Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA DT ( SAL-1680Z ) - Review / Test Report - Sample Images & Verdict
Lens Reviews - Sony Alpha/NEX (APS-C)

Sample Images

Finally some sample images taken with the Alpha 100 and RAW converted via LR 4.3. I'm aware that some may prefer Alpha 700 samples but regarding the current workload you may forgive me that I'm using a few samples from my vacation to Kamchatka here.

Click on a thumbnail to view the original file (opens in a separate window). Please note that the originals are FULL SIZE (=several megabytes) which requires quite some bandwidth for downloading so please don't waste the limited resources here.

Make SONY
Model DSLR-A100
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 18.0mm
Exposure Data: f/9.0 @ 1/200s
Size 3872x2592
Make SONY
Model DSLR-A100
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 40.0mm
Exposure Data: f/9.0 @ 1/250s
Size 2592x3872
Make SONY
Model DSLR-A100
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 80.0mm
Exposure Data: f/9.0 @ 1/640s
Size 2592x3872
Make SONY
Model DSLR-A100
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 45.0mm
Exposure Data: f/7.1 @ 1/80s
Size 3872x2592
Make SONY
Model DSLR-A100
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 30.0mm
Exposure Data: f/9.0 @ 1/320s
Size 2592x3872
Make SONY
Model DSLR-A100
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 80.0mm
Exposure Data: f/8.0 @ 1/160s
Size 2592x3872

Verdict

Assuming a good sample the Zeiss 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA DT is surely a desirable lens. The primary design objective was obviously to maximize resolution because this is where the lens shines with generally stunning MTF figures matching or beating many standard zooms out there. However, there're also downsides. At 16mm vignetting is a problem at f/3.5 and the level of CAs and barrel distortions is very high. At around 700€/US$ the lens resides somewhere between the typical consumer and pro grade zooms. Some may have hoped for a metal construction but truth is that most other standard zooms in this price league have also plastic bodies. The mechanical quality is decent with tight tolerances but nothing to rave about. In Sony Alpha mount the lens remains an obvious choice for enthusiasts and beyond.

Optical Quality:    
Mechanical Quality:
Price/Performance:
      
   What does this mean ?


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