Scored using Camera lenses Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are evaluated mathematically under Frontumo Camera lenses Methodology v1.0 using verified laboratory benchmarks, technical specifications, and authentic consumer ratings with 0% commercial bias.
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Sony E 16mm F2 8 Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price:~£180Lens mount:Sony EMaximum focal length:16 mmMaximum aperture (telephoto end):2.8Optical image stabilization:noMaximum angle of view:83 °

Sony E 16mm F2 8 Review: Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Camera lenses category and whether it is worth buying.

6.5

Overall score

Score
6.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the camera lens's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best camera lenses on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

80%

6.0

Technical score

20%

8.6

User score

â–¼Worse than 63% of camera-lenses
6.0

Technical score

Technical score
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

35%

6.8

Optics & Aperture

24%

5.9

Build & Handling

20%

5.6

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

8.2

Mount & Format

â–¼Worse than 67% of camera-lenses
8.6

User score

User score
8.6/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

8.3

User ratings

30%

9.3

Number of reviews

Based on 1,729 buyer reviews from online shops.
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
â–²Better than 60% of camera-lenses
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Best prices

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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of camera lens Sony E 16mm F2 8

Technical score
Technical score
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

35%

6.8

Optics & Aperture

24%

5.9

Build & Handling

20%

5.6

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

8.2

Mount & Format

6.0
User score
User score
8.6/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

8.3

User ratings

30%

9.3

Number of reviews

Based on 1,729 buyer reviews from online shops.
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
8.6
Popularity
Popularity
9.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Popularity:
Sony E 16mm F2 8 has a popularity score of 9.3 points, which is higher than 83.9% of camera lenses.
9.3
Value for money
Value for money
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the camera lens's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you want to know how much overall quality you get for the price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

60%

6.5

Overall score

40%

9.6

Price

7.5
Lens type
prime
Lens mount
Sony E
Sensor format coverage
APS-C
Filter thread size
49 mm
Teleconverter compatibility
yes
Teleconverter compatibility
yes
This camera lens supports teleconverters. 15.2% of camera lenses support teleconverters.
Show more
Minimum focal length
16 mm
Maximum focal length
16 mm
Optical zoom
N/A
Maximum angle of view
83 °
Minimum angle of view
83 °
Show more
Focus motor
DC motor
Minimum focus distance
0.24 m
Minimum focus distance
0.24 m
This camera lens focuses as close as 0.24 m, which is closer than 73.8% of camera lenses and equal to 2.8% of camera lenses.
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.078xx
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.078x
This camera lens reaches a reproduction ratio of 0.078x, which is lower than 96.8% of camera lenses and equal to 2% of camera lenses.
Full-time manual focus
yes
Full-time manual focus
yes
This camera lens supports full-time manual focus. 68.3% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
Override via DMF mode.
Internal focusing
yes
Internal focusing
yes
This camera lens supports internal focusing. 83.6% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Show more
Optical image stabilization
no
Optical image stabilization
no
This camera lens does not support optical image stabilization. 29.1% of camera lenses include optical image stabilization.
Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)
N/A
Weight
84 g
Weight
84 g
This camera lens weighs 84 g, which is lighter than 98% of camera lenses.
Lens length
22.5 mm
Lens length
22.5 mm
This camera lens is 22.5 mm long, which is shorter than 98.8% of camera lenses and equal to the length of 0.1% of camera lenses.
Lens diameter
62 mm
Lens diameter
62 mm
This camera lens has a diameter of 62 mm, which is slimmer than 90.2% of camera lenses and equal to that of 0.8% of camera lenses.
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
This camera lens does not support weather sealing. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
Metal mount
yes
Metal mount
yes
This camera lens uses a metal lens mount. 93.6% of camera lenses use a metal lens mount.
Show more
DxOMark overall score
?
DxOMark sharpness score
?
DxOMark transmission
?
DxOMark distortion
?
DxOMark vignetting
?
Show more

