Cameras Ranked

55 Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA

The Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA is a prime lens for Sony E-mount (Full frame) that covers 55 mm at f/1.8, weighs 281 g and focuses as close as 0.5 m. Next to 10 other full frame Sony E-mount prime lenses in its focal range, it suits you if you carry it all day or travel light. If you want a wider view at the short end, look at the Sony FE 50mm F1.8. If you shoot in low light or want a blurrier background, every other one that does better on brightness gives up weight.

  • f/1.8widest aperture
  • 281 gweight
  • 51bodies it fits
To one scale. Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA: length 70.5 mm, diameter 64.4 mm, filter thread 49 mm.70.5 mmø64.4
To scale from the maker's length and diameter, the mount on the left and the filter thread in yellow at the front. The rings are drawn, not measured.

Compare it with another lensAll Sony E-mount lenses

To one scale. Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA: length 70.5 mm, diameter 64.4 mm, filter thread 49 mm.70.5 mmø64.4
To scale from the maker's length and diameter, the mount on the left and the filter thread in yellow at the front. The rings are drawn, not measured.

Where it sits

11 lenses

Full frame Sony E-mount prime lenses in its focal range that state each value, this one included. Each tick is one; the thick one is this one.

Bodies it fits

51 bodies

All cameras, by maker and mount

Specifications

Focal length
55 mm1
Widest aperture
f/1.81
Closest focus
0.5 m2
Maximum magnification
0.14x2
Stabilization
No
Mount
Sony E-mount2
Covers
Full frame
Type
Prime
Weight
281 g2
Length
70.5 mm2
Diameter
64.4 mm2
Filter thread
49 mm2
Elements
72
Groups
52
Aperture blades
92
Hood
ALC-SH1312

Sources

  1. Wikidata, checked Oct 9, 2026 (CC0 1.0)
  2. Sony Japan lens specifications (sony.jp), checked Oct 6, 2026

Worked out by code, not stated by a source

  • Read from the lens name: each maker marks the sensor size a lens covers (Sony FE/E, Canon RF/RF-S, Nikon DX, Tamron Di III/Di III-A, Sigma DG/DC); every Fujifilm X lens is APS-C and every Micro Four Thirds lens is Four Thirds.
  • Read from the lens name: Sony marks optically stabilized lenses OSS, Canon IS, Nikon VR, Fujifilm OIS, Panasonic O.I.S., Tamron VC and Sigma OS; a lens from these makers without the mark has no optical stabilization.
  • Prime or zoom, read from the focal length in the lens name.

Each value is checked automatically against the source it links, on the date shown. How we build these pages

† The makers' own tables, row by row, with labels in our plain words (translated where the maker's page isn't in English); each row's numbers are checked against the page it links.

Full specifications†

Show all 23 rows
Full specificationsSony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA2
Product nameSonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA
Model numberSEL55F18Z
Lens mountSony E-mount
Compatible sensor size35mm full size
Focal length55 mm
Equivalent focal length82.5 mm (APS-C size sensor)
Lens construction5 groups, 7 elements
Angle of view29 degrees (APS-C format)
Angle of view43 degrees (35mm format)
Maximum apertureF1.8
Minimum apertureF22
Diaphragm blades9
Circular diaphragmyes
Minimum focusing distance0.5 m
Maximum magnification ratio0.14
Filter size49 mm
Hood typepetal-shaped bayonet type
Dimensions64.4 x 70.5 mm
Weight281 g
Included hood modelALC-SH131
Included front capyes
Included rear capyes
Included casesoft case

How the pick works

  1. Widest aperture3

    Lower wins once they are 0.3 apart.

  2. Weight2

    Lower wins from a 12% gap.

  3. Focal length (longest)2

    Higher wins from a 15% gap.

  4. Focal length (widest)2

    Lower wins once they are 2 mm apart.

  5. Optical stabilization1

    Having it wins.

  6. Closest focus, wide end1

    Lower wins from a 15% gap. Compared only between lenses of the same focal length (widest).

  7. Filter thread0.5

    Lower wins once they are 5 mm apart.

  8. Lead for a pick1

Our pick or our take adds up the importance of each real difference, with these importances and thresholds: a gap smaller than its row's threshold is too close to call and counts as the same. They are our editorial choice, not a measurement, the same on every page, and they never read prices, sales or who sells it.

Paid placements0

How we rank, in full