Sony Sony SEL 16-50MM SLVR Bulk (Renewed) Review
For $139, this renewed Sony 16-50mm lens is the ultimate compact travel zoom, but don't expect it to take award-winning photos.
Overview
Look, this is the lens you buy when you want to travel light and not think about it. It's the kit lens that should have come with your Sony APS-C camera, and getting it renewed for $139 is a no-brainer. The one thing to know? It's tiny, it's stabilized, and it covers a useful zoom range, but it's not a lens for creating beautiful, blurry backgrounds or shooting in dim light. It's a tool for convenience.
Performance
The power zoom is surprisingly slick for video work, making it dead quiet and smooth, which is a huge plus. But the optical performance is exactly what you'd expect from a basic zoom: fine in the center, soft in the corners, and it really struggles in low light. The built-in stabilization is a lifesaver, though, and lets you shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds than you'd think possible with such a small lens.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Unbelievably compact and light. It practically disappears on your camera. 95th
- Power zoom is fantastic for smooth, silent video pulls. 91th
- Image stabilization works great and is a must-have for this lens. 89th
- A perfect, cheap travel companion that covers a useful wide-to-normal range. 89th
Cons
- Optical quality is mediocre, especially in the corners. 27th
- Slow, variable aperture means poor performance in low light. 29th
- Autofocus is just okay—it's not fast or confident for moving subjects. 34th
- Plastic build feels cheap, and it's not weather-sealed at all.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Wide-Angle |
| Focal Length Min | 16 |
| Focal Length Max | 50 |
Build
| Mount | Sony E |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.4 lbs |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 30 |
Value & Pricing
For $139, it's absolutely worth it. You're getting a stabilized, versatile zoom in a package you can't beat for size and weight. Just don't expect it to take stunning photos. It's a utility player, not a star.
vs Competition
Don't compare this to primes like the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7. That lens is three times brighter and will give you infinitely better image quality and background blur, but you lose the zoom and stabilization. Compared to other kit zooms, this one wins on size and the power zoom feature. If you need one lens to throw on your camera and just go, this is it. If you care about image quality, save up for a prime.
Verdict
Buy this renewed kit lens. It's the ultimate lightweight travel zoom for Sony APS-C cameras. Just know its limits: it's for good light, casual shooting, and video. If you want to grow as a photographer, you'll outgrow it quickly, but as a starting point or a backup lens, it's perfect.