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Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G vs Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS

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Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G

Standard Zoom | Sony E

Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G
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Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS

Standard Zoom | Sony E

Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
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Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G vs Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G and Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS, two Standard Zoom lenses by Sony.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G Key Specs

  • 16-55mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 494g.
  • Diameter: 73mm
  • Length: 100mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.33m
  • Max Magnification:0.2x

Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Key Specs

  • 28-70mm Focal Range
  • F3.5 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Filter Thread: 55mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 295g.
  • Diameter: 73mm
  • Length: 83mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.4m
  • Max Magnification:0.2x

What type of photography are the Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G and Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G and the Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
Bird/WildlifeFairFair
SportsAverageFair
PortraitVery GoodGood
TravelVery GoodGood
StreetVery GoodGood
WeddingVery GoodGood
Walk AroundVery GoodVery Good
VloggingVery GoodGood
LandscapeVery GoodVery Good
MacroFairFair

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G is the longer of the two lenses at 100mm. The Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS with a length of 83mm is 17mm shorter. On the other hand, there is no difference between the max diameters of these lenses, both coming at 73mm.

Below you can find the scaled side by side image of Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G and Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS to get a better idea of how their size compare in real life.

Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G vs Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Lens Size Comparison
Comparison image of Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G and Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Size and Weight

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS weighs 295g, 40% (199g) lighter than the Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G's weight of 494g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the 'Standard Zoom Lenses in Sony E Mount for size comparison purposes.

Standard Zoom Lenses in Sony E Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS Lens Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS
113mm
83mm 663g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM Lens Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM
136mm
88mm 886g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 24-70 F2.8 DG DN Art Lens Sigma 24-70 F2.8 DG DN Art
123mm
88mm 835g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III RXD Lens Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III
117mm
73mm 550g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC
119mm
75mm 525g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar T Lens Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS
95mm
73mm 426g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II Lens Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
120mm
88mm 695g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS Lens Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS
30mm
65mm 116g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G and Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS has the same Sony E lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony E lenses are Sony FX30, Sony ZV-E10 and Sony A6600.

Focal Range

Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G has a focal range of 16-55mm and 3.4X zoom ratio which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 24-82.5mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera. Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS has a focal range of 28-70mm and 2.5X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 42 - 105mm.

Reasons to choose Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G over Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS

Focal Length - Wide 16mm vs 28mm 12mm Wider coverage
Optical Zoom 3.40x vs 2.50x More flexible focal coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 2.8 vs 3.5 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 2.8 vs 5.6 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs 7 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Weather Sealing Yes vs No safer to use under rain and dust
Minimum Focus Distance 0.33m vs 0.4m can focus closer to the subject

Reasons to choose Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS over Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G

Focal Length - Tele 70mm vs 55mm 15mm more Tele coverage
Image Stabilization Yes vs No Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Focus Type Internal Focusing vs Extending front Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Max Sensor Coverage 35mm FF vs APS-C / DX covers larger sensors
Weight 295g vs 494g 199g lighter
Length 83mm vs 100mm 17mm shorter
Filter Thread 55mm vs 67mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Common Weaknesses of Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G and Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
Internal Zoom No vs No Length of the lens changes during zooming



**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G vs Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Sony Sony
Lens Type Zoom Zoom
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Standard Zoom Standard Zoom
Lens Mount Sony E Sony E
Max Format APS-C / DX 35mm FF
Focal Range 16-55mm 28-70mm
Image Stabilization Yes
Colour Unknown Unknown
Zoom Method Rotary (extending) Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No -
Zoom Lock No -
Zoom Ratio 3.4X 2.5X
Aperture
Max Aperture F2.8 F3.5 - F5.6
Min Aperture F22 F22.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 9 7
Optics
Optical Elements 17 9
Optical Groups 12 8
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.33m 0.4m
Max Magnification 0.2X 0.2X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Linear Motor Stepper motor
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Extending front Internal
Distance Scale No Unknown
DoF Scale No Unknown
Distance Scale No Unknown
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 494g 295g
Diameter 73mm 73mm
Length 100mm 83mm
Materials Unknown Unknown
Weather Sealing Yes Unknown
Filter Thread 67mm 55mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code ALC-SH161 ALC-SH130
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
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