Quick tech specs
- Fast F2.8 APS-C standard Zoom
- XD Linear Motor Offering Excellent Response and Low Vibration for Fast,Precise,Quiet AF
- Dust and Moisture-resistant Design
- Focus Mode Switch -
- Compact F2.8 APS-C standard Zoom G Lens
- Sony Nano AR Coating to Eliminate Flare and Ghosting
- Linear Response MF
Know your gear
Fast F2.8 APS-C standard zoom.
Enhance your purchase
Sony E-Mount 16-55mm f/2.8 G Lens Black is rated
4.90 out of
5 by
29.
Rated 5 out of
5 by
neon2000 from
amazing
everything i need it, quality is superb sharp pictures
Date published: 2025-01-08T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
dilettante from
Compact with lovely handling & optical performance
I wanted a lens that would give me close to the same range on my A6700 as I enjoy on my Sony R1s and this has fitted the bill very nicely. It’s a compact zoom that is easy to carry around that is well made and finished, looking handsome on the A6700. Zoom and focus rings have well-weighted movements. The lens mount is tight and positive.
The 67mm filter thread allows me to adopt a lot of the accessories that I use on the R1s and the other lenses I have for this system. The already decent close framing at the long end is boosted to mild macro levels with a 10mm extension tube or a supplementary close-up lens such as the Sony VCL-M3367, both of which are light and easy to carry and further extend the versatility of this zoom.
Optically, this is a very good performer and the constant f2.8 aperture makes it versatile in all lighting conditions. When stopped down a little you get the best out of it. Pixel peeping reveals very good, if not stellar, micro-contrast but sharpness is admirable and I’m very happy with the results so far.
Focus speed is excellent and it’s good that Sony have provided a focus-hold button on the lens body as well as the AF / MF switch.
Stabilisation provided by the A6700 works very well with this lens allowing me to shoot down to 1/20 sec. at the telephoto-end - pretty remarkable.
This lens is an ideal walk-around and travel companion with lovely handling and I’m going to be using it often.
Date published: 2024-03-19T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
CuriousMarc from
This is one spectacular APSC lens
I do mostly video with an FX-30. I expected I would use my motorized 18-105 f/4 APSC zoom G-lens more because of the extra zoom factor and the motor, an use the 16-55 for beauty stills or special shots. But instead I use this all the time. The 18-105 just does not focus close enough and you can't beat the 2.8 aperture. I wish they'd offer a motorized zoom version of this, but I guess they can't fit the motor.
Date published: 2024-07-09T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
CostTv from
Great Lense
Great lens and perfect for all that I need to do in social media and on my leisure…
Date published: 2024-06-19T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Txrtrider from
So far, so good!
Sold my 16-70 Zeiss f4. Zoom on this lens is much smoother and I like the f2.8.
Date published: 2019-11-17T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
jo bloggs from
Excellent
Does what it says on the box, extremely well, real field depth.
Date published: 2020-06-01T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
andymw from
Lives up to its reputation
My wife bought me this for Christmas and I've been playing with it since. This is definitely the best lense I have for my a6500. Very sharp at full aperture and easy to use. I love the constant f2.8. This will go with me everywhere. It'll probably not be my video lense of choice as my 24mm f1.8 Zeiss prime works better on the gimbal and is also a beautiful lense.
Date published: 2020-01-02T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Andy97 from
Let me just tell you....
So I paired this thing with my a6100... and even though this doesn't have OSS, its a monster when shooting stills. I have carried this thing up and down the Tetons climbing, and it works flawlessly.
Date published: 2020-08-21T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
macprudence1 from
Stunning crystal clear sharp corner 2 corner photo
Yes its expensive....but worth every penny. If you own the Sigma 16mm this lens is about the same weight and length. It has amazing sharpness, color, clarity, contrast...I can go on and on. I'm very happy with my purchase and you will be too.
Date published: 2020-01-26T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Matt Cee from
Everyday lens
I considered getting the three primes at 1.4 but I really enjoy travelling light. This one lens does the job for me. If I need anything else I’ll either rent a lens or just pull out my iPhone 11.
I’m shooting on the a6600 which is weather proof. This lens is only weather resistant which is a shame given the price point.
Date published: 2020-08-29T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
NomadingNick from
Perfect travel lens!