Sony E 16mm F2 8 vs the average camera lens

246810TotalMount & FormatOptics & ApertureFocus & ControlsStabilizationBuild & HandlingLab Scores
  • Teleconverter compatible
    Teleconverter compatibility
    yes
    This camera lens supports teleconverters, while the average camera lens does not.
  • 426 g lighter
    Weight
    84 g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (84 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    84 g vs 510 g
  • 69.75 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    22.5 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (22.5 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    22.5 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 15 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    62 mm
    This camera lens is slimmer than the average camera lens (62 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    62 mm vs 77 mm
  • 0.06 m shorter minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.24 m
    This camera lens has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.24 m vs 0.3 m
  • 2.94x cheaper
    Sony E 16mm F2 8 is cheaper than the average camera lens (£180 vs £530).
    £180 vs £530
  • 28% more popular
    Sony E 16mm F2 8 is more popular than the average camera lens (9.32 vs 7.3).
    9.32 vs 7.29
  • 2.94x cheaper
    Sony E 16mm F2 8 is cheaper than the average camera lens (£180 vs £530).
    £180 vs £530
  • 28% more popular
    Sony E 16mm F2 8 is more popular than the average camera lens (9.32 vs 7.3).
    9.32 vs 7.29
  • Teleconverter compatible
    Teleconverter compatibility
    yes
    This camera lens supports teleconverters, while the average camera lens does not.
  • 0.06 m shorter minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.24 m
    This camera lens has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.24 m vs 0.3 m
  • 426 g lighter
    Weight
    84 g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (84 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    84 g vs 510 g
  • 69.75 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    22.5 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (22.5 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    22.5 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 15 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    62 mm
    This camera lens is slimmer than the average camera lens (62 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    62 mm vs 77 mm
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • 2 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    7
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    7 vs 9
  • No lens hood
    Lens hood included
    no
    This camera lens does not include a lens hood, the average camera lens does. 88.7% of camera lenses include a lens hood.
  • 2 fewer low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    0
    This camera lens has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    0 vs 2
  • 0.11 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.078 x
    This camera lens has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.1 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.078 x vs 0.192 x
  • 1 fewer aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    1
    This camera lens has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (1 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    1 vs 2
  • Older release date
    Release date
    2010
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    2010 vs 2016
  • 2 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    7
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    7 vs 9
  • 2 fewer low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    0
    This camera lens has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    0 vs 2
  • 1 fewer aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    1
    This camera lens has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (1 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    1 vs 2
  • 0.11 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.078 x
    This camera lens has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.1 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.078 x vs 0.192 x
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • No lens hood
    Lens hood included
    no
    This camera lens does not include a lens hood, the average camera lens does. 88.7% of camera lenses include a lens hood.
  • Older release date
    Release date
    2010
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    2010 vs 2016

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

I
imaging-resource.com
06/12/2010
Summary of the review
L
lenstip.com
16/02/2011
Summary of the review
S
sonyalphalab.com
14/09/2011
Summary of the review
P
photozone.de
01/03/2012
Summary of the review
K
kenrockwell.com
May 2010 (Updated later)
Summary of the review
T
trailtopeak.com
08/05/2017
Summary of the review
D
danpandrea.com
18/05/2019
Summary of the review
P
pcmag.com
30/07/2019
Summary of the review
A
au.pcmag.com
31/07/2019
Summary of the review
D
digitalkamera.de
20/08/2011
Summary of the review
D
digitalkamera.de
06/07/2010
Summary of the review
S
systemkamera-forum.de
24/02/2011
Summary of the review
L
lesdeuxpiedsdehors.com
25/06/2025
Summary of the review
A
alphadxd.fr
28/08/2018
Summary of the review
R
radojuva.com
06/10/2020
Summary of the review
D
digitalcamaralens.com
Undated
Summary of the review
N
nadir.it
10/05/2026
Summary of the review
T
tweakers.net
14/11/2011
Summary of the review
F
fotoverweij.nl
N/A
Summary of the review

Third-party reviews

Based on 1,729 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this

What we like about Sony E 16mm F2 8

  • Extremely compact 'pancake' design and lightweight for portability
  • Affordable price point, especially when purchased used
  • Solid metal build quality with a premium feel
  • Versatile wide-angle focal length (24mm equivalent)
  • Compatible with wide-angle and fisheye screw-on converters
  • Quiet and smooth autofocus performance

What we don't like about Sony E 16mm F2 8

  • Significant softness and lack of sharpness in the corners
  • Needs to be stopped down to f/5.6 or f/8 for acceptable edge-to-edge sharpness
  • Does not support modern phase-detection autofocus (limited to contrast AF)
  • Lack of built-in Optical SteadyShot (OSS) image stabilization
  • Noticeable chromatic aberration and mustache distortion
  • Dated optical design compared to newer APS-C alternatives

Verdict

The Sony E 16mm f/2.8 (SEL16F28) is an exceptionally compact, wide-angle pancake lens designed for APS-C mirrorless cameras, offering a 35mm equivalent focal length of 24mm. Key technical specifications include an optical construction of 5 elements in 5 groups with one aspherical element to reduce aberrations, a 49mm filter thread, and an ultra-slim 22.5mm profile weighing only 67g. Its main characteristics and advantages are its pocket-friendly portability, quiet internal autofocus motor suitable for video, and compatibility with dedicated ultra-wide and fisheye converters. However, notable cons include significant edge and corner softness at wide apertures, lack of optical image stabilisation, and visible chromatic aberration and vignetting in certain lighting conditions.

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