Canon EF Lens to Sony E-Mount Camera Adapter Guide

Canon EF Lens to Sony E-Mount Camera Adapters

Here’s a round-up of Auto Focus Canon EF Smart Adapters and Manual Focus Canon EF lens adapters for Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras including Sony a7, a7R, a7S, a7 II, a7R II, a7S II, a7 III, a7R III, a9, Sony a5000, a5100, a6000, a6300, a6400, a6500 and Sony NEX mirrorless cameras.

Auto Focus Canon EF Lens Smart Adapters

Fastest AF is achieved using a7 II, a7R II, a7 III, a7R III, a9, a6300, a6400, a6500 which allow PDAF AF-C and AF-S with third-party lenses in still photography mode.

Other Sony mirrorless bodes offer slowish AF-S at best with Canon EF and EF-S lenses making them too slow for sports action – but they work fine for portraits and landscape still photography.

Video AF is only possible using the advanced mode on Metabones Smart Adapters and Sigma MC-11.

Two AutoFocus Canon EF and EF-S lens Smart Adapters stand out above the rest.

Metabones-Smart-Adapter-IV-lens-adapterMetabones Canon EF to Sony E-Mount T Smart Adapter V ($399)
Metabones is the original – and most popular – AF Smart lens adapter for Canon EOS to Sony E-mount.This is my adapter of choice as it’s the only Smart Adapter that gets regular user-installable firmware updates that improve AF performance with many Canon EF lenses not supported by cheaper adapters.

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Sigma-MC-11-lens-adapterSigma MC-11 EF Mount Converter for Sony E-mount ($249)
Enables all native AF functions including Eye AF, Lock-on AF and Video AF with Sigma EF-mount Art, Contemporary and Sport lenses on Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras. This adapter also supports auto-exposure, in-camera lens correction, in-camera image stabilization and retains full EXIF data. Interior is flocked to reduce reflections. An integrated LED can be used to display select Sigma lens compatibility with the adapted camera body. This adapter also gets user-installable firmware updates, but please note that Sigma firmware updates are aimed on improving performance of Sigma EF lenses – not Canon or other brands.

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Budget Canon EF Smart Adapters

I STRONGLY recommend the first two adapters listed above, but I’m often asked for ‘budget options’. Here are two options that work fairly well with most lenses – but unlike Metabones and Sigma MC-11, these adapters are NOT as consistent across the entire line of EF glass.

commlite-ef-e-hs-lens-adapterHigh-Speed Commlite CM-EF-E HS Lens Adapter ($159)
Commlite CM-EF-E HS lens adapter is the best of the sub-$200 Smart Adapters since it supports Phase Detection AF for faster AF. Users can switch between PDAD and Contrast AF by pressing the Focus Mode Button on the side of the adapter. CM-EF-E HS firmware update system is user-upgradeable via a USB port on the side of the adapter.

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fotodiox-canon_ef-pro-fusion-smart-af-adapterFotodioX Canon EF Lens Pro Fusion Smart AF Adapter ($100)
While it lacks Phase Detection and video AF support or user-installable firmware updates, this adapter does offer full electronic communication. With AF speed similar to the third-generation Metabones Smart Adapter III, this adapter works well with many – BUT NOT ALL – Canon EF lenses.

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There are other Canon AF Smart Adapters on the market. I do not recommend any of them. Buyer Beware.


Manual Focus Canon EF Lens Adapters

Fotodiox-ND-Canon-EOS-to-Sony-E-lens-adapterFotodioX Vizelex ND Throttle Adapter for Canon EF to Sony E Mount ($100)
This Canon EF and EF-S adapter features a built-in 10-stop variable neutral density filter to control the amount of light entering the camera. An ND filter enables shooting in bright daylight while still using wide apertures for shallow depth of field. It also helps with fast exposure adjustments when going from bright to low light. A bright blue metal ring manually adjusts the filter from ND2-ND1000 (2-stop to 10-stop) which is a very cool feature for filmmakers and still photographers who want to shoot wide open in bright light.

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Fotodiox-Canon-EF-to-Sony-E-Iris-control-lens-adapterFotodioX Adapter for Canon EF to Sony E-Mount (with Iris Control) ($70)
This Fotodiox adapter allows Canon EF lenses to attach to Sony E-Mount cameras. This adapter also has a built in iris control which allows for some degree of control over the light coming in from the lens. Canon EOS lenses use an electronic aperture which will not function with an adapter, the built-in clickless iris control enables the lens to still be used with some functionality.

