Sony E 16mm F2.8

Sony

E 16mm F2.8

Released June 2010

A 67 g APS-C E-mount wide-angle pancake prime with a 22.5 mm length and optional front-mounted converters.

Mount
Sony E
Focal length
16 mm
Max aperture
f/2.8
Stabilisation
No
Weight
67 g

What reviewers say

Both value the tiny size but criticise vignetting, colour fringing and weak outer-frame sharpness on 24-megapixel bodies. OpticalLimits finds a sharp wide-open centre on the NEX-7 but persistently soft corners; Sony Alpha Blog finds a soft wide-open centre on the Alpha 6000, improving around F5.6–F8. Both question front-converter usefulness given the underlying optical limits.

From photozone.de, photozone.de and sonyalpha.blog

Optics

Lens type
Prime
Focal length
16 mm
Maximum aperture
f/2.8
Minimum aperture
f/22
Optical construction
Five elements in five groups
Special elements
One aspherical element with one aspherical surface
Diaphragm
Seven rounded blades
Angle of view
83° APS-C

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Sony E
Image circle
APS-C
Image circle detail
APS-C coverage; 24 mm equivalent field of view
Teleconverter support
Not compatible with Sony E-mount teleconverters; original VCL-ECF1 fisheye and VCL-ECU1 ultra-wide front converters supported

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus
Yes
Minimum focus distance
0.24 m
Maximum magnification
0.078×
Optical stabilisation
No
Autofocus detail
Internal motor; maker does not specify a particular motor technology
Focus distance detail
0.24 m minimum focus; electronically coupled manual-focus ring
Magnification detail
0.078× maximum magnification
Stabilisation detail
No optical stabilisation

Design

Filter diameter
49 mm
Maximum diameter
62 mm
Length
22.5 mm
Weight
67 g
Controls
Manual-focus ring; focus mode selected on camera; aluminium-alloy exterior
Dimensions detail
62 mm maximum diameter × 22.5 mm length
Weight detail
Approximately 67 g lens; separate caps excluded
Lens hood
No hood supplied or listed in maker specifications
In the box
Front cap and rear cap; no case listed
Release detail
Sony Japan’s announcement dated11 May2010 specifies the NEX-5A thin-lens kit containing this exact lens from3 June2010. Main release retains June month precision because exact global first day is not established; lens kit availability is distinguished from later separate-lens listings. Full independent reviews read: OpticalLimits/Photozone KlausSchroiff March2012 NEX-7 retest (both complete pages), and Sony Alpha Blog MarcAlhadeff August2018 Alpha6000. Centre/corner assessments differ and are kept tied to tested bodies. OpticalLimits’ original2010 review is not counted as a third independent publication. No unconfirmed coating/weather claim or inferred direct successor

Pros and cons

Pros

  • 67 g lens weight
  • 22.5 mm lens length
  • F2.8 maximum aperture

Cons

  • No optical stabilisation
  • No hood supplied

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
Sony E20 mmf/2.8No69 gMar 2013
Sony E24 mmf/1.8No225 gDec 2011
Sony E30 mmf/3.5No138 gSept 2011

Sources

  1. sony.jp/ichigan/products/SEL16F28/spec.html
  2. sony.jp/ichigan/products/SEL16F28/feature_1.html
  3. sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/201005/10-0511
  4. photozone.de/sony-alpha-aps-c-lens-tests/728-sony16f28nex7
  5. photozone.de/sony-alpha-aps-c-lens-tests/728-sony16f28nex7
  6. sonyalpha.blog/2018/08/25/sony-e-16mm-f2-8

Photo: sony.jp

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