I used to travel with the Sigma Trio for Sony APS-C: 16mm, 30mm, 56mm F/1.4 and the quality was amazing. However, being the heavy traveler that I am (up to 6 continents this year, yes, I said continents, not countries!) I need something more travel friendly. Switching between 3 primes was just soooo annoying.
This 16-55mm G lens gives me just as good as image quality and now the extra convenience. Also for travel, I found myself shooting a lot of environmental portraits at F/2.8 - F/5.6. For example if the background is too blurred (i.e. Eiffel Tower or the Egyptian pyramids) then it doesn't show the beautiful scenery. Therefore I am not missing out much on the Sigma's F/1.4 at all.
Now all I need is for Sony to make a APSC super wide angle zoom version 2 (update the Sony E 10-18mm f/4 to a GM or G series!)
Date published: 2020-02-29T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
mgster from
Excellent but expensive
My copy of this lens is very sharp throughout the focal range, even in the corners. Low light performance is also decent for a zoom lens. CA is well managed. Fairly small, lightweight and build quality is excellent. The focal range is good and covers the most commonly used lengths. However at £1075 it is very expensive, and for this price I would also have expected built-in OSS. Despite this, I like the lens very much and am glad I bought it.
Date published: 2020-08-29T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Esoteric from
Just Like My Old Nikon But At Half The Price
I bought it as an XMAS gift to myself. I had an almost identical spec'd Nikon 16/55F2.8 with LINEAR MOTOR for my D90. It was huge and heavy. It had a relatively fast lens, and a focal length range for 95% of photos I took.
The Sony is smaller, lighter, and has a linear motor. Linear motors focus instantly and silently. If shooting candid shots, you will not miss focus.
Everyone rants at the cost of the Sony. Well the Nikon was $2500, 16 years ago! Even at street prices, the Sony came out cheaper.
Date published: 2020-08-05T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
ceev from
A Spectacular Lens
I bought this lens to replace my three Sigma f1.4 primes and apart from the loss of two stops of exposure have not been disappointed. The lens has exceptional sharpness and contrast at all apertures and focal lengths and easily matches or exceeds the Sigma primes. Build quality and handling are excellent.
Date published: 2020-01-11T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Duffeymoon from
A gold standard lens and no mistake.
Pin sharp focus from macro to zoom, bang on every time without exception a truly stellar lens.
Date published: 2025-01-24T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
cj3t from
Great all-rounder
So far so good, nice sharpness in most conditions, really appreciate the constant f2.8 aperture. The starburst effect at high f stop is fantastic and the bokeh is nice and smooth. The lens is a little bulkier than I'd like given it's a 16-55mm (doesnt fit in my camera case for my previous 16-70mm F4) but all in all very pleased with it.
Date published: 2021-01-25T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
handyandyNC from
amazing every day lens - very sharp and fast
I bought this about 2 months ago and it is the go to lens for the a6600. It does an amazing job, very fast, great bokeh.
Date published: 2021-02-07T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Elfmyra from
Great
It is amazing. I loved it quality so good even low light
Date published: 2021-02-13T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
cjmphotography88 from
Fantastic optics
Got this lens for my brand new a6600 and it is the perfect lens for it, super fast and tac sharp, really compact and light, looking forward to getting out and using it other than indoors.
Date published: 2021-07-14T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
djh_ from
Great all-around lens
This is a fantastic, tack-sharp lens. I use it to photograph my wife and kids, and a little landscape photography for fun. If I lost it or broke it I’d buy it again. Love it.
Date published: 2021-10-13T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
why is this so important from
Fast!
Fast lens. A bit bulky, but a fast lens usually is, by design. Very smooth and quiet. A bit pricey, but worth the cost.
Date published: 2022-01-21T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Chris1988 from
Fantastic optics
Got this lens for my brand new a6600 and it is the perfect lens for it, super fast and tac sharp, really compact and light, looking forward to getting out and using it other than indoors.
Date published: 2021-07-14T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Rob 59 from
Sony - E 16-55mm F2.8 G
This has got to be the sharpest lens i have ever used. The focusing is so fast on my a6400 is truly amazing and I havent lost a fast moving shot yet. It does look bulky on the a6400, but it feels balanced. Well worth the purchase.
Date published: 2023-01-28T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
TAllen from
Impressed!
