Sony E 16-50mm F/3.5-5.6 PZ OSS

The Sony E 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ OSS is a compact standard zoom lens made for Sony E-mount cameras and camcorders. Key features include:

• Four-stop Optical SteadyShot image stabilization

• Electronically activated power zoom

• Manual focus ring

• Compact build

The Sony E 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ OSS is a compact standard zoom lens made for Sony E-mount cameras and camcorders. It features a retractable power zoom that’s electronically activated when the camera is powered on. This allows the lens to come in at a mere 1.18″ when not in use. The 35mm-equivalent focal length of 24-75mm makes it a great everyday walk-around lens, and Sony’s built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization unit provides up to four stops of correction for camera shake.

The 16-50mm PZ uses one ED element and four aspherical elements to minimize optical aberrations and provide high-contrast images with little field curvature. You can adjust the power zoom function via a zoom rocker switch on the side of the lens, but you can also use the dual-function control ring for both zooming and manual focus. When set to autofocus, the control ring functions as a power zoom ring, allowing a more hands-on approach than the rocker switch. When set to manual focus, the control ring provides accurate manual focus adjustment. This method works in both still and video shooting, making the 16-50mm PZ a great choice for any and all users.

Experience: Weekend rental.

Take: This is one of Sony’s kit lenses, and is great for point-and-shoot situations. Beyond that—it’s not very impressive. It lacks sharpness compared to many other Son…

Experience: Weekend rental.

Take: This is one of Sony’s kit lenses, and is great for point-and-shoot situations. Beyond that—it’s not very impressive. It lacks sharpness compared to many other Sony and Sigma lenses, and it has noticeable distortion and vignetting on the edges. It is small and has power zoom with stabilization, making this good for hobbyists and travel, but I wouldn’t recommend this for professional projects.