Sony DT 16–50mm F2.8 SSM vs Sony DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| SonyDT 16–50mm F2.8 SSM | SonyDT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | October 2011 | October 2009 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Prime |
| Focal length | 16–50 mm | 30 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Macro lens | – | Yes |
| Optical construction | 16 elements in 13 groups | Six elements in five groups |
| Special elements | Two aspherical elements and three ED elements | – |
| Diaphragm | Seven rounded blades | Seven blades; circular aperture |
| Angle of view | 83°–32° on APS-C | 50° on APS-C |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Sony A | Sony A |
| Image circle | APS-C | APS-C |
| Image circle detail | APS-C-only A-mount lens; 24–75 mm equivalent field of view | APS-C A-mount coverage; 45 mm equivalent field of view; Sony excludes film SLR use |
| Teleconverter support | Sony 1.4× and 2× teleconverters unsupported | Sony 1.4× and 2× teleconverters unsupported |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.3 m | 0.129 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.2× | 1× |
| Optical stabilisation | No | – |
| Autofocus detail | In-lens Super Sonic wave Motor (SSM); AF/MF switch | Built-in SAM (Smooth Autofocus Motor); autofocus available from infinity to life-size reproduction |
| Focus distance detail | 0.3 m minimum focus from the image-sensor plane; internal focus and distance scale | 0.129 m minimum focus measured from the sensor plane; approximately 2 cm working distance from the lens front at closest focus |
| Magnification detail | – | 1.0× maximum reproduction ratio |
| Stabilisation detail | No lens optical stabilisation; compatible camera bodies provide stabilisation | – |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | Yes | – |
| Filter diameter | 72 mm | 49 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 81 mm | 70 mm |
| Length | 88 mm | 45 mm |
| Weight | 577 g | 150 g (better) |
| Controls | Zoom lock at 16 mm (Photography Blog) | AF/MF switch; focus ring rotates during autofocus (What Digital Camera) |
| Dimensions detail | – | 70 mm maximum diameter × 45 mm length |
| Weight detail | – | Approximately 150 g, maker lens weight |
| Zoom design | Extending zoom barrel; front filter thread does not rotate during focusing (OpticalLimits) | – |
| Weather resistance | Dust- and moisture-resistant construction; Sony does not guarantee complete protection | – |
| Lens hood | ALC-SH117 petal-shaped bayonet hood | No lens hood specified |
| In the box | Lens, front cap, rear cap and hood | – |
| 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 specifies October 2009 availability in Hong Kong and 22 October 2009 sale in Japan. |
More comparisons
- Sony DT 16–50mm F2.8 SSM vs Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G
- Sony DT 16–50mm F2.8 SSM vs Sony Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16–80mm F3.5–4.5 ZA
- Sony Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm F2.8 ZA SSM vs Sony DT 16–50mm F2.8 SSM
- Sony DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM vs Sony E 30mm F3.5 Macro
- Sony DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM vs Sony DT 35mm F1.8 SAM
- Sony DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM vs Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM

