Sony 16-50mm E-Mount lens due on 02/20/13

Sony has started taking pre-orders for the 16-50mm Retractable E-Mount Zoom lens which is due for shipment on the 20th of February next year.

This lens made its first public appearance as a bundled lens for the recently announced NEX-6. During the announcement of the NEX-6, the company also mentioned their plans of making the lens available as a standalone product sometime in the 1st quarter of 2013.

What’s special about this lens is that it’s the company’s first retractable E-mount lens, making it a more ideal kit lens to any NEX camera because of its compact profile. It shares the same aperture range of its bulkier 18-55mm sibling. In addition, the SELP-1650 (16-50mm Retractable E-Mount Zoom lens) is the first Alpha lens with an electrically driven zoom mechanism. Meaning, the lens extends automatically as soon as the users turn the camera on.

Sony SELP-1650 specs:
Focal length (35mm equivalent): 24-75mm
Lens Groups-Elements: 8 groups, 9 elements
Aspheric Elements: 4 aspheric elements
Minimum Focus Distance: 9.8-inch (0.25m)
Image Stabilization: Yes, Lens-based Optical SteadyShot IS
Angle of View: 83° – 32°
Aperture (Max): f/3.5-5.6
Aperture (Min): f/22-36
Aperture Blade: 7 blades (Circular Aperture)
Dimension: 66.7 x 30.2mm
Weight: 116g

The Sony SELP-1650 retails for $349.99 and, as mentioned earlier, will ship starting in mid-February 2013.

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