A Traveler's Review: The Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 Lens

What to look for in an all-around travel lens?

When it comes to travel, it is important to have a lens that is versatile, easy to operate, and works in any condition. Travel photography, especially for those who like to do run & gun or documentary style, relies on the spontaneity of travel, and they need their gear to just work.

There won't be enough time to switch lenses when you want to capture a spontaneous moment, which happens all the time when you travel. Therefore, a zoom lens that covers a good range is essential. You are also not strictly photographing one type of subject, but many, from architecture to portrait. So, you will need a lens with a focal length that enables you to do both.

You will also have to rely heavily on autofocus since your subject won't stay in the same position forever, so a native lens with a fast and reliable autofocus mechanism is a must.

A lens that is light and compact enough to carry around when you travel, with the fewest compromises physically possible, is something we should look for. You will be carrying the lens with your camera most of the time, so the weight has to be acceptable.

Last but not least, when it comes to travel photography, you won't be able to control your lighting situation, so a lens with a fast aperture will help you shoot in poor light conditions without having to sacrifice the sharpness and quality of your image.

Want to know what I carry in my camera bag?What's In My Camera Bag in 2025?

Why the Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 Lens Is the Perfect Travel Lens?

Excellent Range For Travel

As mentioned above, when you are traveling, you will be taking photos of a variety of things, from architecture to landscapes to people. With the Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 lens (24 - 82mm equivalent on a full-frame camera), at a focal length of 16mm, you have a wide enough range to capture large architecture, such as the Colosseum in Rome, or this gigantic Buddha image I shot at Wat Tham Sua in Kanchanaburi, shown above.

You are also not stuck with one focal length, as you can zoom all the way to 55mm if you want to capture certain details of a building or a landscape. At 55mm, with its fast F2.8 aperture, the lens will also allow you to capture some really stunning portraits with creamy bokeh, something you can't do with lenses that are at F4 like my previous Sony 16-70mm F4 lens.

With the 16-55mm range, most of the focal lengths you will need for your travel are all covered with this lens. If you are a light traveler who does not like carrying many lenses with you, the Sony 16-55mm F2.8 lens is the one to get.

Produce Great Image Quality At All Ranges

A huge problem that comes with using a zoom lens is that the quality and sharpness can vary a lot depending on the focal length you are using. That was definitely the case with my old Sony 16-70mm F4, where at 70mm, the image quality falls apart completely, softening the detail, especially around the edges.

With the Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 lens, that is no longer the case. The Sony 16-70mm was released in 2013, whereas the Sony 16-55mm F2.8 was released in 2019. During this time, Sony has constantly optimized its lens manufacturing process and improved its glass quality so much that the sacrifice you often get from using a zoom lens is no longer visible with the Sony 16-55mm F2.8 lens.

The image produced by this lens is phenomenal, with the detail tack sharp from edge to edge in almost all focal lengths and apertures. The images produced with this lens are so consistently great throughout the range that you won't be able to see the difference unless you pixel peep.

With the F2.8 aperture, your image will also produce less noise in poor lighting conditions as you do not have to ramp up the ISO to compensate for the lack of light. The wide aperture will accommodate that for you, and you will find that your night photo is much more usable than if you shot it with an F4 lens like the Sony 16-70mm.

No matter what you throw at it, the Sony 16-55mm F2.8 lens can handle it. The lens is definitely a pro-grade level lens with the reliability and quality that professionals can rely on. If you are looking for a high-quality, versatile lens, this is the best one you can get for your Sony APS-C cameras.

Fast Constant Aperture at F2.8

With a fast constant aperture of F2.8, the lens is much better at handling low-light photography and videography than my previous lens, the Sony 16-70mm F4. At F2.8, you can keep your ISO low enough at night to produce sharp images with very little noise. This, in turn, allows you to go as far as doing astrophotography with this lens.

Also, with the F2.8 aperture, especially at a 55mm focal length, the lens will allow you to produce stunning portraits as well, with outstanding subject separation and creamy bokeh that comes with the wide aperture.

The Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 lens is truly the one lens to rule them all. It is great for landscapes, architecture, and portraits. It's great in poor light conditions and can produce stunning bokeh. That's more than one can ask for in a lens.

