Conclusion

The new E 16-55mm f/2.8 G standard zoom lens is a rather long-overdue addition to the Sony APS-C E-mount mirrorless camera system which owners have been patiently waiting years for, but nevertheless a very welcome one.

It ticks almost all of the must-have boxes for a pro-level standard zoom lens, with the one main exception being the lack of built-in optical stabilisation.

This will be an issue for all A6000-series cameras except for the range-topping A6500 and A6600 models, which both have IBIS.

Image quality is excellent throughout the zoom range and across the image from centre to corner, even when shooting wide-open at the fast F2.8 maximum aperture, allowing you to keep the main subject pin-sharp and the background nicely blurred thanks to the 9-blade aperture.

The lens is also very usefully weather-sealed, another indication of its professional credentials, as is the customisable focus-hold button on the side of the lens barrel and the reassuringly solid build quality.

Auto-focusing proved to be very quick, unerringly reliable and almost completely silent, whilst manual focusing is also surprisingly intuitive thanks to the inclusion of Sony’s Linear Response MF feature.

Overall, the Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G is a great addition to Sony's APS-C lens line-up that will please professional stills and movie shooters alike, albeit at a professional-level price point of £1200 / $1400.

Ratings (out of 5)
Design	4.5
Features	4.5
Ease-of-use	4.5
Image quality	4.5
Value for money	4