Sony Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA lens vs Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 II DG HSM

Side-by-side comparison from our catalogue data. Better values are highlighted only where a clear difference exists.

Sony

Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA lens

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Sigma

12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 II DG HSM

Verdict at a glance

Sony Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA lens is faster by 0.7 stops (f/3.5 vs f/4.5), letting in more light.
Sony Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA lens is lighter by 230g.
Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 II DG HSM goes wider (12mm vs 16mm).
Sony Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA lens reaches further (80mm vs 24mm).
Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 II DG HSM is the newer design (2011 vs 2007).

Specification comparison
Spec	Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA lens	12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 II DG HSM
Brand	Sony	Sigma
Mount	Sony A	Sony A
Type	Zoom	Wide Zoom
Focal length	16-80mm	12-24mm (wider)
Max aperture	f/3.5 (faster)	f/4.5
Released	2007	2011
Blades	7	6
Format	aps-c	full-frame
Groups	10	13
Af motor	screw-drive	in lens (hsm)
Elements	14	17
Weight g	440 (lighter)	670
Filter mm	62	n/a
Length mm	83.0	n/a
Min focus m	0.35	0.28 (closer focusing)
Max magnification	0.25	0.156

Sony Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA lens

The Zeiss 16-80mm standard zoom for APS-C A-mount cameras, with screw-drive autofocus. It weighs about 440 g and takes 62mm filters.

Pros

Zeiss optics
Useful 16-80mm range
Close focus of 0.35 m
Modest weight at about 440 g

Cons

Screw-drive AF is slow
f/3.5-4.5 is not fast
Not weather sealed

Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 II DG HSM

The Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 II DG HSM is a full-frame wide-angle zoom lens covering 12-24mm at f/4.5-5.6 for Sony A mount cameras, with Hyper Sonic Motor autofocus. It covers wide angles for landscapes, interiors and architecture.

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