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Sony Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA

	APS-C sized image Lenses that create APS-C sized image are designed for digital only. They cannot be used on cameras that have image sensor larger than the APS-C format. These lenses are not suitable for film cameras either. Not stabilized Image stabilization helps to reduce blur caused by hand shake, especially at high focal length or in low light situations. Image stabilization can give 1 to 3 stop advantage over none stabilized lens, based on the reciprocal rule. No drop-in filter support Drop-in filters are used in those lenses where either the front lens is too large, or the field of view doesn't permit the use of traditional filters at the front of the lens. Usually bright tele and ultra-wide angle lenses support this filter type.
The ultimate all-in-one zoom lens designed specifically for DSLR imaging. It’s the first professional-grade 5X zoom lens specifically designed for APS-size CCD image sensors -- providing incredible precision in a single compact, easy-to-carry lens that carries you from 24mm wide-angle to 120mm telephoto (35mm equivalent). Advanced Carl Zeiss® optical design and anti-flare T* Coating make this one of the most valued lenses in the world of digital photography.

The ultimate all-in-one zoom lens designed specifically for DSLR imaging. It’s the first professional-grade 5X zoom lens specifically designed for APS-size CCD image sensors -- providing incredible precision in a single compact, easy-to-carry lens that carries you from 24mm wide-angle to 120mm telephoto (35mm equivalent). Advanced Carl Zeiss® optical design and anti-flare T* Coating make this one of the most valued lenses in the world of digital photography.

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Sony Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA Specification

Sony Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA Specification
Available mount(s)	Sony / Minolta A
Application(s)	Portrait, Closeup, Landscape, Interiors, Architecture
Category(s)	Wide angle zoom
Multiplier	1.5×
Stabilizer	no
Focal length	16 - 80 mm (5× zoom)
Lens construction	14 elements in 10 groups
Angle of view	35mm: N/A digital: 83-20°
Number of blades	7
Maximum aperture	wide: f/3.5 tele: f/4.5
Minimum aperture	wide: f/22 tele: f/29
Minimum focusing distance	62 cm
Magnification	0.24×
Filter size	62 mm
Size	∅ 72 × 83 mm
Weight	440 g
Notes
AF speed	N/A
AF sound
Internal focusing	N/A
Internal zoom	N/A
Fix front lens	N/A
Mount type	N/A
Weather sealed	N/A
Drop in filter	no
Ultrasonic AF	N/A
APS-C sized circle	yes
Low dispersion lens element	N/A
Hard case	N/A
Soft case	N/A
Lens hood	included
Tripod adapter	N/A

Sony Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA Reviews

Sony Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA in the news

Other reviews

Sony Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA review at www.digineff.cz (Czech)
Sony Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA review at www.cameralabs.com (English)
Sony Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA review at dc.watch.impress.co.jp (Japanese)
Sony Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA review at www.fotopolis.pl (Polish)
Sony Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA review at www.fotopolis.pl (Polish)

Sony Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA Owner Reviews

Most useful owner reviews from Amazon

Great all-purpose zoom lens

Nov 2, 2007

I recently purchased SONY A700K, which is a A700 plus SONY 18-70 zoom lens bundle. The bundled lens turned out to be a nightmare. So I purchased this SAL-1680Z. Do I like it? Let me tell you.
If you really really care about sharpness, resolution, MTF, then get multiple prime lenses. No zoom lenses match any Minolta/Sony prime lenses in this category.
But if you can compromise a little bit (just a little bit) and want some 5x zoom convenience, look no further. This lens gives you all. Yes it is not cheap for a digital-format (1.5x FOV) lens, but in addition you get the "Zeiss" color: deep and classy.
Is it perfect? No, it shows some vignetting when wide open.

Bottom line: If you have Sony Alpha 700 (or 100) and if you want a zoom lens which you can use on almost any situation, save some money and get this.

