Sigma 15mm F1.4 DC Contemporary vs Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS
The bottom line
These cover different focal lengths — the Sigma 15mm F1.4 DC Contemporary is 15mm, the Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS is 16-70mm — so they're not really substitutes. Pick by the field of view you actually need: the Sigma 15mm F1.4 DC Contemporary for wide-angle, the Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS for standard zoom.
Choose the Sigma 15mm F1.4 DC Contemporary if…
- ✓You want more light and background blur — f/1.4 is faster than f/4, better for low light and subject separation.
- ✓You prefer a fast, compact single focal length — a 15mm prime over a zoom.
- ✓You value portability — at 220g (7.8 oz) it's lighter than the 308g (10.9 oz) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
- ✓You work outdoors — it's weather-sealed against dust and moisture; the other isn't.
Choose the Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS if…
- ✓You need more reach — it goes to 70mm vs 15mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport.
- ✓You want one-lens flexibility — a 16-70mm zoom covers what the fixed 15mm can't reframe.
- ✓You shoot handheld or on an unstabilised body — it has optical stabilisation, the other doesn't.
- ✓You like close-focus work — 0.23x magnification vs 0.15x.
Where they differ
- ›Aperture: the Sigma 15mm F1.4 DC Contemporary opens to f/1.4 vs the Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS's f/4 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.
- ›Focal range: Sigma 15mm F1.4 DC Contemporary is 15mm, Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS is 16-70mm — different framing and reach.
- ›Type: the Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS is a zoom (flexible framing), the Sigma 15mm F1.4 DC Contemporary a prime (one focal length, usually brighter and lighter).
- ›Stabilisation: only the Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS has optical stabilisation — steadier handheld shots, especially on bodies without IBIS.
- ›Weight: the Sigma 15mm F1.4 DC Contemporary is 220g (7.8 oz) vs 308g (10.9 oz) — you'll feel the difference handheld.
- ›Durability: the Sigma 15mm F1.4 DC Contemporary is weather-sealed; the other isn't.
Frequently asked
Is the Sigma 15mm F1.4 DC Contemporary or the Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS better?
These cover different focal lengths — the Sigma 15mm F1.4 DC Contemporary is 15mm, the Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS is 16-70mm — so they're not really substitutes. Pick by the field of view you actually need: the Sigma 15mm F1.4 DC Contemporary for wide-angle, the Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS for standard zoom.
Who should choose the Sigma 15mm F1.4 DC Contemporary?
Choose the Sigma 15mm F1.4 DC Contemporary if you want more light and background blur — f/1.4 is faster than f/4, better for low light and subject separation. Choose it if you prefer a fast, compact single focal length — a 15mm prime over a zoom. Choose it if you value portability — at 220g (7.8 oz) it's lighter than the 308g (10.9 oz) alternative for travel and all-day carry. Choose it if you work outdoors — it's weather-sealed against dust and moisture; the other isn't.
Who should choose the Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS?
Choose the Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS if you need more reach — it goes to 70mm vs 15mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport. Choose it if you want one-lens flexibility — a 16-70mm zoom covers what the fixed 15mm can't reframe. Choose it if you shoot handheld or on an unstabilised body — it has optical stabilisation, the other doesn't. Choose it if you like close-focus work — 0.23x magnification vs 0.15x.
What is the main difference between the Sigma 15mm F1.4 DC Contemporary and the Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS?
Aperture: the Sigma 15mm F1.4 DC Contemporary opens to f/1.4 vs the Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS's f/4 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Optical Design | ||
| Focal Length | 15mm | 16-70mm |
| Lens Type | Prime | Zoom |
| Optical Elements | 13 | 12 |
| Optical Groups | 11 | 9 |
| Aperture & Iris | ||
| Maximum Aperture | f/1.4 | f/4 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/16 | f/22 |
| Aperture Blades | 9 | 7 |
| Rounded Aperture | Yes | No |
| Coverage & Angle | ||
| Format Coverage | APS-C | APS-C |
| Lens Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Angle of View | 82.9° | 83° – 23° |
| 35mm Equivalent | 23-23mm | 24-105mm |
| Focus | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Focus Motor | HLA | DDSSM |
| Focus Limiter | No | No |
| AF/MF Switch | Yes | No |
| Min Focus Distance | 18 cm | 35 cm |
| Max Magnification | 0.15x | 0.23x |
| Stabilization & Video | ||
| Optical Stabilization | No | Yes |
| Aperture Ring | Yes | No |
| Declickable Aperture | Yes | No |
| Parfocal | No | No |
| Internal Zoom | No | No |
| General | ||
| Price (MSRP) | $579 | $649 |
| Filter Size | 58mm | 55mm |
| Diameter | 64mm | 66.6mm |
| Length | 65mm | 75mm |
| Weight | 220g (7.8 oz) | 308g (10.9 oz) |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Tripod Collar | No | No |
