Sony DT 16–50mm F2.8 SSM vs Sony Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16–80mm F3.5–4.5 ZA

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DT 16–50mm F2.8 SSM compared with Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16–80mm F3.5–4.5 ZA

	SonyDT 16–50mm F2.8 SSM	SonyVario-Sonnar T* DT 16–80mm F3.5–4.5 ZA
Overview
Released
Released	October 2011	March 2007
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	16–50 mm	16–80 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/3.5–4.5
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/22–29
Optical construction
Optical construction	16 elements in 13 groups	14 elements in ten groups
Special elements
Special elements	Two aspherical elements and three ED elements	Two glass-moulded aspherical elements
Coatings
Coatings	–	Zeiss T* coating
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Seven rounded blades	Seven rounded blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	83°–32° on APS-C	83°–20° on APS-C
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Sony A	Sony A
Image circle
Image circle	APS-C	APS-C
Image circle detail
Image circle detail	APS-C-only A-mount lens; 24–75 mm equivalent field of view	APS-C-only A-mount coverage; 24–120 mm equivalent field of view
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	Sony 1.4× and 2× teleconverters unsupported	Sony 1.4× and 2× teleconverters unsupported
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.3 m	0.35 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.2×	0.24×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	No	–
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	In-lens Super Sonic wave Motor (SSM); AF/MF switch	Camera-body screw-drive autofocus (Cameralabs and OpticalLimits); automatic clutch prevents focus-ring rotation during autofocus
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	0.3 m minimum focus from the image-sensor plane; internal focus and distance scale	0.35 m minimum focus from the sensor plane; distance window. Internal focusing keeps front element stationary (Cameralabs)
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	No lens optical stabilisation; compatible camera bodies provide stabilisation	–
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	–
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	72 mm	62 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	81 mm	72 mm
Length
Length	88 mm	83 mm
Weight
Weight	577 g	445 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Zoom lock at 16 mm (Photography Blog)	–
Zoom design
Zoom design	Extending zoom barrel; front filter thread does not rotate during focusing (OpticalLimits)	Extending zoom barrel
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	–	Approximately 72 × 83 mm in the maker operating instructions
Weight detail
Weight detail	–	Approximately 445 g in the maker operating instructions
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Dust- and moisture-resistant construction; Sony does not guarantee complete protection	–
Lens hood
Lens hood	ALC-SH117 petal-shaped bayonet hood	Petal-shaped bayonet hood
In the box
In the box	Lens, front cap, rear cap and hood	Lens, front and rear caps, hood, lens case and printed documentation
Release detail
Release detail	Sony Electronics announced October 2011 retail availability in the USA. Japanese Alpha77 lens kits went on sale on 14 October, while separate lens availability was subsequently delayed to December.	Sony’s 23 February 2007 notice confirms Japanese sale from 23 March 2007 following the earlier March release plan; local dealer arrival could vary.