Here're some sample images taken with the Alpha 700 and RAW converted via Adobe Lightroom.
Click on a thumbnail to view the original file (opens in a separate window). Please note that the originals are FULL SIZE samples
(=several megabytes) thus requiring a significant amount of bandwidth so please take care of the limited resources here.
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
105.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/5.6 @ 1/50s
Size
2848x4272
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
17.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/8.0 @ 1/40s
Size
4272x2848
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
80.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/5.6 @ 1/125s
Size
2848x4272
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
16.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/9.0 @ 1/80s
Size
2848x4272
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
75.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/5.6 @ 1/80s
Size
4272x2848
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
400
Focal Length
50.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/8.0 @ 1/80s
Size
4272x2848
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
400
Focal Length
35.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/8.0 @ 1/320s
Size
4272x2848
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
400
Focal Length
16.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/8.0 @ 1/100s
Size
4272x2848
Verdict
Unsurprisingly the Sony 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6 DT is a lens of compromises - the lens offers a highly attractive 6.5x zoom ratio but this sets natural limits performance-wise. At max. aperture the border quality leaves something to be desired may it be resolution, vignetting or lateral CAs. You really need to stop down to f/8 to resolve the border softness which is a little "late" compared to other lenses. Heavy barrel distortion at 16mm is another problem. The build quality is decent but the lens doesn't really offer much if anything beyond the mainstream in this class. Regarding the rather small price difference to the Zeiss ZA 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 DT it makes sense to avoid this lens and go straight for the real thing instead (although the Zeiss lens has its share of problems as well).
