About this model
The Sony FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA is a compact standard prime for full-frame E-mount cameras, developed with Zeiss and carrying the Zeiss Sonnar optical design. Its 55mm focal length gives a natural field of view close to how the eye sees, making it a versatile choice for portraits, street, documentary and everyday shooting. The bright f/1.8 maximum aperture gathers plenty of light for low-light work and lets you isolate subjects with shallow depth of field. A linear autofocus motor focuses quickly, smoothly and quietly, which suits both stills and video, and the lens is small and light enough to leave on the camera all day.
Key specs
| Type | Standard prime lens (full frame, Sony E mount) |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 55mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Mount | Sony E (full frame FE) |
| Format | Full frame (also usable on APS-C E-mount, approx. 82.5mm equivalent) |
| Optical design | Zeiss Sonnar, 7 elements in 5 groups |
| Autofocus | Linear motor, internal focusing |
| Filter size | 49mm |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.5m |
| Weight | approx. 281g |
Compatibility
Fits Sony E-mount cameras, full frame and APS-C. On APS-C bodies it gives an approximate 82.5mm equivalent field of view. Uses 49mm screw-in filters and works with Sony's in-camera and lens corrections on compatible bodies.
Questions about this model
Is the Sony FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA good for portraits?
Yes. The 55mm focal length and bright f/1.8 aperture give a natural perspective with smooth background blur, which suits portraits well.
Does it work on APS-C Sony cameras?
Yes, it fits all Sony E-mount bodies. On APS-C it behaves like roughly an 82.5mm lens, a short telephoto.
Is the autofocus quiet enough for video?
Yes. Its linear motor focuses smoothly and quietly, making it suitable for video as well as stills.
