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Last Updated on 02/27/2025 by Lara Carretero

In recent years, some of the most fun and fulfilling images I’ve captured have come from super wide-angle lenses. The Sony 16mm F1.8 G is another entry into the G series of super wide prime lenses, sitting between the 20mm F1.8 G and the 14mm F1.4 GM. The 16mm F1.8 G offers photographers a new perspective on making images, and I had the opportunity to take this lens on the road and even pair it with an infrared camera – here’s what I learned.

Table of Contents

The Big Picture: Sony 16mm F1.8 G Review Conclusions

The Sony 16mm f1.8 G has a 67mm filter thread

If you’re looking for a super wide-angle prime lens for your Sony E-mount cameras, it’s hard not to choose the Sony 16mm F1.8 G. This tiny but mighty lens strikes a very delicate balance between a wide-angle field of view, fast aperture, and price. While there are some compromises, most notably the full weather-sealing and some flaring, this is a lens that can make anyone fall in love with going wide, especially at a reasonable price.

We give the Sony 16mm F1.8 G four out of five stars. Want one? Check it out on Amazon.

Pros

Super lightweight construction and design
Uses standard 67mm threaded filters
Some dust and moisture-resistance
Fast autofocus – even on older cameras

Cons

Build feels a little too plastic-y
Flaring and barrel distortion might be a deal-breaker for some
This is a moisture-resistant lens and, unfortunately, NOT as weather-resistant like their G Master lenses

Gear Used

Sony a7 (IR-converted) with a Kolari IRChrome and Zomei IR760 67mm Filter: our own unit.
Sony a7R III: our own unit.
Sony 16mm f1.8 G: Provided to us for loan by Sony

Who Should Buy The Sony 16mm f1.8 G?

Sony says that this lens is made for astrophotographers and landscape and architectural photographers. I’m not saying that they’re wrong but I think that this description might scare off some photographers that don’t fit in those niches. No, this is a lens for anyone that loves creative photography – whether you’re into shooting street, landscapes, travel, or anything else in between, this lens will do the job just fine.

Hardware

As a prime lens, there usually isn’t much to the affair, but there are some highlights I have to point out. First off, the layout of function buttons is solidly thought out – on the bottom right, the Click On/Off switch is nestled just within reach of your shutter finger. This allows you to single-handedly make the desired change without having to pull the camera away from your eye. Speaking of that clicky aperture, the aperture ring has a satisfying amount of resistance when controlling the iris. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a fan of the tactile experience of photography and almost exclusively used the lens with the Click set to On. That said, in testing the lens, I did try it out in its de-clicked state and found that again, it had enough throw between F-stops where it didn’t feel like I wasn’t in control.

To the left side of the lens barrel sit three important controls: an Iris Lock switch, an AF/MF Switch, and the Focus Hold Button. The Focus Hold button was remapped to magnify focus while in Manual Focus mode, a habit I’ve long had and a workflow that works best for me.

Street scene with tall buildings and palm trees under a pinkish sky. People are walking along the sidewalk. — Image taken with Sony 16mm F1.8 G and IR-Converted Sony a7

One of the things that stands out about this lens is how tiny it feels. Don’t get me wrong, the Sony 16mm F1.8 G is a substantial piece of glass that offers a fast aperture and can handle quick focusing in low light, even with a relatively “ancient” camera body in the Sony a7 (the O.G.). What I loved most about handling this lens is how all the controls allow you to keep your eye on the viewfinder instead of fiddling around looking for specific controls.

The lens is constructed very well and even has some protection from the elements. That said, it’s a little plastic-y, and it can be a turn-off to some. During my review period, I did carry the lens around whenever I could – making its way on everything from impromptu dinners to a recent trip to the Tampa, FL area. In my travels, the lens got thorough use and had to endure multiple TSA checks (those guys can be rough and handsy), but through it all, it performed well and didn’t look any worse for wear. Thanks to its plastic build, the lens is light as a feather; I could walk through a busy street or crowded airport with

It needs to be said that this lens has dust and moisture-resistant coatings but is not classified as a weather-sealed lens. This is a bit of a disappointment, but it does not detract from how well it’s made otherwise.

Protect Your Camera Gear

For years, here at The Phoblographer we’ve done tests on cameras, lenses, bags, computers, lights, and more. And we know that your warranty doesn’t always cover damage, and accidents can happen on set.

This is why we’ve created a Photography Care Program in partnership with Full-Frame Insurance. Now, photographers across the United States looking for extra security can get various protections to cover their craft. The Photography Care Program provides peace of mind; now you’ll know you can bounce back from a photoshoot gone awry, on-site or inside. We’re making it super easy to get it done, too! Better yet, there is coverage outside of the US and Canada when the photographer is traveling for short periods of time for business.

Focusing

There’s a lot to say about using this lens, but when it comes to focusing, it is extremely difficult not to nail focus when using Sony’s autofocus. We tested this lens with both the newer Sony a7RIII and the original a7 and found that the lens quickly found its intended subject—even in low or challenging light.

Two women on a beach walkway, one looking away and the other using her phone, with palm trees in the background. — Image taken with Sony 16mm F1.8 G and IR-Converted Sony a7

One of my favorite images was created with the Sony a7 and the 16mm F1.8 G as the last bit of sunlight disappeared over the horizon. In the image above, I was able to sneak a shot of my wife and her friend. As the available daylight was all but gone, the lens was able to capture this fleeting moment.

On the much newer a7RII, things only got snappier. There were very few instances where I did not get the shot and that just speaks to how well the internal focusing motors on the 16mm F1.8 G work.

