This is just a quick impression/review of the Sony SEL1670Z. I have had the lens now for about three weeks, and have shot a number of “real world” test type images. This is in no way a professional review, or really even very rigorous testing; I am not a professional reviewer, more of an enthusiast nitpicker.
Some people may want to see test charts and studio set ups in order to ascertain the true quality of this lens; you will need to look elsewhere for that. Unfortunately I also do not own any of the NEX kit lenses any longer, for direct comparison sake, although I have owned both the 1855 and the 1650PZ, and have many images from those lenses which I use to draw some conclusions.
Pros:
The 1670Z lens provides generally great IQ. The lens has very good IQ wide open, and improves when stopped down even just a bit. It is much sharper than NEX kit lenses at all focal lengths in center out to near the edges. It can be nearly as sharp as any images I have gotten from the Sony E primes that I have owned (20, 35 & 50.)
The out of focus area - some maybe call this “bokeh” - is excellent. Very smooth, good contrast, contributes significantly to the high IQ of this lens.
The zoom range is very versatile as a walk around lens. Colors and contrast are outstanding. Distortion and vignetting are well controlled. Notably this is through the optical design vs. software correction. Not sure that this means anything much in the real world, but being as there is no Lightroom lens profile currently, it helps a lot in reducing the amount of PP needed.
The lens is very resistant to flaring, much better in that regard than any E mount lenses I have used.
Finally, the lens is of very high quality build. I have no concerns that this lens is going to fall apart anytime soon.
Cons:
This lens is pricey. Especially considering there are two decent zooms already offered in a similar range. I personally think it is probably slightly overpriced; of course I felt the same way about the SEL1018, which has been my favorite E mount lens. Value is subjective, however, and I am comfortable that the 1670Z is worth the price, compared to the alternatives IMO.
The lens is bit soft in corners wide open, especially at the wide end. Though IMO it is noticeably better than the kit lenses.
Misc:
The max aperture is f/4.0, albeit constant throughout the zoom range; this doesn't really matter to me for the kind of shooting I do - f/4.0 is sufficient.
The lens is a bit large, only probably really an issue because I was spoiled by the small size of the 1650PZ. The 1670Z is actually fine with the NEX-6 - it balances similar to the Fuji X-E1 with its kit lens, to me - but the 1670Z might feel a bit unbalanced on the smaller bodies.
There is currently no Lightroom lens profile. Not that there is a huge need for it as there is not much distortion or vignetting, but still... I am sure one will be coming.
I have seen some photos on the internet from this lens with significant CA issues. I have not seen this as a major issue in any of my photos, but I can’t say I have used the lens under the full range of conditions that might cause this to appear. CA is handled easily enough in PP, though so I am not overly concerned with this.
Conclusion:
For me, this lens is the holy grail of walk around zooms for the NEX system. Near-prime IQ, versatile zoom range, not too big, quality construction. I was fully expecting to be disappointed by this lens, especially for the price. I doubt this lens will come off my camera very often, and then only for when I want to pop the 1018 on for some wide angle landscapes.
http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/9224613745/albums/sony-1670z
Some people may want to see test charts and studio set ups in order to ascertain the true quality of this lens; you will need to look elsewhere for that. Unfortunately I also do not own any of the NEX kit lenses any longer, for direct comparison sake, although I have owned both the 1855 and the 1650PZ, and have many images from those lenses which I use to draw some conclusions.
Pros:
The 1670Z lens provides generally great IQ. The lens has very good IQ wide open, and improves when stopped down even just a bit. It is much sharper than NEX kit lenses at all focal lengths in center out to near the edges. It can be nearly as sharp as any images I have gotten from the Sony E primes that I have owned (20, 35 & 50.)
The out of focus area - some maybe call this “bokeh” - is excellent. Very smooth, good contrast, contributes significantly to the high IQ of this lens.
The zoom range is very versatile as a walk around lens. Colors and contrast are outstanding. Distortion and vignetting are well controlled. Notably this is through the optical design vs. software correction. Not sure that this means anything much in the real world, but being as there is no Lightroom lens profile currently, it helps a lot in reducing the amount of PP needed.
The lens is very resistant to flaring, much better in that regard than any E mount lenses I have used.
Finally, the lens is of very high quality build. I have no concerns that this lens is going to fall apart anytime soon.
Cons:
This lens is pricey. Especially considering there are two decent zooms already offered in a similar range. I personally think it is probably slightly overpriced; of course I felt the same way about the SEL1018, which has been my favorite E mount lens. Value is subjective, however, and I am comfortable that the 1670Z is worth the price, compared to the alternatives IMO.
The lens is bit soft in corners wide open, especially at the wide end. Though IMO it is noticeably better than the kit lenses.
Misc:
The max aperture is f/4.0, albeit constant throughout the zoom range; this doesn't really matter to me for the kind of shooting I do - f/4.0 is sufficient.
The lens is a bit large, only probably really an issue because I was spoiled by the small size of the 1650PZ. The 1670Z is actually fine with the NEX-6 - it balances similar to the Fuji X-E1 with its kit lens, to me - but the 1670Z might feel a bit unbalanced on the smaller bodies.
There is currently no Lightroom lens profile. Not that there is a huge need for it as there is not much distortion or vignetting, but still... I am sure one will be coming.
I have seen some photos on the internet from this lens with significant CA issues. I have not seen this as a major issue in any of my photos, but I can’t say I have used the lens under the full range of conditions that might cause this to appear. CA is handled easily enough in PP, though so I am not overly concerned with this.
Conclusion:
For me, this lens is the holy grail of walk around zooms for the NEX system. Near-prime IQ, versatile zoom range, not too big, quality construction. I was fully expecting to be disappointed by this lens, especially for the price. I doubt this lens will come off my camera very often, and then only for when I want to pop the 1018 on for some wide angle landscapes.
http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/9224613745/albums/sony-1670z
