Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16–80mm F3.5–4.5 ZA

Released March 2007

An APS-C A-mount Zeiss standard zoom covering a 24–120 mm equivalent field of view with camera-driven autofocus.

Mount: Sony A
Focal length: 16–80 mm
Max aperture: f/3.5–4.5
Stabilisation: –
Weight: 445 g

Zoom

What reviewers say

Both praise detailed images and the flexible range, but find wide-angle distortion and vignetting, with only modest build quality. Cameralabs on Alpha100 finds autofocus slow and noisy; OpticalLimits on Alpha700 calls it fairly fast but audible. Cameralabs finds sharp distant corners but weaker close-range corners; OpticalLimits reports strong resolution from its replacement sample after the first was imperfect.

From cameralabs.com, cameralabs.com, cameralabs.com, cameralabs.com, photozone.de, photozone.de and photozone.de

Specifications

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Optics

Lens type: Zoom
Focal length: 16–80 mm
Maximum aperture: f/3.5–4.5
Minimum aperture: f/22–29
Optical construction: 14 elements in ten groups
Special elements: Two glass-moulded aspherical elements
Coatings: Zeiss T* coating
Diaphragm: Seven rounded blades
Angle of view: 83°–20° on APS-C

Mount and compatibility

Mounts: Sony A
Image circle: APS-C
Image circle detail: APS-C-only A-mount coverage; 24–120 mm equivalent field of view
Teleconverter support: Sony 1.4× and 2× teleconverters unsupported

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus: Yes
Minimum focus distance: 0.35 m
Maximum magnification: 0.24×
Autofocus detail: Camera-body screw-drive autofocus (Cameralabs and OpticalLimits); automatic clutch prevents focus-ring rotation during autofocus
Focus distance detail: 0.35 m minimum focus from the sensor plane; distance window. Internal focusing keeps front element stationary (Cameralabs)

Design

Filter diameter: 62 mm
Maximum diameter: 72 mm
Length: 83 mm
Weight: 445 g
Zoom design: Extending zoom barrel
Dimensions detail: Approximately 72 × 83 mm in the maker operating instructions
Weight detail: Approximately 445 g in the maker operating instructions
Lens hood: Petal-shaped bayonet hood
In the box: Lens, front and rear caps, hood, lens case and printed documentation
Release detail: Sony’s 23 February 2007 notice confirms Japanese sale from 23 March 2007 following the earlier March release plan; local dealer arrival could vary.

Pros and cons

Pros

16–80 mm zoom range
445 g weight
Internal focusing

Cons

APS-C coverage only
Autofocus requires camera screw drive

Closest rivals

Model	Mount	Focal length	Max aperture	Stabilisation	Weight	Released
SonyDT 16–50mm F2.8 SSM	Sony A	16–50 mm	f/2.8	No	577 g	Oct 2011
SonyVario-Sonnar T* 24–70mm F2.8 ZA SSM	Sony A	24–70 mm	f/2.8	–	955 g	Feb 2008
SonyVario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm F2.8 ZA SSM	Sony A	16–35 mm	f/2.8	–	860 g	Jan 2009

Sources

Photo: sony.jp

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