Sony Announces FE 35mm F1.8 Prime Lens

Sony FE 35mm F1.8 lens review

Sony FE 35mm F1.8 ($748) offers excellent image quality at a moderate price. Linear XD Autofocus not only provides extremely fast and responsive AF and allows the lens to be lighter and smaller than the competition.

Highlights:

• Large F1.8 maximum aperture
• High-resolution and large-aperture, full-frame performance in compact and lightweight lens
• Internal focusing mechanism effectively minimizes focus breathing
• Advanced optical construction includes an aspherical element to suppress aberration and deliver high resolution throughout the entire image
• Lens construction: 9 groups, 11 elements, including one aspherical lens element to suppress aberration and handle higher resolution
• 9-blade circular aperture enhances beautiful bokeh
• Minimum focus distance of 0.22m and maximum magnification of 0.24x offer easy access to the world of close-up photography
• Linear Response Manual Focus provides high responsiveness and accuracy in manual focus
• Conveniently placed, customizable focus hold button and a focus mode switch for instantaneous switching between auto and manual focus
• Dust and moisture resistant design
• Aluminum based exterior with some plastic parts for high durability without added weight
• Quiet AF with excellent tracking for movies as well as stills
• Fast, precise and quiet linear-motor AF drive system for both stills and continuous focus control
• MSRP: $749.99 USD

Specs:

Focal Length: 35mm
Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
Minimum Aperture: Not Specified by Manufacturer
Lens Mount: Sony E
Format Compatibility: Full-Frame
Maximum Magnification: 0.24x
Minimum Focus Distance: 8.7″ / 22.1 cm
Diaphragm: 9 Blades (Rounded)
Focus Type: Autofocus
Image Stabilization: None
Filter Size: 55mm
Dimensions (ø x L): 2.58 x 2.87″ / 65.6 x 73.0 mm
Weight: 9.9 oz / 281 g

Sony FE 35mm F1.8 lens review

Mirrorless Lens Comparisons:


Here’s how Sony FE 35mm F1.8 stacks up to comparable mirrorless lenses from Canon & Nikon

Weight:

Sony FE 35mm F1.8 Lens: Weight: 9.9 oz / 281 g
Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM Lens: Weight: 10.8 oz / 305 g
Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S Lens: 13.1 oz / 370 g

Size:

Sony FE 35mm F1.8 Lens: Diameter x Length: 2.58 x 2.87″ / 65.6 x 73mm
Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM Lens: Diameter x Length: 2.9 x 2.5″ / 74.4 x 62.8 mm
Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S Lens: Diameter x Length: 2.87 x 3.39″ / 73 x 86 mm

Price:

Sony FE 35mm F1.8 Lens ($748)
Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM Lens ($499)
Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S Lens ($847)

Sony FE 35mm F1.8 ($748) falls between the price of the Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S ($847) & Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM ($499) – though I wish it was priced closer to the Canon than Nikon.

FE Lens Size & Weight Comparisons:

FE 35mm Lens Size & Weight comparisons
Here’s how Sony FE 35mm F1.8 stacks up against other FE lenses

Weight:

Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA Lens: Weight: 4.2 oz / 120 g
Sony FE 35mm F1.8 Lens: Weight: 9.9 oz / 281 g
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 ZA Lens: Weight: 22.2 oz / 630 g
Sigma FE 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens: Weight: 24.3 oz / 687.7 g

Size:

Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA Lens: Diameter x Length: 2.42 x 1.44″ / 61.47 x 36.58mm
Sony FE 35mm F1.8 Lens: Diameter x Length: 2.58 x 2.87″ / 65.6 x 73mm
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 ZA Lens: Diameter x Length: 3.1 x 4.4″ / 78.5 x 112mm
Sigma FE 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens: Diameter x Length: 3.03 x 4.72″ / 77 x 120mm

Price:

Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA Lens ($598)
Sony FE 35mm F1.8 Lens ($748)
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 ZA Lens ($998)
Sigma FE 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens ($899)

Sony FE 35mm F1.8 lens review

Lens Configuration

Impressive optical performance for Sony cameras, precision engineered for versatility and reliability in a wide range of applications.

[1] Aspherical lens

MTF Charts:

Sony-FE-35mm-F1.8-MTF Charts

Lens Controls:

Sony-FE-35mm-F1-8-Lens-Controls

Sony FE Compact Sony Prime Lenses:


With the addition of the FE 35mm F1.8, the list of Sony compact prime lenses grows to seven.

Sony FE 28 F2.0 Lens ($448)
Sony FE 35mm F1.8 Lens ($748)
Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA Lens ($598)
Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 Lens ($248)
Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro Lens ($498)
Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Lens ($998)
Sony FE 85 F1.8 Lens ($598)

Order Sony FE 35mm F1.8 from B&H Photo | Amazon | Adorama

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4 thoughts on “Sony Announces FE 35mm F1.8 Prime Lens”

  1. Perhaps the price of this Sony alternative (to the inconsistency of the quality-check of the f1.4 version) will not be the sole argument next to its qualities very long.

    SonyRoumors announced this (extracts):
    “Sigma will launch a new 35mm f/1.2 FE lens soon (could be in July)
    This will be Sigma’s first lens designed specifically for Full Frame mirrorless
    – ..his will be the fastest autofocus lens in the FE lens lineup.
    – Premium construction
    – Lot of HR elements in construction, record low aberrations
    – Record MTF of any FF lens at F1.2
    – Ultra fast and silent AF, made also for video

  2. How does it compare to the fe 2.8 as I imagine that is what most would be upgrading from? Looks like double the weight?

    1. FE 35mm F1.8 Weight: 9.9 oz / 281 g
      FE 35mm F2.8 Weight: 4.2 oz / 120 g

      That’s the difference 1.3 stops makes…

  3. It is so so similar at the today classic Minolta MC rokor hh 35 mm 1.8!. No doubt for me that I will preorder it.

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