After reviewing the Sony a6700, we decided to do an update to our Sony 16-55mm f2.8 lens review. We originally reviewed that lens back in 2019 and found it to be adequate enough. However, as time went on, our thoughts really changed. Sony has a history of treating APS-C cameras as something they truly don’t care much about. Their lenses are no exception.
Hear me out: yes, Tamron came out with a 17-70mm f2.8 lens in the interim. But why didn’t Sony do the same? And more importantly, why didn’t we have something like a 16-55mm f1.8 lens or an f2 lens instead? The company likes to pride themselves on being innovative, but they’ve majorly slowed down.
For the record, they’re still ahead of Leica, Panasonic, and Fujifilm in some ways. But when it comes to APS-C cameras, they’re behind Fujifilm and Canon both in some ways. And for lens support, Fujifilm really has everyone beat on all the options they offer photographers.
So why update this review? Well, we were quite fascinated by how the durability of one of their lenses held up over the years. We also think that despite this, it probably isn’t worth getting if you’re going to buy the Sony a6700. Instead, you’d be better off getting the Tamron lens options — especially as Sony is partially owned by Tamron. The lens algorithms are more or less totally shared between the two companies. With Tamron treating APS-C more seriously, it only makes more logical sense.
In some ways, I’m kind of surprised that Sony didn’t totally give up on APS-C cameras. The Sony a6700 feels like a camera that should’ve come out a while ago instead of just being a smaller version of the Sony a1 and A7r V. That’s something that should be carefully thought of considering the lifespan of technology these days.
Here’s the pertinent updated text from our Sony 16-55mm f2.8 lens review below. Click here to read the entire review. Want one? Grab it from Amazon.
Build Quality Update July 2023
In 2023, we tested the Sony 16-55mm f2.8 with the Sony a6700. The lens, which is around four years old at this point, continued to function well in the rain. Sony provided us with a statement, which they didn’t want to be attributed to anyone, more or less comparing the weather resistance to those of other brands. These statements typically make our eyes roll so hard that we get headaches for weeks.
However, it’s nice to know that Sony’s lenses are holding up overall. Specifically, we’re glad to know that the zoom lenses meant for the company’s APS-C lineup are holding up. Sony hasn’t treated APS-C cameras with the same diligence that they have the full-frame lineup of cameras. This, too, goes for the company’s lenses. And typically, we’d tell you to reach for Tamron lenses instead. But this lens does a solid job.
Ease of Use Update July 2023
In 2023, we’re still waiting for something extra special for APS-C cameras. Sony is the one brand that we truly would’ve thought might’ve delivered something like a 16-55mm f2 lens for APS-C cameras. However, that never came. Instead, the Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 came for APS-C cameras. And overall, I’d much rather reach for that lens instead because of the extra versatility that it offers to you.