As one of the oldest compact system camera ranges, the Sony E-mount lens line-up has a range of lenses that will cover the needs of many photographers

Originally launched with the NEX-3 and NEX-5 in May 2010, the Sony E-mount system now includes 15 dedicated lenses. A few of these have even evolved into second-generation models. For example, the original E 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS kit lens has now been replaced by the smaller, lighter E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS, which features an electronic zoom control. Similarly, there are now three different 18-200mm zoom lenses, ranging from the budget E 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS LE to the E PZ 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS, which again includes the addition of an electronic power zoom.

The E-mount lenses tend to be aimed largely at the consumer market, and there are few specialist lenses available. However, some very good prime lenses do feature, including a 35mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.8 and a 30mm f/3.5 Macro, the latter of which offers a 1:1 ratio at the 9.5cm minimum focus distance.

Sony’s partnership with Zeiss also penetrates this lens range, with the highlight being the excellent Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS standard zoom. A retail price of £800 means this lens is not cheap, but when combined with the Alpha 6000 CSC it forms a formidable partnership. If this Zeiss zoom is too much for your budget, then the E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS is a good alternative at £450. Accompanying the Zeiss zoom is the Sonnar T* E 24mm f/1.8 ZA, priced £680.

It is also worth noting that all the Sony FE lenses (full-frame E-mount, see opposite page) will also fit on the standard, APS-C-format, E-mount cameras, although they will have a reduced field of view. On the plus side, this will make the most of the centre of the image frame, which should produce excellent image quality. Proprietary adapters are also available that will allow Sony A-mount lenses to be used, but more on this later.

Third-party options

The popularity of the Sony E-mount system means that a number of third-party manufacturers have jumped on the E-mount production bandwagon. Tamron makes an 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III VC lens that is remarkably similar to the budget Sony 18-200mm optic. Sigma currently produces 19mm, 30mm and 60mm primes, all with f/2.8 apertures. Zeiss also has a range of Touit lenses: the Distagon T* 12mm f/2.8; Planar T* 32mm f/1.8; and Makro Planar T* 50mm f/2.8. Samyang has adapted ten of its lenses, including the 85mm T1.5, 8mm f/2.8 fisheye and 12mm f/2, although it should be noted that these Samyang lenses are manual focus and have no electronic connection for aperture control. However, this does help to keep the price down.

Just as with the standard lenses, all third-party, full-frame E-mount lenses should also work with the E mount. It’s worth double-checking specific lenses if you plan on this approach, though.

Mount adapters

Sony’s LA-EA adapters allow Sony A-mount and, by default, older Minolta A-mount lenses to be used. These proprietary adapters feature an electronic connection to allow aperture control, and AF with SAM and SSD lenses. The LA-EA4 has the added bonus of featuring a pellicle mirror, AF sensor and drive motor, much like Sony’s range of SLT cameras. This means that the Alpha lenses can be used with phase-detection AF, which can often make them focus faster than an E-mount lens on an older NEX camera that only features contrast-detection AF.

There are any number of third-party adapters available that will allow other SLR lenses to be mounted, although most will be manual focus only and require the lens to have an aperture ring.

What’s missing?

A notable gap in the range is longer telephoto zooms, although these are generally not the type
of lens that the average E-mount user will require. The LA-EA adapters get round this by enabling the use of A-mount lenses. It would also be nice to see some more Zeiss primes, perhaps a 50mm f/1.4 or a 35mm f/1.8.

Top lenses

Samyang-85mm-T1.5-AS-IF-UMC-II

Samyang 85mm T1.5 AS IF UMC II – £320

Due shortly, this video lens will be great for portrait photographers, and particularly those who
want to shoot video

Sony-E-16mm-f2.8Sony E 16mm f/2.8 – £170

A good companion for when you want to travel light

Sony-e-30mm-F3.5-Macro

Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro – £175

An affordable standard lens that doubles as a macro optic

Sony-E-55-210mm-f4.5

Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS – £230

A good starting point for telephoto images, and reasonably priced

Sony-E-PZ-18-105mm-f4-G-OSS

Sony E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS – £450

Cheaper than the Zeiss zoom, and with more reach, this power zoom lens is also great for video

Sony-E-PZ-18-200mm

Sony E PZ 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS – £900

A good all-rounder, although it comes at a price

Sony-Zeiss-Sonnar-T-E-24mm

Sony Zeiss Sonnar T* E 24mm f/1.8 ZA – £680

This 35mm equivalent lens offers excellent image quality

Sony-Zeiss-Vario-Tessar-T-E-16-70mm

Sony Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS – £800

If you are after an excellent standard zoom lens, this is the one to get, though it comes at a price

Tamron-18-200mmTamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III VC – £470

If the Sony PZ version is a little too expensive, check out this Tamron alternative, with excellent image stabilisation

Zeiss-Touit-12mm-lens

Zeiss Distagon T* 12mm f/2.8 E Touit – £750

A beautifully crafted, wideangle, manual-focus lens