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APS-C Speed Booster Canon EF Lens Adapters

Speed Boosters are 0.71x focal converters that reduce a full-frame image to APS-C. They’re compatible with Sony APS-C mirrorless cameras like a6300, a6000, a5100, a5000 and NEX. They can also be used in APS-C or Super 35 Crop Mode with a7 Series cameras – but they will NOT cover fullframe.

Metabones-Speed-Booster-Canon-EF-Sony-E-APS-C Metabones T Speed Booster Ultra 0.71x Adapter for Canon Full-Frame EF Lens to Sony E-Mount APS-C Cameras ($649) condenses the light from a lens designed for 35mm film or “full frame” camera sensors and projects it onto a Sony E-mount APS-C sensor. This allows a Sony E-mount APS-C sensor to utilize more of the light gathered by a connected lens, which effectively reduces the crop factor while making available to the sensor an additional 1 stop of light for each of the lens’s f/stop settings.

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READ MORE: SONY a7R II CANON SMART ADAPTER TESTS

For more tips and tricks about getting the most out of your Sony a7 series camera, check out my book ‘Sony a7-Series: From Snapshots to Great Shots’. It’s your guide to all of the Sony a7 Series I & II cameras. While the camera manual explains what the camera can do, it doesn’t show how to use the camera to create great images! Starting with the Top Ten things users need to know about the cameras, author Brian Smith, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer and Sony Artisan of Imagery, carefully guides you through the operating features of Sony a7, a7R, a7S, a7II and a7RII and how to use them. Get practical advice from a pro on which settings to use when, great shooting tips, and assignments at end of chapter to practice what you’ve just learned.

‘Sony A7 Series: From Snapshots to Great Shots’ is available NOW from Amazon

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38 thoughts on “Canon EF Lens to Sony E-Mount Camera Adapter Guide”

  1. Hi Brian, appreciate all the info you have on your site.
    I have switched from canon to Sony A7II.
    I have the canon mount 17-40mmL and 90mm macro by Tamron and are using via the metabones EF-E mark IV. Both the metabones and the Sony have both been updated with latest firmware.

    Issue I’m having is both Steadyshot & Focus Magnifier are greyed out with both these lenses. They both work with the Sony FE 24-240mm.

    This is very frustrating as defeats the benefits of the Sony and the marketing saying you can use adapted glass.

    Have you come across this issue before and / or know how to resolve it ??
    Many thanks

    1. SteadyShot is grayed out in the menu whenever the lens has a physical IS/OSS switch. Use that switch it control SteadyShot On/Off.

      Focus Assist will not work with third party lenses but you can assign Focus Magnification to C1 or C2 and press that to zoom in while in MF mode.

      1. Hey Brian, thanks for response.
        Unfortunately neither of these work. The canon 17-40mm lens does not have IS and the Tamron 90mm macro has the VC turned off, but in both instances Steadyshit is greyed out and unavailable.
        Similar I have the focus magnifier set to C2 button, when pressed the error message states “not available in this focus mode”.
        With the metabones attached there are only 2 focus modes available AF-C (continuous) & AF-S (single), in both these modes I get the same error message with both the canon and Tamron lens.
        Any other ideas for how to get these features working..?
        Thanks a lot

        1. You’re not following me. The switch on the lens controls IS – NOT the camera menu.

          Focus Magnification will only work if the lens is in manual focus mode. Otherwise you get that warning.

  2. Hey Brian,

    Issues resolved.
    I have been able to get the Focus Magnifier to work by turning lens switch to MF as you said. Coming from Canon i’m use to being able to override with manual focus even with AF on, but guess this ability isn’t supported by other manufacturers, something to get use to.

    With the IBIS i have also got this to work. Originally i had the “SteadyShot Adjust” set to “Auto” (In Camera Settings – Tab 7). By setting this to “Manual” it then allows me to turn the IBIS “SteadyShot” to “ON” and then select the Focal Length etc…

    So many setting to get use to but in the end, all working fine and achieving sharp handheld shot at 90mm down to 1/10 sec.

