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
- 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 prime/single-focus lens.
- 2: F-value: Indicates the aperture of the lens.
- 3: SEL: E-mount lens names start with SEL.
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: Denotes power zoom.
- FE: Denotes a 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: This code denotes a G lens.
- GM: Denotes a Sony Premium G-Master Series lens.
- ZA: Denotes a Carl Zeiss lens.
- Macro: Denotes a Macro lens.
- OSS: Denotes an In-lens optical camera-shake compensation function.
- LE: Denotes a Light Edition lens. Lighter weight and downsizing have been achieved in this edition.
A-mount lens names
- 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 aperture of the lens.
- 3: SAL: A-mount lens names start with SAL.
Codes typically used at the beginning of an A-mount lens name
- DT: This code 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: This code denotes a G lens.
- ZA: Denotes a Carl Zeiss lens.
- Macro: Denotes a Macro lens.
- Fisheye: Denotes a Fisheye lens.
- SSM: Denotes a Super Sonic wave Motor.
- SAM: Denotes a 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:
- The 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.