Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80 mm f/3.5-4.5 § 03 Head to head
Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80 mm f/3.5-4.5 vs Sony DT 16-105 mm f/3.5-5.6
Sony 16–80mm f/3.5-4.5 has a brighter maximum aperture. Sony 16–105mm f/3.5-5.6 has a longer reach.
Both lenses are made for the Sony A mount: the Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80 mm f/3.5-4.5 is a 16–80mm f/3.5-4.5 zoom, and the Sony DT 16-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 is a 16–105mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom. On paper the Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80 mm f/3.5-4.5 comes out ahead, 3 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80 mm f/3.5-4.5 
Sony DT 16-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 01
Key differences
Why is the Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80 mm f/3.5-4.5 better than the Sony DT 16-105 mm f/3.5-5.6?
- Brighter maximum aperture (f/3.5-4.5 vs f/3.5-5.6)
- 25 g lighter (445 g vs 470 g)
- Focuses 5 cm closer (0.35 m vs 0.4 m)
Why is the Sony DT 16-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 better than the Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80 mm f/3.5-4.5?
- Longer reach (105mm vs 80mm)
- Newer design (2007 vs 2006)
02
Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80 mm f/3.5-4.5 has the edge: it is 25 g lighter to carry.
- architecture For architecture, the Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80 mm f/3.5-4.5 has the edge: it is 25 g lighter to carry.
03
Specification
| Specification | Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80 mm f/3.5-4.5 | Sony DT 16-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 16–80mm | 16–105mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.5-4.5 ◆ | f/3.5-5.6 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22-29 | f/22-36 |
| Lens type | Zoom lens | Zoom lens |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weight | 445 g (15.70 oz) ◆ | 470 g (16.58 oz) |
| Dimensions | 72 x 83 mm | 72 x 83 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.35 m (13.78 inches) ◆ | 0.4 m (15.75 inches) |
| Aperture blades | 7 | 7 |
| Optical construction | 14 elements in 10 groups | 15 elements in 11 groups |
| Filter size | 62 mm | 62 mm |
| Lens mount | Sony A | Sony A |
| Released | 2006 | 2007 |
04
Size
- A · Sony
- B · Sony
- 83 × 72 mm
- 83 × 72 mm
The Sony DT 16-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 is 25 g heavier than the Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80 mm f/3.5-4.5.
05
Sample frames
Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80 mm f/3.5-4.5
Sony DT 16-105 mm f/3.5-5.6
06
Video reviews
07
Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80 mm f/3.5-4.5 or the Sony DT 16-105 mm f/3.5-5.6?
- The Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80 mm f/3.5-4.5 opens to f/3.5-4.5, against f/3.5-5.6 on the Sony DT 16-105 mm f/3.5-5.6.
- Which is lighter, the Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80 mm f/3.5-4.5 or the Sony DT 16-105 mm f/3.5-5.6?
- The Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80 mm f/3.5-4.5 weighs 445 g, 25 g less than the Sony DT 16-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 (470 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80 mm f/3.5-4.5 or the Sony DT 16-105 mm f/3.5-5.6?
- The Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80 mm f/3.5-4.5 focuses down to 0.35 m, against 0.4 m for the Sony DT 16-105 mm f/3.5-5.6.
- Is the Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80 mm f/3.5-4.5 or the Sony DT 16-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80 mm f/3.5-4.5 has the edge: it is 25 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80 mm f/3.5-4.5 or the Sony DT 16-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80 mm f/3.5-4.5 has the edge: it is 25 g lighter to carry.