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Sony FE 16mm f/1.8 G specifications and in-depth review

Sony FE 16mm f/1.8 G

Manufacturer: Sony

The Sony FE 16mm f/1.8 G is a prime lens designed for Sony E-mount cameras, offering a versatile 16mm focal length with a wide f/1.8 aperture. It's built with a metal mount and weather-sealing, making it durable for various shooting conditions.

This lens features 107° maximum angle of view and a magnification of 0.25x, ideal for wide-angle shots. It also includes a reversible lens hood and a focus motor for smooth, silent focusing, while offering a minimum focus distance of 0.15 meters.

Pros
  • Weather-sealed construction provides splashproof protection, enhancing reliability in various environmental conditions.
  • The 67mm filter size offers compatibility with a wide range of filters.
  • Lightweight design at 304g makes the lens easy to handle for extended shooting sessions.
  • Silent focus motor built into the lens ensures quiet autofocus performance, ideal for video and discreet photography.
  • The lens includes a reversible lens hood, offering convenience for storage and protection.
Cons
  • Lacks built-in optical image stabilization, which could be a limitation for handheld shooting in low light.
  • The lens has no full-time manual focus, restricting fine manual adjustments while the camera is set to autofocus.
Who is this for?

The Sony FE 16mm f/1.8 G lens is ideal for photographers and videographers seeking a lightweight, durable, and versatile wide-angle lens. Its weather-sealed design makes it suitable for outdoor shooting in various conditions, while its silent focus motor ensures smooth and quiet autofocus, making it particularly useful for video work. With a wide f/1.8 aperture, it's well-suited for low-light environments and achieving a shallow depth of field in portraits or landscapes.

Who is this NOT for?

This lens may not be suitable for users who require optical image stabilization for handheld shooting in low-light conditions, as it lacks this feature. Additionally, the absence of full-time manual focus could be a limitation for photographers who need precise control over focus during autofocus operation, especially in fast-paced or challenging environments.

General info:

lens type Prime, Standard
lens mount Sony E
release date April 2025
is weather-sealed (splashproof) ✓
Has a metal mount ✓
weight 304 g
Front element doesn't rotate ✓
Includes lens hood ✓
Lens hood is reversible ✓
filter size 67 mm

The Sony FE 16mm f/1.8 G lens features a Sony E-mount and a metal mount, ensuring durability and compatibility with Sony's mirrorless cameras. It is also weather-sealed for splashproof protection, making it suitable for various outdoor environments. With a weight of just 304g, it remains lightweight for easy handling. The lens has a 67mm filter size, and the front element doesn't rotate, making it convenient for filters and polarizers. It also includes a lens hood that is reversible for storage convenience.

Optics:

maximum focal length 16 mm
minimum focal length 16 mm
has built-in optical image stabilization ✕
maximum angle of view 107°
minimum angle of view 107°
magnification 0.25x
optical zoom 1x

The Sony FE 16mm f/1.8 G lens offers a 16mm focal length throughout its range, with a 107° maximum angle of view that delivers expansive, wide-angle shots. It features a 0.25x magnification, providing moderate close-up capabilities. Although it lacks built-in optical image stabilization, it offers an optical zoom of 1x, maintaining a consistent focal length throughout the zoom range.

Aperture:

wide aperture (main camera) 1.8f
widest aperture at maximum focal length 1.8f
aperture blades 11
Has rounded aperture blades ✓
smallest aperture at maximum focal length 1.8f
smallest aperture at minimum focal length 22f

The Sony FE 16mm f/1.8 G lens offers a wide f/1.8 aperture throughout its focal length range, allowing for excellent low-light performance and depth of field control. It features 11 aperture blades, which contribute to a pleasing bokeh effect, and rounded aperture blades that help produce smoother out-of-focus highlights. The lens provides a maximum aperture of f/1.8 and a minimum aperture of f/22.

Focus:

Can focus to infinity ✓
Has focus motor ✓
Has full-time manual focus ✕
has a silent focus motor built into the lens ✓
minimum focus distance 0.15 m

The Sony FE 16mm f/1.8 G lens is capable of focusing to infinity, offering flexibility for various shooting scenarios. It includes a focus motor for quick and precise autofocus and features a silent focus motor built into the lens, ensuring quiet operation. The lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.15 meters, making it suitable for close-up photography.

Benchmarks:

Final Verdict

The Sony FE 16mm f/1.8 G is a solid wide-angle lens designed for Sony E-mount cameras, offering key features like weather-sealing and a silent focus motor that make it a reliable choice for both photographers and videographers. Its wide f/1.8 aperture allows for excellent low-light performance and creative depth of field control. While the lack of built-in optical image stabilization and full-time manual focus may limit some use cases, its compact size, durable build, and smooth autofocus performance make it a great option for general-purpose wide-angle shooting. Overall, it's a well-rounded lens suitable for outdoor, travel, and video-focused photography.