Not a fan of these general all-around lenses? Just want a portrait lens? Check this out:The Best Street/Portrait Travel Lens: A Traveler's Review of the Sigma 56mm F1.4

Fast Accurate Autofocus

As mentioned before, travel photography, with the spontaneity that comes with traveling, requires the lens you carry to have good autofocus, and the Sony 16-55mm F2.8 delivers.

The Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 lens comes with an advanced motorized mechanism that maximizes the focus performance of the lens. It uses the same technology as their high-quality, super-expensive full-frame G Master lens lineup. This allows the lens to focus on subjects swiftly and quietly in most lighting conditions.

With such a reliable autofocus mechanism, the lens will allow you to focus on capturing those spontaneous and candid travel moments that are not easy to come by, instead of worrying whether the subject is in focus or not. Pairing this lens with the new autofocus system of the Sony a6600, and you are all set for anything the world throws at you.

Great Build Quality

As travelers, we are often out in the elements most of the time and we need gear that can withstand such conditions as well as ourselves, so that all we have to worry about is capturing the right photo instead of having to worry about our gear.

The Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 lens is definitely up to the challenge. The lens is weather-sealed, and the front element is coated with fluorine, which helps repel moisture and grease, making it easier for you to clean.

The build is solid and sturdy, allowing for good, firm handling. The focus and zoom rings are rubberized, smooth, and easy to control. With its polycarbonate body, it is harder to scratch than my old Sony 16-70mm F4 lens, which was all scratched up after 3 years of usage.

All in all, the build quality is great and matches very well with the polycarbonate body of the Sony a6500 and a6600.

What I Personally love About the Sony E 16-55mm Lens As A Traveler

Great For Travel Landscape and Portraits

One of the things I love most about this lens is how versatile it is. At 16mm, I can shoot all kinds of architecture as well as capture the vast landscape that I often find myself in while hiking.

When I travel, I also like to explore the local culture by observing the people in places like squares or markets. Occasionally, I might have the opportunity to take a portrait photo of the locals. With this lens, I was able to do so easily without having to change to my portrait lens.

At 55mm, F2.8, I can easily blur out the distracting background and focus on the person, allowing me to capture all the expressions on their faces and really emphasize the person and the life they are living.

With such a fast aperture and versatile range at 16 - 55mm or 24mm - 82mm full-frame equivalent, the Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 lens is a much better fit for travel than my old Sony 16-70mm F4, which I find to be quite inconsistent in terms of quality, and the Sony 18-105mm F4, both of which are not great in low-light due to the slow aperture at F4.

Plus, 18mm is not wide enough for landscape or architecture photography. That 2mm difference is more prominent than you think, especially at the wide end of the focal length. With the Sony 16-55mm F2.8, you will be getting everything you need with very few compromises, which I can't say the same for the other zoom lenses.

No Need to Change Lenses While Traveling

The Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 lens is so versatile that I found myself having it mounted on my camera 90% of the time throughout my trip in Kanchanaburi. When I shoot with this lens, I rarely have to think about switching lenses since the Sony 16-55mm F2.8 lens more often than not covers all the focal lengths and apertures I need for travel photography. This allows me to focus more on capturing the moment than worrying about my gear.

Without having to change lenses, I am also not exposing my camera sensor to all the elements that I often subject it to. Trust me, when you are in the Himalayas, hiking at 5,000m with all kinds of debris flying around you, the last thing you want is to have your camera sensor wide open for the dust to get in.

Finally, without having to use so many lenses, you will also be able to shed some weight off your camera gear load. And if you are a light traveler like I am, this is a big plus. I used to carry at least 5 lenses, but with this one lens, I am down to 3. That means 2 less expensive camera gear items I have to worry about.

Produce Pro-Grade Results

I used to find that the Sony APS-C lenses lineup lacked professional-grade lenses to produce extremely high-quality images. Most of their old lineup often came with caveats and compromises that are not suitable for professional use.

With all the new pro-grade lenses they have released for the Full-frame lineup in the past years, I wonder if Sony has already given up on us, APS-C users.

Thankfully, with the release of this lens in 2019, Sony has finally utilized all the technologies they had on their full-frame lenses and produced an APS-C lens that is capable of producing high-quality images with very few compromises, and the Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 lens delivers.

