The Sony SEL1670Z Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS is a superb lens in every way for Sony NEX and Alpha E-mount APS-C cameras. "Superb" is not a synonym for "perfect". But it easily outclasses the basic Sony SEL1855 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 "kit" lens that is usually supplied with these cameras. The SEL1855 F3.5-5.6 "kit" lens is not a bad lens. I have made zillions, well tens of thousands, of images with the example I have that came with a NEX3 I once owned. But, I have seen a steady improvement with images that I have made with that same old SEL1855 lens as I have upgraded camera bodies and Sony has steadily improved its sensor technology. Going from a Sony NEX3 to a NEX5n to a NEX7 and then to an a6000 has resulted in substantial increases in image quality all using the same lowly kit lens that came with the NEX3.
That said, adding the Sony SEL1670Z Vario-Tessar to my Sony a6000 has made a noticeable difference. The overall sharpness seems subtly better. But it's in the corners and edges that you get what you pay for with zoom lenses. Zooms have always been weaker than prime lenses at the corners, with both softness and more aberrations and fringing. Stopping down has always been an option to get better performance, but it is no substitute for basic lens quality. The Sony SEL1670Z Vario-Tessar easily outclasses the SEL1855 when it comes to both wide open and stopped down performance. Although comparisons based on real world shooting are inexact and subjective, I would say that this lens approaches the image quality and corner to corner sharpness of my Sony SEL50F18 50mm f/1.8 prime lens in real world use. Micro-contrast, the ability of a lens to render subtle gradations across small details, to render surface textures with more nuance, an area where high quality lenses always tend to distinguish themselves over lower priced choices, is noticeably better. And, it manages to stretch the useful range to just a bit wider, making it no longer necessary to carry a separate 16mm lens, for example, and just longer enough, at 70mm versus 55mm, to help frame many shots that might have remained loose and in need of cropping. The Sony SEL1670Z Vario-Tessar has a steady maximum aperture of f/4.0, which is an added plus as focal length increases.
It's only slightly bigger than the SEL1855. The external finish and quality are excellent. Of course, you pay a premium for having the name "Zeiss" and the Zeiss logo on the barrel. But in this case I would say that it's worth it. If you are considering an upgrade from your basic kit lens this is well worth the stretch. But if you are a NEX5n or NEX7 owner, for example, upgrading to both an a6000 and this Sony SEL1670Z Vario-Tessar ens will be a revelation in improved image quality. I am a happy owner and user of the Sony SEL1670Z Vario-Tessar lens and I plan to cut back my camera gear load to carrying only this lens for almost all of my travels. RECOMMENDED.
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This Item  Sony SEL1670Z Vario-Tessar T E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS - International Version (No Warranty) |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $724.21 | -14% $648.00 List: $749.99 | $494.00 | $2,398.00 | $250.49 | -37% $499.00 New Price: $798.00 |
| Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 15 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Sold By | PORTABLE GUY | Amazon.com | Sunshine Photo & Electronics | ThePixelConnection | Electronics Basket | Minty Gadgets (we track serial numbers) |
| lens type | Wide Angle | Wide Angle | Standard | Telephoto | Telephoto | Telephoto |
| compatible mountings | Sony E | Sony E | Sony E | — | Sony E | Sony E |
| lens design | Zoom | Prime | Prime | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom |
| focus type | Auto Focus | Auto Focus | Auto Focus | — | — | Stepper motor |
| minimum focal length | 16 millimeters | — | — | 100 millimeters | 55 millimeters | 16 millimeters |
| max focal length | 70 millimeters | — | — | 400 millimeters | 210 months | 70 millimeters |
| fixed focal length | 70 millimeters | 15 millimeters | 50 millimeters | 400 millimeters | 210 millimeters | 70 millimeters |
| model name | sel1670z | SEL15F14G | 585965 | — | — | sel1670z |
| max aperture | 4 f stop | 1.4 f stop | 2.8 millimeters | 4.5 f stop | 4.5 f stop | 4 f stop |
| diaphragm blades | — | — | 7 | 9 | 7 | 4 |
| image stabilization | Optical | Optical | ✗ | Digital | Optical | Optical |
Reviews with images
best all in one lens for a6000
Great lens , although I haven't had much time to do what I really want with it , I can still see the big differences coming from Sony's 16-50 lens. Most of my shots have been in the dark and one at a night club and it's been outstanding. I really do love the look of the lens, it definitely makes my camera look sexy :)
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2015
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Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2015
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2017
Top reviews from other countries
うさまるこ
軽くて取り回しのいいレンズ
Reviewed in Japan on June 21, 2023
うさまるこ
Reviewed in Japan on June 21, 2023
標準レンズに比べれば収納時こそかさばりますが、ピントやズームは直感的にあわせやすく、なにせ軽いので持ち運びが楽です。
またAmazonで初めて中古品を買いましたが、ほぼ半値で傷もゴミも気にならない、綺麗な一品を手に入れる事ができたので満足しています。
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lshore
Very sharp lens! Its one drawback is that it ...
Reviewed in Canada on January 21, 2016