Ease of Use

Wide-angle lenses are generally really forgiving in terms of getting things right in the camera. The Sony 16mm F1.8 G is no different. This super wide-angle lens is as plug-and-play as it gets: screw it onto the mount, go out, and take some photos! That’s a great thing because one of the draws of this lens is how it encourages you to try new things – from rethinking compositions to getting up close to your subject to taking advantage of mind-bending perspectives you can only accomplish with a field of view this wide.

Sony 16mm f1.8 G Image Quality

Street view of a three-story corner building with NÜRISH on the storefront under a clear blue sky. — Image taken with Sony 16mm F1.8 G and Sony a7RIII

When you need to go wide, the Sony 16mm F1.8 G allows photographers to create pleasing and sharp images even in very low light. When walking around and shooting from awkward angles (i.e., where I couldn’t put my eye on the viewfinder), I found that I had more keepers than misses. This is great when using it for travel and street photography. While you do have to consider your compositions more carefully, this lens packs well and can be just as fun to use throughout the length of any trip.

If architecture or landscape are more your thing, then there is even more to love with the Sony 16mm F1.8 G. This ultra-wide lens delivers tack-sharp images nearly from corner to corner—especially from F4 and smaller.

Bright sunlit scene with silhouetted cars and palm trees along a road, vibrant sky and lens flare effect. — Image taken with Sony 16mm F1.8 G and IR-Converted Sony a7

That said, this isn’t a purely clinical affair. In my testing, we found that flaring could be an issue, especially when the sun is behind your subject. Barrel distortion is also present, but given that we’re shooting at 16mm, this is less of a concern as it can be quickly corrected in post.

Extra Image Samples

The Phoblographer has been huge on transparency with our audience since day one. Nothing from this review is sponsored. Further, many folks will post reviews and show lots of editing in the photos. The problem then becomes that anyone and everyone can do the same thing. They’re not showing what the lens can do. So, we have a section in our Extra Image Samples area to show edited and unedited photos. From this, you can decide for yourself.

Edited

Sunlit indoor plants on wooden shelves by a window, with orange leaves and small white flowers.

Red convertible driving on a sunny road lined with palm trees.

Pier 60 entrance framed by palm trees under a clear blue sky.

A No Skateboards sign on a street pole near palm trees, with a white SUV passing by.

Aerial view of a beach cityscape with palm trees and a clear blue sky, showcasing an infrared photographic effect.

Potted plant with orange leaves on a wooden shelf by a sunlit window.

Beachfront promenade with palm trees, people walking, and cars on a sunny day. Buildings line the street.

Cemetery with mausoleums and colorful autumn trees under a clear blue sky.

Tall brick apartment buildings with fire escapes, viewed from below, with a bare tree in the foreground.

Indoor potted plants by a window, including a leafy plant and a snake plant, with balcony railings visible outside.

Sunset over a sandy beach with a volleyball net and distant pier silhouetted against the sky.

Silver digital camera on a green cutting mat, with lenses and a monitor in the background.

Camera on a cutting mat with accessories and a monitor in the background.

Street corner with brownstone buildings, parked cars, and a tree. Street signs and crosswalk visible. Overcast sky.

Black dish with a swirl of green wasabi on a white tablecloth.

Camera with attached lens and strap placed on a pink cushioned chair.

Unedited

Street view of a city at sunset with a large mural of a serene face on a building and palm trees lining the street.

Red-tinted aerial view of a coastal city with buildings, beach, and palm trees viewed from a balcony.

Beach at sunset with palm trees, a lifeguard tower, and sandy shore under a deepening purple sky.

Upward view of tall palm trees with lights, beside colorful buildings against a purple sky.

A hotel room with a double bed, chairs, and a table, illuminated by red lighting.

Potted plants on a wooden shelf by a sunlit window, including an orange-leaf plant in a white pot.

Aerial view of a beach cityscape with palm trees, roads, and buildings, all in a red-tinted infrared effect.

Pathway lined with orange trees, under a vibrant blue sky in a park setting.

Sandy beach with palm trees and a building along the shoreline under clear blue sky.

Burger and fries on a white plate at a bar, with drinks and a candle in the background.

Sandy beach with palm trees, buildings, and a volleyball net under clear blue sky.

Street scene at night with a Verizon van, a red car, and a black SUV parked in front of a Chase bank.

Street view at night with a liquor store and H&R Block office in a lit building.

Three cameras with various dials are laid out on a green cutting mat from a top-down perspective.

Street view with a tall coral building labeled Hyatt Regency, palm trees, and a street sign for Coronado Drive.

Street view of Sunrise Resort with signs and palm trees under a clear sky.

Low-angle view of palm trees beside a modern building against a clear blue sky.

Aerial view of a sandy beach with a long pier, buildings, and palm trees along the shoreline at dusk.

Two people sitting on sand, wearing white sneakers and tan boots, with jeans visible from the knee down.

Person wearing jeans and white sneakers sitting on a ledge above sandy ground.

Plate of fried calamari on a white table, with a person reaching for it, surrounded by glasses and dishes.

Pink cocktail with an orchid garnish on a napkin, placed on a wooden bar counter.

Woman in a bathroom holding a black object near the sink, looking down with a thoughtful expression.

A neatly made bed with decorative black and white pillows, white bedding, and framed art above the headboard.

Sony 16mm f1.8 G Tech Specs

The following were provided to us by Sony:

Focal Length: 16mm
Maximum to Minimum Aperture: F1.8 – F22
Lens Mount: E-Mount
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.15m with AF / 0.13m with MF
Weight: 304g
Dust and moisture-resistant coatings (Not 100% dust- or moisture-resistant)

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At the time of publishing this review, Sony is not an advertiser with the Phoblographer.
Our reviews are constantly updated when new firmware comes out. So please expect updates from us in the future if Sony ever gets us a loaner unit.
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Sony 16mm F1.8 G Lens is a Super Wide-Angled Blast