I don't usually print out my photos, but I do like the option to do so when I want to. With the edge-to-edge sharpness that comes with this lens, I can now print out my architecture and landscape travel photos without the blurry and soft edges that came with my old Sony 16-70mm.

With the outstanding optic that comes with this lens, I am no longer limited to the compromises that often come with old lenses, and I can now focus more on capturing the moment and less on the focal length and aperture to shoot at for the sharpest result.

The Drawbacks of the Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 Lens

Extremely Expensive

The Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 lens is definitely a professional-grade lens, and it comes with a huge price tag of 1,400 USD retail price, which will turn away many photographers out there.

At 1,400 USD, the Sony 16-55mm F2.8 lens is as expensive as the latest Sony APS-C camera body, the Sony a6600, which is priced at 1398 USD. This is a price that even I, who look at it as an investment for my travel blog instead of a hobby, cannot stomach.

In order to get my hands on one, I had to rely on the secondhand market, and fortunately, I found one used for around 1,000 USD, which is still pretty expensive but a little more manageable, so I jumped on the opportunity.

The retail price often varies from 1200 USD to 1400 USD, so if you want to get it cheaper, I recommend you keep an eye out on your local secondhand market and snatch one cheap when someone does decide to sell it.

All in all, it is the best zoom lens you can get if you are using the Sony a6500 or a6600, but the price may be a little out of touch with reality here. To be honest, only those who are sticking with the APS-C format for the long haul, like me, will see it as a good purchase at this price point.

No Optical Image Stabilization

You may have noticed that I keep recommending this lens for Sony a6500 and a6600 users only. What about Sony a6400, a6300, a6100, and a6000 users? Well, this is the answer.

The Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 lens does not come with optical image stabilization, which isn't much of a problem for Sony a6500 and a6600 users as both models come with In-Body Stabilization (IBIS). However, unfortunately, for the rest, this might not be a good purchase for you.

The Sony a6400, a6300, a6100, and a6000 all lack IBIS, and that is a huge problem, especially for run & gun shooters and travelers who often shoot handheld. If you shoot videos on these camera bodies, a lens without image stabilization is a dealbreaker.

I kind of understand what Sony is aiming for here. I believe Sony built this lens for the future, where all their camera bodies will likely come with IBIS. In order to keep the size and dimensions light and compact, they had to omit the stabilization.

But that future is not here yet, and while the majority of their APS-C camera bodies still lack IBIS, I can only recommend this lens to a minority of Sony APS-C owners who are using the Sony a6600 or a6500.

Visible Barrel Distortion at 16mm Focal Length

This is a very minor problem that only affects those who shoot RAW, and even then, it can be easily fixed with a program like Lightroom. However, I feel like I have to mention it.

At 16mm, the Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 lens produces heavy barrel distortions with visible vignetting on the edges of the RAW images. At around 24mm, the vignetting becomes much more manageable. This is probably due to how they designed and manufactured the lens, and as mentioned earlier, it can be easily fixed with a post-processing program like Adobe Lightroom.

If you shoot JPEG, there's nothing to worry about as the in-body correction is applied automatically, so no barrel distortion will be visible in your image. Again, it's a very minor problem that had zero impact on your image quality, but it's good to point it out.

Sample Images from the Sony 16-55mm F2.8 Lens

Looking for camera accessories to help improve your travel photography game? Check out:14 BEST Sony Camera Accessories You Should Buy

Overall, This is the Only Travel Lens You Need For the Sony a6600 and a6500 Cameras

All in all, the Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 lens is the best native zoom lens money can buy for your Sony APS-C cameras. The benefit of the 16-55mm range with a fast fixed aperture of F2.8 is undoubtedly extremely beneficial for travelers like us who cannot control the environment in which we are shooting.

From landscape to architecture to portrait, the Sony 16-55mm F2.8 is the one lens to rule them all. The size is compact and light for what you get, and the build quality is top-notch.

Yes, the price is extremely expensive, but if you are committed to the Sony APS-C format and already using the Sony a6500 and a6600 cameras, and are looking to up your travel photography game, there is no better lens out there for you than the Sony 16-55mm F2.8 lens.

Check Price For Sony 16-55mm F2.8 Lens

Looking for the best Sony camera to buy for your travel? Check out:The Best Sony Travel Cameras to Buy

Want to take your photography game to the next level? Here are some resources to help you upgrade your work and photography gear:

Lightroom Presets: If you are looking for a quick way to make your travel photos look like mine, you should check out my newly released Lightroom Preset Collections.

