What do all the letters and numbers in the lens names mean?

The letters and numbers in the lens name indicate the focal length, F-value, features of the lens, and so on.

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: This is the aperture of the lens.
• 3: E-mount lenses start with SEL.

Typical codes used at the beginning of a lens’ name:

• E - This denotes a lens for a camera with an APS-C size image sensor. When the lens has been mounted on a camera that is equipped with a 35 mm full-frame image sensor, the angle of view is cropped to APS-C size.

• PZ - This denotes power zoom.

• FE - This denotes a lens compatible with a camera with a 35 mm full-frame image sensor.

• Sonnar T (etc.) - This is inserted at the beginning of a Carl Zeiss lens’ name.

Typical codes used at the end of a lens name:

• G - This denotes a G lens.
• GM - This denotes a Sony Premium G-Master Series lens.
• ZA - This denotes a Carl Zeiss lens designed for Alpha cameras.
• Macro - This denotes a Macro lens.
• OSS - This denotes an in-lens optical camera-shake compensation function.
• LE - This 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: This is the aperture of the lens.
• 3: A-mount lenses start with SAL.

Typical codes used at the beginning of a lens’ name

• DT - This 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.) - This is inserted at the beginning of a Carl Zeiss lens’ name.

Typical codes used at the end of a lens name

• G - This denotes a G lens.
• ZA - This denotes a Carl Zeiss lens designed for Alpha cameras.
• Macro - This denotes a Macro lens.
• Fisheye - This denotes a Fisheye lens.
• SSM - This denotes a Super Sonic wave Motor.
• SAM - This denotes a Smooth Autofocus Motor.

Note: SSM and SAM are types of autofocus drive control systems.

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

Note: The following depend on the combination of lens and camera body:

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

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