Sony NEX-C3 18-55mm kit zoom Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron Zeiss 50mm f/2 T* Planar
After looking at the m4/3 kit zooms, I decided to have a look at the 18-55mm zoom for the Sony NEX-C3 and compare it with two m-mount lenses I have.
First - Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron
28mm on NEX-C3 comparison test
Second - Zeiss 50mm f/2 T* Planar
50mm on NEX-C3 comparison test
As usual the test was done with the camera and lenses mounted on a tripod. All images were processed identically in Photoshop Adobe Camera Raw. For large versions of the test files - click through to flickr > Actions > View all sizes > Original.
As before here's a side by side comparison, shot at 28mm, with the zoom, on the left, compared to the Voigtlander.
28mm on NEX-C3 comparison test.
Which looks sharper?
I'm not going to make any comment on the 28mm comparison except to say that the "kit zoom" does very well here I think. I'll let you draw your own conclusions however, from the test.
On the 50mm comparison, the Zeiss produces sharper results, but then it is the sharpest lens I've ever owned, so I would expect that. Again though, the zoom does very well, considering all the criticism that Sony e-mount lenses get.
I did a previous post on this zoom here:-
in which I talked about how the lens can produce great results when processed from raw in Capture One Pro. Now the camera is supported by Photoshop and Lightroom (Also recently by Apple and Aperture) I repeat that view again. From what I've seen, I'm not quite sure why this lens comes in for all the criticism that it does, certainly with regard to how sharp it is.
All of this, is of course geared towards the arrival of the NEX-7. There is the question of whether the e-mount lenses are "up to" the challenge of a 24MP sensor. Personally I have no doubts that the 18-55mm "kit lens" will be able to produce good results, having seen what it will do on the NEX-C3 and the results I've seen from the new sensor in the A77. Sony would obviously be scoring an own goal if they turned out a great camera with a mediocre zoom bundled with it in a kit.
So again, have a look at the samples and see what you think.