Camera: Sony a7R V, the highest resolution full-frame camera out there, is my go-to camera when I travel. All of my recent photos and videos are all from this beast.

All-Around Travel Lens: Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens is the lens I mounted on my camera the most. The lens covers most of the ranges I need for travel from wide to telephoto. If I have to take only one lens with me on my travel, it would be this lens.

Ultra-Wide Lens: Sony 16-35mm F2.8 GM II Lnes: An ultra-wide lens I often use to shoot expansive landscapes and capture massive architecture I stumble upon while traveling.

Telephoto Lens: Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM II lens is one of the most versatile lenses to have. It is great for picking out details in landscapes and capturing wildlife when combined with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter.

Portrait Lens: Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Lens is the most compact and lightweight 85mm F1.4 lens out there. It's sharp and produces stunning bokeh for subject separation, perfect for portraits and street photography.

Drone: DJI Mavic Mini 2, a perfect drone for those who travel light. It weighs less than 250g and smaller than an iPhone when folded and can capture 4K video as well as 12 megapixels RAW photos. More than enough for its size.

Bag: Langly Alpha Globetrotter is a camera bag I use to carry all these lenses as well as other essentials when I'm traveling.

Further Reading for Resources

Looking for more articles to help you with your travel, whether it be camera gear or clothing? Here is a collection of articles you might like:

