CameraDecision
  • CAMERAS
    • All Cameras
    • Cameras by Brand
      • Sony Cameras
      • Canon Cameras
      • Nikon Cameras
      • Pentax Cameras
      • Fujifilm Cameras
      • Olympus Cameras
      • Panasonic Cameras
      • Leica Cameras
      • Samsung Cameras
    • Cameras by Body Type
      • Mirrorless Cameras
      • DSLR Cameras
      • Compact Cameras
      • Bridge Cameras
      • Waterproof Cameras
    • Cameras by Lens Mount
      • Sony E Mount Cameras
      • Canon RF Mount Cameras
      • Nikon Z Mount Cameras
      • Micro Four Thirds Mount Cameras
      • Fujifilm X Mount Cameras
      • Leica L Mount Cameras
      • Nikon F Mount Cameras
      • Canon EF Mount Cameras
      • Canon EF M Mount Cameras
      • Canon EF S Mount Cameras
      • Pentax KAF Mount Cameras
      • Sony Alpha Mount Cameras
      • Fujifilm G Mount Cameras
      • Sigma SA Mount Cameras
      • Nikon 1 Mount Cameras
  • LENSES
    • All Lenses
    • Lenses by Mount
      • Sony E Mount Lenses
      • Canon RF Mount Lenses
      • Nikon Z Mount Lenses
      • Canon EF Mount Lenses
      • Canon EF M Mount Lenses
      • Canon EF S Mount Lenses
      • Nikon F Mount Lenses
      • Fujifilm X Mount Lenses
      • Micro Four Thirds Mount Lenses
      • Leica L Mount Lenses
      • Pentax KAF Mount Lenses
      • Fujifilm G Mount Lenses
      • Sigma SA Mount Lenses
      • Sony Alpha Mount Lenses
    • Teleconverters
    • Cinema Lenses
      • Sony E Mount Cine Lenses
      • Canon RF Mount Cine Lenses
      • Nikon Z Mount Cine Lenses
      • Canon EF Mount Cine Lenses
      • Nikon F Mount Cine Lenses
      • ARRI PL Mount Cine Lenses
      • Fujifilm X Mount Cine Lenses
      • Micro Four Thirds Mount Cine Lenses
      • Leica L Mount Cine Lenses
  • TOOLS
    • Cameras
      • Smart Find
      • 1-on-1 Comparison
    • Lenses
      • Smart Find
      • 1-on-1 Comparison
  • BLOG

Sony FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar T vs Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS

x
Lens to replace
Change

Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS

Standard Zoom | Sony E

Sony FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar T
CHECK PRICE
BUY from B&H PHOTO
Change
    
Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS

Standard Zoom | Sony E

Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS
CHECK PRICE
BUY from B&H PHOTO

Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS vs Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS for the E Mount and the Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS for the E Mount, two Standard Zoom lenses by Sony.

We will start by looking briefly at the main specs of these two lenses, and in the next section, we will start analyzing them in more detail and listing the pros and cons of each lens.

Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS Key Specs

  • 24-70mm Focal Range
  • F4.0 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Weather-sealed
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 426g.
  • Diameter: 73mm
  • Length: 95mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.4m
  • Max Magnification: 0.2x

Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS Key Specs

  • 16-50mm Focal Range
  • F3.5 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Filter Thread: 41mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 116g.
  • Diameter: 65mm
  • Length: 30mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.25m
  • Max Magnification: 0.21x

What type of photography are the Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS and Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ 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 FE 24-70mm F4 OSS and the Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS
Bird/WildlifeFairFair
SportsFairFair
PortraitGoodGood
TravelGoodGood
StreetGoodGood
WeddingGoodGood
Walk AroundVery GoodVery Good
VloggingGoodGood
LandscapeVery GoodVery Good

Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS is the longer of the two lenses at 95mm. The Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS with a length of 30mm, is 65mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS also has a larger diameter of 73mm compared to the Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS's 65mm diameter.