Excellent Zeiss Zoom Lens For Sony Alpha System

Nov 3, 2007

This is an exceptional zoom lens which owners of Konica Minolta Maxxum SLR cameras as well as Sony Alpha SLR cameras should strongly consider adding to their kits. I recently had the opportunity to use it at this year's Photo Plus East and was quite impressed with the extremely high color saturation and resolution of this lens, trying it with the brand new flagship Sony Alpha 700 SLR camera. This lens is one of the reasons why I might consider adding the Sony Alpha system to my current camera kits; the others are the Zeiss 85mm f1.4 Planar and 135mm f1.8 Sonnar lenses. Quality-wise, I think these lenses compare favorably with the late, lamented autofocus Contax N-mount Zeiss lenses (Like those lenses the new Sony Alpha Zeiss lenses are built in Japan under strict Zeiss quality control, using designs made by Zeiss at its Oberkochen, Germany headquarters, where some Zeiss lenses are still being made for the Zeiss Ikon ZM rangefinder camera system and the Hasselblad "V" series medium format cameras. I am emphasizing this point only because one Sony representative at the show claimed that Zeiss doesn't build its lenses anywhere.). Without question, this lens is more expensive than its equivalent Sony/Konica Minolta peers, but serious amateurs and professionals using either Sony Alpha or Konica Minolta Maxxum cameras will soon realize that it is well worth its price.

Sony SAL-1680Z Lens Review

Sep 14, 2007

I have been an amateur photographer for years, shooting with film cameras. When I purchased my old film camera, it came with an inexpensive "kit" lens that did not perform to my expectations. I ended up having to buy a new (and better) lens for it.

I recently purchased a Sony Alpha A100 digital camera with the 18-70 mm DT "kit" lens.

Although the camera itself performs admirably, the included lens was not as sharp and crisp as I wanted or expected.

So, as before with the film cameras, I purchased a better lens for the Sony Alpha - the SAL-1680Z 16-80 mm Carl Zeiss Zoom Lens.

The lens is obviously much better quality. It feels "tighter", and it's made in Japan rather than China. The lens is also heavier than typical "cheap" plastic lenses. Not "too heavy", but the kind of weight that says "quality".

However, the big difference came when I TRIED the lens and zoomed way into the resulting digital images.

This lens is razor sharp, with absolutely no chromatic abberation at any zoom length.

The only optical "problem" with this lens is a VERY slight vignetting in the extreme corners of the image when the lens is at full wide angle (16 mm). The field of view of this lens is so wide that lens attachments such as a protective UV filter ring must be chosen carefully so that they do not intrude into the image.

The zoom is smooth... the focus is super fast and scary precise.

The lens has an internal clutch which disengages the focus ring in auto focus mode. Cheap kit lenses do not have this feature.

This lens is amazingly good - it perfectly complements the Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera.

If you buy the Sony Alpha camera, you absolutely must get this Carl Zeiss lens or another lens of similar high quality, in order to take full advantage of what the camera can do.

Edit to add: I recently purchased an A-700 camera body. Of course, this lens also works with the A-700... and the resulting pictures are even better!

This lens rates 5 stars plus!

A magnificient lens for my SONY a100!

Jul 9, 2007

Allow me to highly recommend this fine optical lens. At first I was thinking about the high tech plastic lens barrel but quickly forgot about it after I starting using the lens as my primary optics on my a100 camera body. It is sharp, clear and produces superb detail. At wide angle you must be careful with your filter choice, because even with the tulip style lens hood on slightly wrong vignetting will occur on the very corners of the image. So make sure you purchase a thin style protective filter for you lens.

If you purchase this lens you will not regret it! It is a level of quality above most other lenses! Comes with lens pouch and front & rear caps.

Sony Zeiss 16-80mm Zoom Lens

Dec 18, 2007

This is a fine zoom lens with superb optics. Construction is a bit less than desirable as it makes some strange noises and manual focus is not very smooth. Before I purchased this lens from Amazon, I read Cameralabs review (www.cameralabs.com) that indeed call attention to the very good optical quality and some construction problems. Based on that review I bought the lens and do not regret because the resulting photos are very good indeed.

Sony Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA Sample Photos

Sony Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA Accessories

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