Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA

The Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA is a fast standard prime lens for Sony's new 35mm full-frame E-mount camera system. The FE 55mm offers an extra-bright F1.8 maximum aperture, 9-blade circular aperture, dust and moisture resistance, and a unique T* surface coating. Is the Carl Zeiss FE 55mm the perfect partner for the Sony A7/7R cameras? Read our Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA review to find out...

Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA - Review / Test Report

Sony Zeiss 55mm f/1.8 Sonnar T* Review | Photographer Dustin Abbott shares a thorough, real world review of the very competent little Sonnar 55mm for Sony. Photos and video support his conclusions.

The FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* is one of the first three lenses available for Sony's full-frame E-mount system, having been announced alongside the Alpha 7 and 7R camera bodies. It's a slightly long 'normal' prime designed for everyday photography, and its relatively fast F1.8 aperture makes it a good choice for selective focus work or shooting in low light. Its 7-element, 5-group optical design includes three aspherical elements to minimise aberrations, which is unusual for this type of lens.

For this independent review I bought the Sony Zeiss FE 1.8/55 ZA and used it for a period of several months during which I performed many tests and used it in a wide range of applications.

Looking for a Sony 55mm lens review? Read on to find out what we uncovered in our objective optical lab tests.