The following chart presents a comparison between basic parameters of the Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8G and other lenses of this class designed to full frame mirrorless cameras. Still only the Viltrox, mentioned in our introduction, might be considered to be direct rival of the new Sny because the Canon is far slower and the Laowa's parameters are a bit different and it is a manual model.
In the photo below the Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G is positioned between the Sony FE 50 mm f/1.4 GM and the reflex camera Sigma A 35 mm f/1.4 DG HSM. It's pretty clear that the 16 mm Sony lens is a very small instrument, compared to these two.
The tested lens starts with a metal mount that surrounds a black frame made of plastics with embedded contacts. A rear element is 23 mm in diameter but its size is limited by the 27×22 mm frame. The element is situated right under the frame, set very shallowly inside the mount and it doesn't move.
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The proper body of the lens starts with a black ring made of plastics which diameter increases as you move further from the mount. On that ring you can find a white dot, making the alignment with a camera easier, the mount type (E-mount), the symbol of the lens, its serial number, and its place of production, Thailand in this case.
On the enlarged part of the said ring you find a silvery inscription 'FE 1.8/16 G'; on its right part you see a Sony logo and the CLICK ON/OFF switch that controls the aperture ring. On the left you see the G series mark, a lens lock button, the AF/MF switch that controls the focusing mechanism mode, and the IRIS LOCK that blocks the aperture ring.
An aperture ring is another part of the lens that moves every 1/3 EV step, is as wide as 10 mm and covered by fine ribbing. Its performance is beyond reproach and you can make it clickless, a piece of good news for fans of shooting videos.
A manual focus ring, as wide as 17 mm, is the next part. It is covered by rubber ribs that feel nice to the touch. The ring is a focus-by-wire construction and its focus throw amounts to about 150 degrees, depending on how fast you turn it. We find that value more than enough to ensure very comfortable settings.
Behind the ring you also see an immobile, metal part of the barrel with a red marking that helps to align a hood properly and then a hood mount.
The front element doesn't move, it is convex and 40 mm in diameter. It is surrounded by a part of the barrel with inscriptions stating the name of the lens, its minimum focusing distance (0.15m/05ft), and a non-rotating filter thread, 67 mm in diameter. It is a very moderate value, taking into account the angle of view and the aperture fastness, offered by this model.
When it comes to optical construction you deal here with 15 elements put in 12 groups and the producers weren't skimpy when it comes to elements made of special glass. There are three low dispersion ED glass elements [4], one element made of Super ED glass [3], one aspherical [2] and two advanced aspherical elements [1]. Inside you can also find a round aperture with as many as 11 diaphragm blades; it can be closed down to a value of f/22 at the maximum.
Buyers get in the box with the lens both caps and a petal-type hood. Unfortunately cutting costs means that there is no stylish hard case added to the accessory kit, something that was added to the 1.8/14G and the 1.8/20G models. A pity.