Below you can find a scaled side-by-side image of Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS and Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS to get a better idea of how their sizes compare in real life.

Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS vs Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS Lens Size Comparison
Comparison image of the Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS and the Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS Size and Weight

The 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 E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS weighs 116g, 72% (310g) lighter than the Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS's weight of 426g.


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 E 16-55mm F2.8 G Lens Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G
100mm
73mm 494g 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 FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Lens Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
83mm
73mm 295g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both the Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS and the Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS has the same Sony E lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony E lenses are Sony ZV-E1, Sony A7R V and Sony FX30.

Focal Range

Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS has a focal range of 24-70mm and 2.9X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 36 - 105mm.
Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS has a focal range of 16-50mm and 3.1X zoom ratio which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 24-75mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.

Reasons to choose Sony FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar T over Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS

Focal Length - Tele 70mm vs 50mm 20mm more Tele coverage
Max Aperture - Tele 4 vs 5.6 Wider aperture at tele end
Max Sensor Coverage 35mm FF vs APS-C / DX covers larger sensors
Weather Sealing Yes vs No safer to use under rain and dust

Reasons to choose Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS over Sony FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar T

Focal Length - Wide 16mm vs 24mm 8mm Wider coverage
Optical Zoom 3.10x vs 2.90x More flexible focal coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 3.5 vs 4 Wider aperture at wide end
Weight 116g vs 426g 310g lighter
Diameter 65mm vs 73mm 8mm smaller in diameter
Length 30mm vs 95mm 65mm shorter
Filter Thread 41mm vs 67mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.25m vs 0.4m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.21x vs 0.2x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Sony FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar T and Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS
Image Stabilization Yes vs Yes Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Common Weaknesses of Sony FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar T and Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS
Internal Zoom No vs No Length of the lens changes during zooming
Distance Scale No vs No No Distance Scale assist


**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 FE 24-70mm F4 OSS vs Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ 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 35mm FF APS-C / DX
Focal Range 24-70mm 16-50mm
Image Stabilization Yes Yes
Colour Black -
Zoom Method Rotary (internal) Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No Yes
Zoom Lock No Unknown
Zoom Ratio 2.9X 3.1X
Aperture
Max Aperture F4.0 F3.5 - F5.6
Min Aperture F22.0 F22.0 - F36.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 7 7
Optics
Optical Elements 12 9
Optical Groups 10 8
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.4m 0.25m
Max Magnification 0.2X 0.21X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Stepper motor Micromotor
Full Time Manual
Focus Method Internal -
Distance Scale No No
DoF Scale No -
Distance Scale No No
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 426g 116g
Diameter 73mm 65mm
Length 95mm 30mm
Materials All-metal construction -
Weather Sealing Yes No
Filter Thread 67mm 41mm
Hood Supplied Yes No
Hood Code ALC-SH130 -
Tripod Collar No No
Report a Correction
FOLLOW US


Latest Lenses
Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 f5-6.3
Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 f5-6.3
Leica L | F5-6.3 Telephoto Zoom
Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Sony E | F1.4 Standard Prime
Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD
Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD
Fujifilm X | F2.8 Wideangle Zoom
Leica Summicron-SL 50mm f2 ASPH
Leica Summicron-SL 50mm f2 ASPH
Leica L | F2.0 Standard Prime
Leica Summicron-SL 35mm f2 ASPH
Leica Summicron-SL 35mm f2 ASPH
Leica L | F2.0 Standard Prime
Most Popular Lenses
Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS
Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS
24-105mm | F4 Standard Zoom
Canon EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 III
Canon EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 III
75-300mm | F4.0 - F5.6 Telephoto Zoom
Nikon AF Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6G
Nikon AF Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6G
70-300mm | F4.0 - F5.6 Telephoto Zoom
Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
16-55mm | F2.8 Standard Zoom
Fujifilm XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS
Fujifilm XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS
18-55mm | F2.8 - F4.0 Standard Zoom
Copyright © 2023 by CameraDecision
Privacy About Contact Us SpeakerDecision

Report a Correction