Reddit reviews Sony SEL16F28 16mm f/2.8 Wide-Angle Lens for NEX Series Cameras

I got my NEX-5N (body only) a month or so ago (first camera, so I'm still a beginner), along with the Sony 30mm f/3.5 macro lens and the Sigma 30mm f/2.8 prime lens.

1. It's small, but gives superb IQ for it's size. It shoots comparable photos to entry DSLRs like the D3100 and T2i. Although irrelevant, people you meet/encounter will underestimate the pictures it can take because it doesn't look like a DSLR.
   
   
2. Lack of an optical viewfinder is a huge annoyance if you're shooting in sunlight. I've found myself wanting an optical viewfinder (built in) simply because the screen can sometimes look off, especially when it has smudges and stuff on it; but the screen does serve its purpose well. There's also that add on OLED EVF, looks nice but kind of expensive... If you plan on getting a 5N and the OLED EVF, might as well get the 7.
   
   
3. Lens ecosystem is sort of small, but not really. You can also use old manual lenses, etc. I also don't know why, but the Sony 50mm f/1.8 prime lens was in extremely limited availability for the past few months, which pissed me off. And if you look now, the Sigma 30mm is in low availability at Amazon... But Sony does have a 16mm wide angle, fisheye converter, extreme wide angle converter, 18-55mm, 50mm, 30mm macro, 18-200mm, 55-210mm, and a Zeiss 24mm.
   
   
4. Not too many buttons on the actual camera itself. It has a dial with a center click, and 2 buttons on the top and bottom of the dial. You can customize the buttons to do what you want, which I have set to the focus point, ISO, WB, focus option, metering mode, and creative style. I'm learning in manual mode, so it would be nice if there was more physical buttons on the camera so I could quickly change settings.
   
   
5. Autofocus feels slightly slow (for the 30mm macro it's a given) on the Sigma 30mm f/2.8. If I'm walking down the street and try to snap a photo real fast at maybe ISO 100, f/2.8, 1/1000+, I can, but it doesn't seem too fast.
   
   
6. The swivel LCD screen is a very nice feature.
   
   Like everyone says about these cameras, if you're looking for excellent IQ in a small package, the NEX 5N / 7 fulfills that request. If you're looking to invest into the NEX system, I'd go for the NEX-7. Also, don't even bother with the C3; the 5N is much better for ~$100.

I have the Sony 16mm, but it's not great glass. I borrowed and loved the Sony 10-18mm to shoot some waterfalls, however, it's pricey.

• Sony E mount 10-18mm https://amzn.com/B0096W1ONK
  
  
• Sony E mount 16mm https://amzn.com/B003NRHAH8

Sony A6000 + the 18-105 F4 for general photography, this should be a good start and will get her a quality lens that will get her plenty of reach. This should be right around $1100ish

down the road she can add these options:

add the 35 f1.8 for great portrait photos with better background separation. Alternatively you can start her with this lens first, being smaller and lighter means she will be more likely carry it around with her.

add the 16 2.8 for hiking thanks to the compact size and theme parks, or just anywhere she needs it in a more compact size.

more size comparisons

Yes- the 16mm f/2.8 looks really good flying on a gimbal with the A6500 (as seen [here] (https://youtu.be/l9Hf7VwEmTg?t=2m4s) and [here] (https://youtu.be/-jiSr6VKzco)) - but [at $248, will cost you a few dollars more than the Sigma] (https://www.amazon.com/Sony-SEL16F28-16mm-Wide-Angle-Cameras/dp/B003NRHAH8//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20).

If budget permits, the 16/2.8 is a very good value for your money.

Again, hope this is helpful!

To complement DatAperture's answer the other option in the mirrorless market is Sony. The tradeoff is probably a bit better quality (the same sensors as in APS-C DSLRs) versus larger size and less lens selection.

For your budget you could get a very nice body:

• A6000 648$ (24MP, latest model, supposedly very fast next-generation autofocus)
  
  Or a cheaper kit:
  
  
• NEX 3 with 16-50 lens $398 (16MP older model)
  
  and then complement it with some lenses:
  
  
• 16/2.8 $248
  
• 20/2.8 $348
  
• 35/1.8 $448
  
• 50/1.8 $298
  
  The Sigma ones are also available in Nex mount:
  
  
• 19/2.8 $199
  
• 30/2.8 $199
  
• 60/2.8 $239
  
  For my kind of shooting, on a backpacking trip of Europe I'd go for A6000+19/2.8+50/1.8. Fits in your budget. Is light and small. Gets you a wide angle for scenery and a 50 for everything else, including low light. If you prefer zooms you can get the A6000 with the 16-50 kit lens plus a 55-210.
  
  

Since you want autofocus the Rokinon lenses are out. Maybe the Sony SEL16F28 16mm f/2.8 with the Sony ULTRA Wide Conversion Lens? Or the Sigma 19mm?

Could you tell me if these lenses fit my needs? I have the sony a600 with the kit 16-50mm. I really want to concentrate on portraits and landscapes. I was thinking of the Sony 50mm f/1.8 Mid-Range Lens and the Sony SEL16F28 16mm f/2.8 Wide-Angle Lens .

Also, what do you think of the amazon Warrantech warranties for lenses?