23/03/2026 4:13 am
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APS-C E-mount Lens
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leaving for a trip to Tokyo next Thursday and I still havent picked a lens for my new a6700 so I'm kinda panicking. I need one lens that can do everything because I dont want to be swapping glass while walking around in the heat. Im torn between the Sony 16-55mm f2.8 and the Tamron 17-70mm. The Sony is smaller and fits my bag better but man it is expensive and has no stabilization. The Tamron has VC and extra reach but it looks huge and heavy for a travel setup. Budget is around $1200 max. Is the extra 15mm on the Tamron worth the bulk or should I just go for the Sony?
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23/03/2026 4:37 am
I totally agree with what was just said about the weight factor, especially in the Tokyo humidity. In my experience, carrying a heavy rig around Shibuya or Shinjuku for 10 miles a day will definitely make you regret a big lens. Over the years, I have found that size matters way more than that extra 15mm of reach when youre actually out in the field. Ive tested both of those extensively and honestly the Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G is the optically superior lens. It uses XD linear motors so the autofocus is basically instant on your a6700. Since the a6700 has built-in stabilization (IBIS), the lack of OSS in the lens isnt the dealbreaker it used to be for the newer bodies. Here is the technical breakdown:
- Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G: Best corner-to-corner sharpness and color rendition. Minimal chromatic aberration. No stabilization, but your body handles that perfectly. It feels balanced.
- Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD: Extra reach is nice for tighter street shots, but it feels very front-heavy on a rangefinder-style body. The VC is okay but honestly redundant with your sensor. It also has a bit more barrel distortion at 17mm.
- Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary: This is the wildcard. Its tiny. Like, fits-in-a-jacket-pocket tiny. You lose a bit on the wide end, but for travel, this is a killer option. If you have the budget, get the Sony. The build quality and weather sealing are worth the premium for a trip like this. Let me know if you need more info on how the IBIS handles the handheld video on these...
