to the Zeiss than to the 18-250. Honestly, I don't think you'd go wrong with any of the three. But if you want close to the best quality, and the 6.5X zoom range suits your needs, this lens is a no-brainer. Personally, I wouldn't trade it for either of the other two, even though it's the least expensive. Additional comment: Several months after writing my original review above, I spent 3 weeks with my camera covering 10 stops in Europe. I took this lens and the Zeiss. I left my other lenses behind because I couldn't spare the weight budget. I'm now, more than ever, a huge fan of the lens reviewed here. I took over 2000 pictures, and my best shot -- afforded by its zoom range, was taken with this lens. This lens, matched with the A550 (or A500) body makes an absolutely formidable combination. Good shooting, Tim

Awesome lens!

Review Date: August 25, 2009

Reviewer: H. Kathem, Kuwait City, Kuwait

By far the best lens I bought. The great focal length of this lens covers almost every shot whether wide or zoomed, it's just perfect with no moving elements when auto focusing. This is a must-have lens for your alpha.

Great Glass!

Review Date: April 4, 2009

Reviewer: Lynn May, DEN,CO

If you can get a deal on this lens it will be a steal! This easily compares with the Sony Carl Zeiss 16-80mm lens with out letting go of several hundred more to get it.[...]I'm planning on using this for a trip and it will make a great lens for that.

A good lens for the price

Review Date: July 28, 2010

Reviewer: zeevb, Seattle, WA USA

I think I found the best affordable replacement for the kit lens I got with my Sony Alpha A300. The CZ 18-60mm was not in my budget. I've also tried the Tamron AF 17-50mm but had to return it because of a bad copy and it was a bit short for some of the photos I wanted to take. I found this lens to be a good compromise of price, range and quality.

Excellent Lense but Heavy

Review Date: January 19, 2009

Reviewer: Apple,

This is a very high quality lense. It takes excellent pictures with the Sony Alpha series. Fast Auto Focus. Great night shots, amazing actually. My only complaint is that the lense is very heavy as is the body, which makes carrying the camera inconvenient at times. Do the math on the weight before you buy. My friends have the Nikon Series and they all seem to be like feathers compared to my Sony boulder.