Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G vs Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

E 16-55mm F2.8 G compared with Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS
SonyE 16-55mm F2.8 GSonyVario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2019September 2013
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length16–55 mm16–70 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/4
Minimum aperturef/22f/22
Optical constructionSeventeen elements in twelve groupsSixteen elements in twelve groups
Special elementsTwo AA (advanced aspherical) elements, two further aspherical elements and three ED glass elementsFour aspherical elements, including one AA advanced aspherical, and one ED element
CoatingsNano AR Coating and fluorine-coated front elementZEISS T* coating
DiaphragmNine rounded bladesSeven rounded blades
Angle of view83°–29° APS-C83°–23° APS-C
Mount and compatibility
MountsSony ESony E
Image circleAPS-CAPS-C
Image circle detailAPS-C coverage; 24–82.5 mm equivalent field of viewAPS-C-only image circle; 24–105 mm equivalent field of view
Teleconverter supportNot compatible with SEL14TC or SEL20TCSony 1.4× and 2× teleconverters unsupported
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.33 m0.35 m
Maximum magnification0.2×0.23×
Optical stabilisationNoYes
Autofocus detailXD linear motor for autofocusLinear motor and internal focusing
Focus distance detail0.33 m minimum focus; Linear Response MF–
Magnification detail0.20× maximum magnification–
Stabilisation detailNo optical stabilisation; compatible bodies provide stabilisationBuilt-in Optical SteadyShot; no stop rating published in read current maker pages
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYes–
Filter diameter67 mm55 mm
Maximum diameter73 mm66.6 mm
Length100 mm75 mm
Weight494 g308 g (better)
ControlsSeparate zoom and manual-focus rings, AF/MF switch and one customisable focus-hold button; no aperture ringSeparate focus and zoom rings; camera controls focus mode and optical stabilisation
Zoom designBarrel extends during zooming; Photography Blog measured approximately 35 mm additional extension from 16 to 55 mm–
Filter detail67 mm front filter thread; front filter does not rotate during focusing (Photography Blog)55 mm front filter thread
Weather resistanceDust- and moisture-resistant design; not guaranteed completely dust- or moisture-proof–
Dimensions detail73 mm maximum diameter × 100 mm length–
Weight detailApproximately 494 g lens; separate hood and caps excluded–
Lens hoodALC-SH161 petal bayonet hoodALC-SH127 petal bayonet hood, supplied
In the boxALC-SH161 hood, ALC-F67S front cap, ALC-R1EM rear cap and soft caseALC-SH127 hood, front and rear caps, soft case
Release detailSony Hong Kong specified end of September 2019 availability. Photography Blog Mark Goldstein tested Alpha 6600. Digital Camera World Chris George and Matthew Richards identify Alpha 6600 sample images and Alpha 6400 lab testing. Their long-end corner assessments differ; Digital Camera World explicitly removed forced distortion correction for raw lab testing. Reviews’ historical stabilised-body lists are not used as a current compatibility restrictionSony Japan 27 August 2013 announcement specifies 13 September first sale; no earlier sale established in read sources. UK advanced-vlogging product list retains SEL1670Z, whereas Japan product page says Sony Store sales ended.

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