So far, I'm impressed with this lens! I've only used G Masters in the past but wanted something smaller for travel.
Date published: 2024-01-14T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Perfect image guy from
Heavy but for the good and lacks OSS for some
I have used many Sony lens and this one has the most build of lens elements in the design. Having used cameras for over fifty years you know when a product gives good quality images without fudging them as I say. I am one of the old school photographers where the photo you took had to be spot on so maybe twenty photos one would be the right one this was on film and that cost money where as now if I take fifty shots it does not matter . So I have only had the lens for a few hours but in that time got the feel of the weight and operation of the lens, while normally within the first hour I would have taken around thirty photos this exercise was only 20 over the twenty shots my main goal is perfection of all the colours and in focus sharpness must be spot on. I check on what colours I am photographing against the actual subjects while they are still there to see. So the lens operates as I would expect it smooth and precise when I am out and about sometime there is no second chance especially with wild life and focus is the essence. If I am photographing moving object I like to be in control while bust control is there on my Sony camera there is something special about taken how many images and the art of doing it. So onto OSS while it's in my title I was brought up to use a camera to eliminate camera shake and can say this lens on my Sony body without built in stabilising is as it should be perfect. A word on the weight it does help to overcome OSS So overall without OSS which some photographers would like it loses a star
Date published: 2022-04-27T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Quality King from
Heavy but for the good and lacks OSS for some
I have used many Sony lens and this one has the most build of lens elements in the design. Having used cameras for over fifty years you know when a product gives good quality images without fudging them as I say. I am one of the old school photographers where the photo you took had to be spot on so maybe twenty photos one would be the right one this was on film and that cost money where as now if I take fifty shots it does not matter . So I have only had the lens for a few hours but in that time got the feel of the weight and operation of the lens, while normally within the first hour I would have taken around thirty photos this exercise was only 20 over the twenty shots my main goal is perfection of all the colours and in focus sharpness must be spot on. I check on what colours I am photographing against the actual subjects while they are still there to see. So the lens operates as I would expect it smooth and precise when I am out and about sometime there is no second chance especially with wild life and focus is the essence. If I am photographing moving object I like to be in control while bust control is there on my Sony camera there is something special about taken how many images and the art of doing it. So onto OSS while it's in my title I was brought up to use a camera to eliminate camera shake and can say this lens on my Sony body without built in stabilising is as it should be perfect. A word on the weight it does help to overcome OSS So overall without OSS which some photographers would like it loses a star
Date published: 2022-04-27T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
ELF 01 from
Great All-rounder
If you could only have one lens and you shoot Super 35 (APS-C) then this is the lens to choose. F2.8 throughout the zoom, it’s a very fine accompaniment to the Sony fx30. Highly recommended…
Date published: 2024-04-26T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Diletante from
Compact with lovely handling & optical performance
I wanted a lens that would give me close to the same range on my A6700 as I enjoy on my Sony R1s and this has fitted the bill very nicely. It’s a compact zoom that is easy to carry around that is well made and finished, looking handsome on the A6700. Zoom and focus rings have well-weighted movements. The lens mount is tight and positive.
The 67mm filter thread allows me to adopt a lot of the accessories that I use on the R1s and the other lenses I have for this system. The already decent close framing at the long end is boosted to mild macro levels with a 10mm extension tube or a supplementary close-up lens such as the Sony VCL-M3367, both of which are light and easy to carry and further extend the versatility of this zoom.
Optically, this is a very good performer and the constant f2.8 aperture makes it versatile in all lighting conditions. When stopped down a little you get the best out of it. Pixel peeping reveals very good, if not stellar, micro-contrast but sharpness is admirable and I’m very happy with the results so far.
Focus speed is excellent and it’s good that Sony have provided a focus-hold button on the lens body as well as the AF / MF switch.
Stabilisation provided by the A6700 works very well with this lens allowing me to shoot down to 1/20 sec. at the telephoto-end - pretty remarkable.
This lens is an ideal walk-around and travel companion with lovely handling and I’m going to be using it often.
Date published: 2024-03-19T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
JamesH81 from
Fantastic lens
This lens is fantastic. It is really sharp and detailed. The build quality feels solid. I am very happy with the product.
Date published: 2024-03-24T00:00:00-04:00