Choosing the first interchangeable lens is a big step for you in the world of photography. Once you get the Sony camera on hand, you need to buy a lens that perfectly fits it. But how do I know if a lens is compatible with my Sony camera?
Not even all Sony lenses will fit your camera depending on if it’s DSLR or mirrorless camera. So, you need to consider the lens mount and sensor size into account. Additionally. Sony’s support website helps you find which Sony lens is compatible with the camera.
If you’re in trouble finding a compatible lens for your camera and don’t know how to choose one, this article is worth reading. So, let’s start with it!
What is Lens Mount and Types of Sony Lens Mount?
Okay, the joining point where the lens connects to the camera is called the lens mount.
Every lens manufacturer designs different lenses to be compatible with the lens mount of the specific models of their cameras.
Also, there are third-party manufacturers who make lenses for particular models.
Based on the lens mount, there are three types of Sony lenses.
A Mount
This is the oldest mount lens type from Sony and they have recently stopped producing A-mount DSLRs. It means that there should not be any more camera bodies from the manufacturer that would support the mount.
This mount was widely popular before the age of interchangeable mirrorless cameras. A-mount lenses will still work with Sony cameras if you connect an adapter recommended from the manufacturer itself.
FE Mount
If you have a full-frame Sony camera such as A1 or A7, this FE lens will work with those.
The FE mount is actually the E-mount that provides the full image circle large enough to house full-frame sensors.
It will also work with smaller sensors, for example, the Sony A6600 with a sacrifice of the range of the image circle.
E Mount
Sony’s mirrorless journey has begun with the APS-C cameras and the E mount is just for the cameras. The E and FE mounts are sometimes being introduced simultaneously so that you can get the full-frame coverage in case of using a full-frame camera body.
E-mount lenses are rathe smaller and more inexpensive than the FE models as they don’t require making as large images as the full-frame sensors do. However, you may sometimes attach an E-mount lens to your full-frame body and use it in crop mode.
Does Sensor Size Have an Effect on My Lens Choice?
Not all lenses create the same image circle to cover the sensors. The size of the sensors matters when it comes to interchangeable lens cameras namely, full-frame and APS-C. The full-frame lens can produce the same size of an image captured on a 35mm film, while the other is about 25% smaller.
The full-frame lenses, however, work just fine with the smaller sensors, except that the generated image will seem like zoomed-in as compared to that you would get from a full-frame sensor.
This is because the small sensor will capture a small portion of the lens’s image circle due to its small sensor size.
If you own a 50mm full-frame sensor size lens and you mount it on an APS-C lens, it will capture the image as though you are using a 75mm lens. This means it will crop the image circle in real-time and the image looks like zoomed in.
Nevertheless, the cropped-sized sensors are smaller and cheaper as compared to their full-frame siblings. So, if you’re a newbie, one of these would be a great one to start with.
What Lens are Compatible with Sony?
Not all lenses are compatible with your Sony camera and it even goes for the Sony lenses as well. This is because the sensor size of the lens and camera should match with each other to work properly.
In order to check the compatibility, you can search for it on Sony’s official website. You need to follow the following steps:
- Go to the search bar and enter your camera model on the Support website. Make sure you enter the correct name of the model including the (-) sign as well. This helps you find the correct model.
- Select the camera model you require and ensure that the ALL tab is selected.
- Scroll down through the page until you see the Lens Compatibility option.
- Click on the compatibility link to get to know which lenses are compatible with your camera.
Can I Use Third-Party Lenses on My Camera?
Well, sometimes we find that people are using a lens that doesn’t share the same brand identity as the camera he’s using. There are in fact popular third-party lens makers such as Sigma, Tamron, or Tokina produce some good quality lenses that are cheaper than Sony’s one and are sometimes a better option than the first-party one.
If you’re willing to buy a third-party lens to use with the Sony camera, make sure the lens is compatible with the camera’s mount and sensor size in the first place. Do some research before buying and I’m sure you’re going to be just fine. If you have a Sony ZV-E10 and want to use a third-party lens, do canon lenses work on Sony ZV-E10 would be worth reading.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you put any lens on a Sony camera?
You can’t use any random lens on a Sony camera. This is because you need to consider the sensor type and size while putting it on a camera.
2. Do all Sony lenses fit all Sony cameras?
Not all Sony lenses fit all Sony cameras. See the best prime lens for Sony A6000.
3. Can I Use a Full Frame E-Mount Lens on a Camera with an APS-C Size Sensor?
Yes, you may use an FE lens on an E-mount camera with an APS-C sensor. The image will be automatically cropped due to the cropped size.
Final Words
The kit lens that comes with the camera is good to start with but you may want to explore more by putting on a prime or zoom lens. That’s why it is important to know which lens is compatible with your camera.
I hope the article concerning how do I know if a lens is compatible with my Sony camera helps you find the right lens for your camera. If it does, don’t forget to share it with your friends. Thanks for coming up to this. Happy clicking!