• Ever wondered what a full-time travel blogger like myself carries in my camera bag? Check out: What's In My Camera Bag in 2025?
• For the best hybrid travel camera to buy, the Sony a7R V with its 61-megapixel sensor and video capabilities is hard to beat. Check out my review here: A Traveler's Review: The Sony a7R V Camera
• If you are looking for a secondary camera to vlog or help you with time-consuming processes like timelapse, you might want to check this out: A Traveler's Review: DJI Osmo Pocket 3.
• Looking for the very best travel full-frame camera to buy for your next trip? How about the Sony a7C, the smallest full-frame camera with EVF in the world! Check out my review: A Traveler's Review: The Sony a7C Camera
• For APS-C camera owners out there, check out: What's In My Camera Bag? - A Gear Guide to Sony APS-C Cameras
• Looking to buy a new travel camera but not sure where to start? Check out our camera guide on 10 Best Travel Cameras to Buy.
• Bought a new camera and not sure what camera accessories to buy? Check out: 14 BEST Sony Camera Accessories You Should Buy.
• Looking for a good-looking and functional camera strap to buy? You are going to love the Langly Tactical, Premium Leather, and Paracord camera straps. Check out my review here: A Traveler's Review: Langly Camera Straps.
• Want to start a YouTube channel and looking to buy new cameras for travel vlogging? Check out: 8 Best Cameras For Travel Vlogging to Buy.
• Finding a great camera bag you can travel with is not as easy as it sounds. If you are looking for one, here are the 10 Best Camera Bags for Travel, Backpacking, and Hiking You Should Buy.
• Now, if you are looking for a camera sling/shoulder bag instead of a full-fledged camera backpack to travel with, here are the 11 Best Camera Sling/Shoulder Bags For Travel.
• Looking for the most versatile camera sling bag? Check out: A Traveler's Review: WANDRD Roam (Rogue) Sling.
• For a smaller setup, the Nomatic McKinnon Sling is a great camera bag to check out. Here is A Traveler's Review: Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling 8L.
• If you are looking for gifts to buy for your photographer loved ones, check out: 12 Cool Gifts To Buy For Travel Photographers
• Traveling light with camera gear is all about balancing between what you need and what you want. Here are the 8 Best Tips For Traveling Light With Camera Gear.
• After years of research, I finally found the most beautiful camera backpack of all! Check this out: A Traveler's Review: Langly Alpha Globetrotter Camera Backpack.
• If you are looking for a great camera accessory to help improve your travel photography skills, check out: 14 BEST Sony Camera Accessories You Should Buy.
• Are you looking for the best travel camera for your next trip? Why not consider the Sony a6500? Here's why the Sony a6500 is the best travel camera.
• This is the one lens I never knew I needed, but now that I have it, I can’t travel without it! A Traveler's Review: The Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 Lens.
• An ultra-wide lens is perfect for travel, and there is no better lens than the Sony 10-18mm F4 lens. Here is why: Traveler's Review: Sony 10-18mm F4 lens.
• Wondering which Sony Mirrorless camera is right for you? The Best Sony Travel Cameras to Buy in 2025.
• Just bought a new Sony mirrorless camera? Check out: 15 Tips & Tricks For Your New Sony a7C, a7III, and More.
• Wondering which lenses to buy for your Sony cameras? Check out The Best Travel Lenses For Sony a7III, a7C, a7RIV, and More.
• Looking for a compact and lightweight travel telephoto lens for wildlife and landscapes? You are going to love this lens. Here is A Traveler's Review of the Tamron 70-300mm F4.5-6.3 lens.
• If you are looking for a review of the first Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM lens and want to see if it is worth buying now, check out: A Traveler's Review of the Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM Lens.
• The king of travel lenses has arrived. The Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens is hands down the best travel all-purpose zoom lens I have ever owned. Here's why: A Traveler's Review: Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM II Lens.
• Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM II OSS lens is, hands down, the best telephoto lens to get for your Sony cameras, but with an extremely high price tag. Here is a complete traveler's review of the lens: A Traveler's Review: Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM II OSS Lens.
• Looking for a lightweight and affordable landscape/architecture travel lens that is also extremely capable? Here is A Traveler's Review of the Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Lens.
• Looking for the best travel portrait lens to buy for your next trip? You can't beat the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN lens. Here is A Traveler's Review of the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art Lens.
• Full-frame or APS-C Cameras? Here's my take on which camera format to pick for travel: 5 Reasons Why I'm Sticking With a Sony APS-C Camera
• Picking a camera body is one thing. Picking the lenses is a whole different game. Here is the ultimate guide to the best travel lenses for the Sony a6500.
• Looking for a great drone to travel with? Why is the DJI Mavic Mini the Best Drone for Travelers?
• The best travel drone just got even better. Here is A Traveler's Review of The DJI Mini 2 and why it is the best travel drone to buy.
• Already have a Mavic Mini or looking to buy one? Here are 25 Tips and Tricks for New DJI Mavic Mini Owners.
• For more travel drone options, be sure to check out the 8 Best Drones For Travel To Buy In 2025.
• Looking for the best travel wireless earbuds or headphones? Here are the 7 Best Travel Wireless Earbuds & Headphones to Buy.
• You can't travel without a backpack, and if you are looking for one, check out my guide on the best Herschel Supply backpacks for travelers.
• If you like hiking and going on adventures for weeks on end, you are going to need a bigger backpack. Here is Why the Osprey Atmos AG is the Best Hiking Backpack to Buy.
• Looking to go on a short trip and want a backpack that has enough capacity but is small enough to use as a carry-on? Here is Why You Should Check Out the Herschel Supply Buckingham Backpack - A Traveler’s Review.
• If you are into making travel videos, here is my ultimate advanced filmmaking gear guide.
• Planning to go on your first-ever hiking trip? Here is How to Pack for Hiking and Camping.
• Technical hiking gear doesn't have to be ugly. Here is a guide to hiking gear that actually looks good on you.
• If you are a light-weight traveler and are looking for powerful gear to go with your setup, check out the extremely light-weight photography gear guide.
• Looking for gift ideas for your traveler friends or family members? Here are 16 Best Gifts to Buy for Travelers/Backpackers.
• Or if you are into gadgets, here is a quick guide on 7 tech gadgets you should buy this year.
• Are you a Fujifilm camera user and currently looking for lenses to buy for your next travel? Check out The Best Travel Lenses For Your Fuji Cameras.
• If you are a blogger as well and looking for free travel images to spice up your content, check out the 9 Best Websites to Find Free Travel Images.
• Want to know the secrets on how to travel the world cheaply? Check out: 16 Best Tips on How to Travel the World Cheaply.
• Looking for an Airbnb alternative for a better and more authentic stay in a place you are visiting? Here are the 8 Best Airbnb Alternatives to Use.
• Looking to plan your first backpacking trip around the world? Check out: How To Plan A Backpacking Trip.
• For more resources like this, visit my Resources page.
• Want to learn how I was able to take so many good pictures of myself while I travel solo? Check out: How To Take Great Pictures of Yourself.