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Article ID : 00272299 / Last Modified : 22/11/2021

What do the letters and numbers in the lens name mean?

    IMPORTANT: This article applies only to specific products and/or operating systems. Check Applicable Products and Categories for details.

    The letters and numbers in the lens name indicate the focal length, F-value, and certain lens features, among other things.

    E-mount lens names

    Image indicating Focal length (1), F-value (2) and the name of an E-mount lens (3) 

    • 1: Focal length: When this value is a range, the lens is a zoom lens. When this value is a single number, the lens is a single focus lens.
    • 2: F-value: Indicates the speed of the lens.
    • 3: SEL: E-mount lens names start with SEL.

    Note: The F-value in the name of a lens corresponds to the F-value when the lens is wide open (the minimum F-value). The smaller the value, the faster the lens is. For details, please refer to Aperture (F-number) and A-Mode.

    Codes typically used at the beginning of an E-mount lens name 

    • E: This code denotes a lens for a camera with an APS-C size image sensor. When the lens has been mounted on a camera equipped with a 35 mm full-frame image sensor, the view angle is cropped to APS-C size.
    • PZ: Power zoom.
    • FE: Lens compatible with a camera with a 35 mm full-frame image sensor.
    • Sonnar T (etc.): Included at the beginning of a Carl Zeiss lens name.

    Codes typically used at the end of an E-mount lens name

    • G: G lens.
    • ZA: Carl Zeiss lens.
    • Macro: Macro lens.
    • OSS: In-lens optical camera-shake compensation function.
    • LE: Light Edition (lightening and downsizing have been achieved in this edition).

    A-mount lens names

    Image indicating Focal length (1), F-value (2) and the name of an E-mount lens (3)

    • 1: Focal length: When this value is a range, the lens is a zoom lens. When this value is a single number, the lens is a single focus lens.
    • 2: F-value: Indicates the speed of the lens.
    • 3: SAL: A-mount lens names start with SAL.

    Note: The F-value in the name of a lens corresponds to the F-value when the lens is wide open (the minimum F-value). The smaller the value, the faster the lens is. For details, please refer to Aperture (F-number) and A-Mode.

    Codes typically used at the beginning of an A-mount lens name 

    • DT: Denotes a lens for a camera with an APS-C-size image sensor. A lens whose name has no DT at the beginning is compatible with a camera with a 35 mm full-frame image sensor.
    • Sonnar T (etc.): Included at the beginning of a Carl Zeiss lens name.

    Codes typically used at the end of an A-mount lens name 

    • G: G lens.
    • ZA: Carl Zeiss lens.
    • Macro: Macro lens.
    • Fisheye: Fisheye lens.
    • SSM: Stands for Super Sonic wave Motor.
    • SAM: Stands for Smooth Autofocus Motor.
      • Note:  SSM and SAM are types of autofocus drive control systems.

    Lens compatibility 

    Please keep in mind the following points, which might apply to your lens and camera body combination:

    • Firmware of the lens or camera body may need to be updated.
    • Some functions may not be available.
    • Some precautions or limitations may apply when using the products.

    Refer to the Lens - Compatibility Information page for additional lens and compatibility information.