    Thanks a lot

  3. Pingback: Canon Announces TS-E 135mm, 90mm, 50mm Macro Lenses

  4. Brian,

    Quick question. Does Canon/Sigma lens stabilization work with the a6300, or would I need the a6500’s IBIS to stabilize adapted lenses? I think I know the answer but have not seen a definitive yes or no answer.

    Thanks in advance and for all the great info on this site.

    1. Yes, BUT…activating in-lens IS will draw power away from AF. You’ll get better AF and better Image Stabilization if you use an IBIS body + Metabones Smart Adapter since only Metabones adapters allow you to turn IS in the lens and allow the camera to handle that function.

  5. hi brian my hubby bought me a canon zoo lens ef 70-200 i read your reviews about adapters and bought the siga mount its not lighting up so its not compatible
    is there soething i missed

  6. Hi Brian, You tried on one of the adaptors old canon L EF 100-300 f5.6 or 80-200 f2.8 with an lens? At which one does AF work?

  7. What is creating the $150 price differential between the Metabones product and the Sigma product? Is it justified?

    1. Sigma is in the lens business. Before biting the bullet and and announcing their fullframe E-mount lenses, Sigma released MC-11 as a stop-gap option to sell their Sigma EF mount lenses to Sony E-mount users.

      Metabones is in the Adapter business. They sell adapters – not lenses – and they support their Smart Adapters with unquestionably the best firmware updates in the industry. If you’re shooting with Sigma EF Art, Contemporary or Sport lenses, MC-11 is generally your best bet. Otherwise I recommend Metabones T Smart Adapter V

  8. Hi Brian, I understand that EF-S lenses are especially built for APS-C sensors, but is there any disadvantage by using a EF lens with a APS-C sensor such as an a5100? Thanks

  9. With the Fotodiox, even with camera switched off, for some strange reason my A7III battery loses 15% charge a day with my 70-200mm f2.8 L lens attached. But is OK with my 24 = 70mm f 2.8 L lens

        1. That just means the setting is not accessible. Remove the lens and set Pre-AF > Off and leave it that way. You might also want to experiment with turning lens IS off to see if that’s the culprit. Fotodiox Firmware is buggier than Metabones so it my require a bit of trial and error.

  10. Hi, My 70-120 f2,8 Canon still drains my A7III battery about 15% a day with fotodiox !
    I checked the auto AF as u suggested & it is already off.

    1. Sorry double post. Can’t delete messages.
      Anyway pre AF says ‘not valid for this lens’ whether I have my Canon 24-70, or Canon 70-200 attached or even with no lens. Says same thing. So probably can only be adjusted or switched on/off with Sony lens attached. Meantime it’s just greyed out

    2. You might also try turning of lens Image Stabilization if it has it. Beyond that…there’s a reason why Fotodiox is the budget option on this list. They don’t invest any time in testing and software updates like Metabones does.

      1. Thanks, as matter of interest I tried turning of IS on lens & also AF to no avail.
        It’s a shame as no other issues so far with Fotodiox on any other lenses.
        In your experience is the Metabones one better ?
        I guess it ought to be

  11. Hi, I checked the auto AF as u suggested & it is already off.
    Ref my 70-120 f2,8 Canon draining my A7III battery about 15% a day with fotodiox !

  12. Brian — if I stick a Metabones adapter on a Sony AR7III for my EF lenses, what effect will that have on the focal length and how much of the Sony sensor will get ‘cropped’ out. Not sure cropped is the correct term but there must be some effect on pixel coverage.
    Thanks for your help and expertise.

  13. There are 100 Canon EOS lens to Sony E Mount Camera adapters. Are there any Canon EF-M lens to Sony E Mount Camera adapters? Ebay sent me a Rokinon 12mm lens with a Canon Mount instead of the Sony E Mount lens I ordered. Had I known this was among the 3 most difficult lens/camera combinations of the 500 or more possible, I’d have returned the lens ASAP.

  14. I don’t use any of the adapters, but I just want to say you do a great service to the community by providing all this assistance.

  15. Hi Brian. Appreciate your shared expertise on Sony e mount cameras and Canon EF lens adapters. Have you ever tried the Viltrox V or IV or the Sigma MC-11 on Canon 100-400 4.5-5.6L IS USM? I have a Sony a7Riii as well as a7Rii. Thank you.

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